By Sebastian Obando
Senior running back Brandon Ross lined up to the left of quarterback Caleb Rowe, eyeing the Indiana defense on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage in the first quarter. After receiving the handoff, Ross started to head to his right, before switching direction back to the inside. After seeing the Indiana defense shift with him, Ross cut back again to his right, going untouched for a 79-yard touchdown run. The score was the longest touchdown run by a Terrapin since the 2010 Military Bowl, showcasing the rushing ability Ross possesses.
“I feel like [the 79-yard touchdown run] was huge momentum for me. It’s kind of different in the beginning of the game when the first run is a negative-yardage play or something like that because I feel like it’s all about momentum and rhythm,” Ross said. “So when I got that first run like that it just kick started the day.”
Ross was starting his first game since being replaced by Wes Brown midseason. Brown averaged 4.5 yards per carry this year, while also running for three touchdowns. However, due to Brown receiving a suspension last week, Ross was reinstated as the Terp starter, an opportunity the senior running back did not waste.
Ross finished his career day with two more touchdown runs, a 22-yard dash in the Terps’ next possession, and a 75-yard sprint to start the third quarter. Running for a total of 250 yards on 19 carries, Ross now has 2,375 career rushing yards, placing him ninth in Maryland school history. Moreover, his three scores marks the first time a Maryland player has rushed for three touchdowns in a game since C.J. Brown on Aug. 30, 2014 against James Madison.
Ross’ good fortune, however, did not extend to the rest of the Terps. Junior quarterback Perry Hills was ruled out before the start of the game with mono, while sophomore quarterback Caleb Rowe suffered a concussion in the second quarter.
“Well your game plan has to change entirely. You have to make sure you’re running plays your personnel can run,” offensive lineman Ryan Doyle said regarding how the switch at quarterback affected the game. “We saw an increase in pressure. They definitely wanted to stop the run because that’s how we were getting points; off a quick runs and letting Brandon [Ross] do his thing.”
With running back Wes Brown still under suspension, Ross will be looking to replicate his performance against Rutgers this Saturday. The Scarlet Knights are the third worst rush defense in the Big 10 this season, allowing 166.5 yards per game. Moreover, Rutgers has allowed 27 rushing touchdowns this season, the most in the Big Ten.
