By Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_301)
In the first game under interim head coach Mike Locksley, the Terps went to M&T Bank Stadium and played their best football in weeks, yet came up just short as rival Penn State forced a late turnover to seal their 31-30 victory.
“We don’t get to have those,” said Locksley, referring to moral victories. Locksley pointed out that he has been here for five years; being interim head coach doesn’t change anything. “I like the way our team has come together after facing some adversity the last couple weeks, I liked the way our team played very loose, and ran to the ball. We had a lot of guys contribute.”
Junior quarterback Perry Hills once again was the leading rusher for the Terps, logging 26 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. Hills was also able to find some success in the passing game, throwing for 225 yards and a touchdown, but threw three interceptions with the last ending a potential game-winning drive.
“Perry has the moxy that you are looking for at that position,” said Locksley regarding Hills’ on and off the field. “Obviously, he has to execute a little better, take better care of the football…If he does that, Perry is a guy that we can win games with.”
In order for the passing game to open up more for the Terps, they must be able to build off their running game from players besides the quarterback. Running back Brendan Ross has played well over the past few games, and even star cornerback Will Likely has seen some offensive touches as an attempt to get the offense moving.
Locksley stated that the Terps offense was most effective Saturday when they avoided third and long situations. “When we tend to get in trouble is when we fall behind the chains on first down and second down and we are forced to third and long situations, and that’s where the development of Perry we continue to work with,” he said.
“We have to be able to hit the shot plays,” said Locksley, referring to the deep passes the Terps attempted throughout the game Saturday. The Terps were able to connect on a few “shot plays” including a 48-yard pass to Malcolm Culmer and a 43-yard pass to Taivon Jacobs.
The Terps have to convert many ‘shot plays’ this Saturday, as well as play their best game of the season on all three phases if they want to knock off the undefeated #10 Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Iowa is well coached, coach Ferentz does a good job with having those guys very sound,” said Locksley. Locksley went on to say he has faced Iowa several times over the past decade, and that their identity has not changed much at all. “They line up, and they play good, hard, clean football in all three phases.”
Although Iowa is very strong in all three phases of the game, the Terp offense must be ready to face another very good defense. The Terps offense derives off the run, and the Hawkeyes have the third best run-defense in the country.
“I definitely think it will [translate],” said kicker Brad Craddock in response to if the momentum the Terps built against Penn State could carry over to Iowa. “It’s always tough winning on the road, but that is one thing our team enjoys is going in there and [winning].”
Although they have played better, the Terps are desperate and hungry for a win. They have hung around with good teams, and if they play well for four quarters, they have a chance.
“We played for sixty minutes last week, but now we have to take the next step and finish,” said Locklsey. “Finishing entails making plays that are there to be made. We had an opportunity to win the [Penn State] game, and we have to find a way to do it.”
