In what head coach D.J. Durkin called the Terps’ “sloppiest game so far this season,” Maryland fell at home to Minnesota 31-10 over the weekend and is now 4-2 on the year and 1-2 in the Big Ten.
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Turnovers and penalties hurt the Terps throughout the game against the Golden Gophers, and having an inexperienced backup quarterback under center only made matters worse for Maryland.
After experiencing consecutive losses for the first time as a head coach, Durkin and his team are now looking to right the ship and correct some of the mistakes that have led to the Terps’ issues.
With another conference home game with Michigan State up next on Maryland’s schedule, here’s the latest installment of The 3-2-1.
Three things we learned
1 -- Ty Pigrome is still a work in progress as a passer
It was to the surprise of many when just minutes before kickoff on Saturday it was announced that true freshman Ty Pigrome would start at quarterback for the Terps instead of senior Perry Hills, who had started every game up to that point. Hills re-injured an already banged up shoulder in Maryland’s loss to Penn State the week prior and had been questionable to play leading up to the matchup with the Golden Gophers. Although Hills was medically cleared to play, Durkin opted to give Pigrome the first start of his career. Pigrome showed some good and bad, but if we’re being honest, there was much more to be concerned than excited about.
The play distribution numbers are a bit skewed because Maryland was forced to pass a lot late in the game while playing from behind, but the Terps’ already run-heavy offense became even more so with Pigrome at the helm and that’s because the Alabama native’s accuracy and decision making as a passer lacked a lot to be desired. Pigrome completed 18 of his 37 pass attempts for 161 yards, and while he did have a nice touchdown throw to wide receiver D.J. Moore in the fourth quarter, the rookie quarterback was also responsible for three Terps turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble). Pigrome showed good arm strength and that he can thread the needle sometimes on short to intermediate routes, but his deep ball lacked touch, which showed on numerous occasions against Minnesota when he overthrew open receivers down field by a considerable amount.
2 -- There’s an ongoing competition in Maryland’s secondary
True freshman wide receiver turned defensive back Tino Ellis got his first start of his college career last Saturday, replacing sophomore JC Jackson in Maryland’s secondary. Ellis platooned with Jackson throughout the game as the Terps’ second outside cornerback opposite of Alvin Hill. But Ellis appeared to get even more run than Jackson and has proven to be a more natural defensive back than wideout. This revelation dates back to Ellis’ senior year at Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic when he was much more effective on defense than he was on offense for the Stags. Ellis has good size and speed to play cornerback at the college level, and his understanding of the wide receiver position should only help his anticipation of routes and throws. He showed some of that skill against Minnesota with two pass break ups.
After the game, Hill told TSR that the platoon between Ellis and Jackson was meant to create more competition at that spot. Durkin has preached that the players who show they want it more each week will be the ones that play on Saturday, and it appears that Ellis and Jackson’s performances in practice this week will go a long way in determining which one gets more snaps against Michigan State.
3 -- Maryland is not built to play from behind
Make that now two games in a row where the Terps have fallen behind but have not had the firepower on offense or a stout enough defense to get back in the game. Comebacks are never easy, but they become nearly impossible for teams that rely on the running game as much as Maryland. Durkin said himself after the Minnesota game that when Maryland falls behind early like it did against the Golden Gophers and Nittany Lions, the Terps’ offense has a very hard time getting going. Maryland’s efforts to get back in games have not been helped by the fact that teams have been able to run all over the Terps recently.
The Terps rank 10th in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed per game (179.5) and have allowed opposing offenses to sustain long drives while preserving leads the last two weeks. With the toughest part of the schedule coming up for Maryland, Durkin and his coaching staff must find ways to either open up the offense or tighten up the defense so that the Terps don’t find themselves on the wrong end of too many blowouts this season.
Two questions
1 -- What’s wrong with JC Jackson?
Maryland’s coaches and players have done nothing but rave about Jackson since he transferred to College Park from junior college this summer. The former Florida Gator is supposed to be one of the Terps’ best overall athletes and was expected to be a major addition to an already talented secondary. But a lot has seemed to change in the last month and Jackson now finds himself battling for his starting spot with a true freshman. Jackson was burned badly several times at Penn State, while Minnesota immediately threw in his direction once he entered the game. Maybe Jackson is banged up a bit but the reduction in playing time appears to be performance-based.
2 -- Who will be the Terps’ quarterback moving forward?
Hills was medically cleared to play against Minnesota but Durkin said he thought it was in everyone’s best interest to start Pigrome instead. Coaches never want to second guess themselves, but Durkin could be questioning his decision after seeing his team come up flat against the Golden Gophers. Hills had the Terps at 4-0 this season and the game against Penn State was still close before he got injured just before halftime, but Maryland has looked lost since. If Hills is not fully healthy enough to be effective on the field, that’s one thing. But the numbers--and even the eye test--don’t seem to support Pigrome giving the Terps a better chance to win each week than the fifth year senior.
One prediction: At least three DeMatha freshman finish the season as regular starters
We’ve already discussed Ellis a bit in this piece, as he seems like one former Stag that will have a major role for the Terps moving forward. But running back Lorenzo Harrison and offensive guard Terrance Davis also seem to only be carving out more playing time for themselves. Harrison is already leading Maryland’s tailbacks in rushing attempts (48), rushing yards (397) and rushing touchdowns (four). Harrison and sophomore Ty Johnson have separated themselves a bit in the Terps’ crowded backfield and Harrison should only see his usage increase moving forward. Davis got his second consecutive start against Minnesota and continues to develop into a future cornerstone of Maryland’s offensive line. The pass blocking has not been good across the board for the Terps, so Davis still has a lot of growing to do in that area, but he’s helping Maryland average 250 rushing yards per game, good for third in the Big Ten. Durkin has shown that he wants to get his underclassmen as much experience as he can, so expect Ellis, Harrison and Davis all to see plenty of action throughout the year.
