The Terrapin Ten: Post Towson
Maryland came out firing on all cylinders against Towson, putting the Tigers away early in a 63-17 win in the Terps' home opener.
The Terps got several big individual performances on offense once again, with D.J. Moore hauling in seven catches for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while Ty Johnson went over the century mark rushing for the fourth consecutive time in his career. Kasim Hill was flawless in the first quarter, going 8-for-8 for 94 yards and two touchdowns through the air, helping the Terps to an early 21-0 lead in his first career start.
On defense, Antoine Brooks came up big for the Terps once again, while Darnell Savage had a pick-six.
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| Rank | Name | Why? |
|---|---|---|
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1. |
D.J. Moore |
D.J. Moore followed up a monster performance at Texas by leading the Terps in all-purpose yards against Towson with 163. He caught two TDs and ran for another while regularly breaking tackles along the way. Moore looks like he has a chance to hold onto the top spot for a while. Last Week: 4 |
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2. |
Ty Johnson |
Ty Johnson slips one spot but remains virtually neck-and-neck with Moore after rushing for 124 yards and two TDs on 5 carries against Towson. He's now averaging an insane 15.1 YPC on the season. He also currently leads the team with 352 all-purpose yards so far this season. Last Week: 1 |
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3. |
Jermaine Carter Jr. |
Death, taxes and Jermaine Carter Jr. leads the Terps in tackles once again. The leader of the defense, Carter Jr. recorded 8 tackles, 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Towson. He now has a team-high 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks on the season. Last Week: 2 |
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4. |
Antoine Brooks |
Last week it was a blocked FG returned for a TD. This week it was a spectacular INT in the third quarter. Antoine Brooks simply makes big plays for the Terps. He might not stuff the stat sheet, but Brooks is all over the field and makes DJ Durkin's defense go. Last Week: 5 |
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5. |
Kasim Hill |
How do you follow up sealing a road victory against a ranked team in relief? By starting 8-for-8 for 94 yards and two TDs in the opening quarter of your first career start. Hill looked poised throughout and showed off a strong, accurate arm before being pulled late in the 3rd quarter. The Terps have found their QB. Last Week: 9 |
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6. |
Derwin Gray |
Derwin Gray is the anchor of a vastly improved Terps o-line that has given up just three sacks through the first two games. He's playing with a consistent motor and did a nice job of finishing blocks against Towson. Last Week: 6 |
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7. |
Taivon Jacobs |
Jacobs was again the No. 2 receiver for the Terps against Towson, hauling in 5 catches for 60 yards on 5 targets. He seems to have settled in nicely as the top receiving threat opposite Moore after missing all of last season. With his speed, look for him to continue making big plays throughout the season. Last Week: 7 |
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8. |
Shane Cockerille |
Shane Cockerille has been a steady presence for the Terps defense so far this season. For a second straight week he finished with 7 tackles. But more important than his tackling, Cockerille seems to be doing a better job so far this season of filling gaps. Last Week: 8 |
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9. |
Darnell Savage |
Savage just missed the cut last week after finishing tied for the team-high in tackles (7) with a pass breakup. This week Savage enters the rankings thanks to a 75-yard pick-six in the second quarter versus Towson. Savage looked like a big playmaker at safety during camp and that has carried over into the season. Last Week: NR |
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10. |
Brendan Moore |
Brendan Moore is the leader of an o-line that has helped the Terps running game put up huge numbers so far this season. He has also had to work with multiple QBs already this season under center. But most importantly, he's been a solid blocker, paving the way for others putting up big numbers at the skill positions. Last Week: NR |