Maryland football beats Minnesota and takes off



[ad_1]


Anthony McFarland makes a breakthrough on the way to the touchdown of the first quarter. (Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post)

After a sluggish start, Maryland overtook Saturday against Minnesota, leading a two-point lead early and never letting the Golden Gophers get closer in a 42-13 victory.

Quarterback Kasim Hill quickly found his pace, leading the Terrapins eight games and 75 yards in their first possession to set the tone for Saturday's offensive production at Maryland Stadium.

Maryland (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) finally beat Minnesota (3-1, 0-1), 432 yards to 263 in a turnover-free performance that made last week's disappointment over at Temple looked more like a performance than a performance indicating the ability of the team.

"With any game, you obviously want to get a quick start, try to get that momentum," Hill said. "Especially coming out of last week as an offensive, we were focused on starting fast and going out, playing and having fun."

Anthony McFarland, one of the Terps' best prospects in the 35-14 loss to the previously-winnowed Owls, has accumulated more than 100 rushing yards for the second straight game. It took only six races to finish with McFarland. against the Golden Gophers, including a 64-yard run in the third quarter.

After missing his first year of high school at DeMatha and his first year in Maryland with an injury, the young running back began to become a running back, even though the acting coach and offensive coordinator Matt Canada model.

Ty Johnson, the eldest who has climbed into the top 10 of Maryland's all-season list early in the season, combined with McFarland to lead the ground attack. Johnson wore 11 times for 123 yards, including a score of 81 yards.

The inspired performance came against a Minnesota team that averaged nine points per game, but had not yet played Power Five in their first three games.

Hill also had a much better day for the Terrapins. The red-shirt rookie quarter finished with its best completion percentage of the year, completing 10 of 14 passes for 117 yards with a 54-yard touchdown throw and no interceptions. In the first half, Hill had more points to his credit (nine) than he had played against Temple (seven).

"However, we have a good pace, even if it works for us that day, we all want to win, whether to throw the ball or throw the ball, no matter what we have to do," said Hill .

Meanwhile, Minnesota rookie quarterback Zack Annexstad struggled as Maryland's defensive front put pressure on him throughout the match. Annexstad finished 14th for 32 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Maryland linebacker Tre Watson intercepted the ball for a touchdown in the second game of the second half.

"The ball is in the air," Watson said. "It must be mine, that's all our approach as soon as the ball is in the air … No better feeling than being in the end zone for the team."

Maryland won four sacks, including one from Bryon Cowart when Minnesota tried to convert a fourth time inside the 10-yard line in the third quarter. In the fourth race, RaVon Davis recorded his first career interception on a fourth in the red zone.

"These are absolutely huge games," Watson said. "When you are all the way down in the red zone, you expect to give up a certain number of points, at least three. And then we get these types of stops, which modify the game. "

The atmosphere was however less electric. The Maryland Stadium had plenty of empty seats at kickoff and many more as Saturday's game progressed. The announced participation was 36,211.

The match began approximately 18 hours after the University System of Maryland's Board of Regents released a report regarding the circumstances of June's death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who suffered heat stroke during a session. training in May. The report detailed errors made by school employees and the timing of the training, including the time elapsed between the time McNair started to feel the symptoms and the time when the leaders of the school began to feel the pain. school called 911.

The Council of Regents does not intend to make staff decisions until after a second survey, which will assess the culture of the program. Coach DJ Durkin, who was not mentioned in the 74-page report released Friday, remains on administrative leave. Trainers Wes Robinson and Steve Nordwall, both mentioned in the report, are also on leave.

The team continues to honor McNair on the field during games. Prior to Saturday's sendoff, players knelt around the 79 painted behind the West End Zone and offensive lineman Derwin Gray wore the No. 79 flag on the field.

Gray returned to the game after missing the Temple match following an injury, while his compatriot, Damian Prince, was absent. Terrance Davis, who also missed the last game, started for the first time this season on the line. The position group, which was probably the most affected by McNair's death, paved the way for the Terps' 315 rushing yards and allowed only one bag.

"It's amazing," said Canada in a loud voice before the reporter finished his question about the team's resilience. "… We are very proud of our players and the way they play, cohesion and concentration. Someone should be doing some kind of study because it's impressive. "

[ad_2]
Source link