On Oct. 1, Maryland football faces its toughest test of the season to date in No. 5 Iowa. The Terps are looking for their first victory against a top-five opponent since 2007.
Here are three things to watch for Friday night’s highly anticipated showdown:
No. 1: Can Maryland put pressure on Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras?
Maryland’s defense has thrived putting pressure on the quarterback so far this season. The Terps have 16 sacks, tied for most in the Big Ten through four games and ranks tied for fifth in the nation. Those 16 sacks have come from nine different players, scattered throughout the defensive line, linebackers and secondary.
Graduate student Sam Okuayinonu and junior Durell Nchami have spearheaded that pressure off the edge with a combined seven sacks. While the Terps’ edge rushers have found success through four games, the interior defensive line has also played an integral role.
Seniors Ami Finau and Greg Rose and junior Mosiah Nasili-Kite have excelled at pushing the pressure directly into the opposing quarterback’s face. That often forces him to escape the pocket or release the ball earlier than the route concept is designed for.
Maryland will look to replicate that persistent pressure against a Hawkeyes offensive line that’s allowed nine sacks through four games. Iowa’s offensive line is led by junior center Tyler Linderbaum Jr., one of the best in the nation at his position. He was named a preseason All-American by several different publications.
“What I think we’ve been able to do to generate the sacks is getting people into adverse third-and-long situations where we are able to create what we call five one-on-ones,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “The development of our pass rushers, Sam Okuayinonu has really developed into a big-time pass rusher for us. We’ve seen young guys like Demieoun Robinson pick up the pace as a pass rusher. Having a healthy Durell Nchami has really helped us.”
Whichever unit wins the battle of the trenches will play a key part in deciding who wins Friday night’s matchup.
No. 2: Third-down efficiency.
Against a disciplined opportunistic Hawkeyes defense, Maryland will need to be able to keep drives alive on third down. Thus far through four games, the Terps have converted 23 of 56 third-down opportunities (41.1 percent). Conversely, opponents have kept drives alive on third-down 34.8 percent of the time against Iowa’s defense.
In Friday night’s matchup, the Terps will look to raise their third-down conversion percentage to keep drives alive against a stout Hawkeyes defense. A key to more third-down success is keeping the down and distance manageable, ideally third-and-6 or less. That allows offensive coordinator Dan Enos to be a more balanced play caller on third down and makes it more challenging for the defense to be prepared for a specific play call.
On third-and-long, Hawkeyes defenders can pin their ears back and rush the passer. Iowa has 13 sacks on the year, with junior defensive lineman Lukas Van Ness leading the way with four.
“They have elite players all over the field, their corners, safeties, linebackers and their D-line,” Terps quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa said of Iowa’s defense. “I think their coaches do a good job of mixing things up with their coverages and blitzes. They’re a very disciplined team, very sound. They’re going to be where they’re supposed to be.”
The Hawkeyes’ defense presents a strong barometer for where Maryland’s offense stands among the best in the conference.
No. 3: How will Maryland’s wide receivers match up against Iowa’s secondary?
Maryland’s wide receivers against Iowa’s secondary are areas of strength for each team. The Terps’ wide receiver unit is as deep and versatile as any group in the nation, while Iowa’s secondary has a wealth of experience at both the corner and safety positions.
Against Kent State Sept. 25, 12 different Terps caught a pass, while Iowa’s secondary was graded by Pro Football Focus as one of the four best in the nation in Week 4. The Hawkeyes beat Colorado State, 24-14.
That secondary is led by the senior cornerback tandem of Matt Hankins and Riley Moss. They’ve made a combined 50 career starts in their careers. Both Hankins and Moss are opportunistic, each with a pair of interceptions thus far this season. Similar to Maryland, the Hawkeyes have great size on the back end with both safeties and starting corners standing 6-foot or taller.
Fortunately for the Terps, their wide receiving corps has plenty of experience matching up against a lengthy, physical secondary in practice each day. Senior Dontay Demus (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) is the X receiver on the outside and has 446 receiving yards this year to lead the Big Ten.
Beyond Demus, junior Jeshuan Jones has been increasingly involved in the offense. He is coming off back-to-back games with five receptions and a season-high 78 yards against Kent State. Sophomore Rakim Jarrett and seniors Darryl Jones and Brian Cobbs also present challenges for opposing defenses.
“I think the biggest thing for us is staying disciplined within our routes, staying disciplined within our execution,” Cobbs said of playing against Iowa’s secondary. “Not taking any plays off as well because you never know when that one play that could spring the changing moment in the game could happen.”
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