The Maryland football team will be back in “The Shell” on Sept. 17 as the Terps take on Southern Methodist (2-0). Maryland will look to go 3-0 in back-to-back seasons.
The Terps outscored Charlotte and Buffalo, 87-31, in their first two games of the season. Maryland will look to continue its momentum against SMU before facing Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sept. 24 to open Big Ten play.
Here are three things to watch for in the SMU matchup, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on FS1:
1. Will the Terps bring it on both sides of the ball?
In the first two games, Maryland was a bit shaky in the early going before finding a groove as the contests progressed.
Although the Terrapins dominated each game on both sides of the ball on paper, head coach Michael Locksley mentioned that each side has been disappointed at one point with their performance.
“When you think of the Charlotte game it was like a role reversal for us,” Locksley said. “Coming off of the first game where I thought defensively we played very well but offensively we weren’t real happy with the execution.”
“You go into the Charlotte game, our offense figures it out and we get the execution we want out of our offense but defensively they’re in the locker room disappointed with how they played,” Locksley added.
Locksley also mentioned that while special teams have been consistent, the team will look to put it all together against SMU.
2. Which Maryland receiver will stand out?
In the past two games, the Terps have had two receivers post 100-plus receiving yards. Junior Rakim Jarrett tallied six catches for 110 yards against Buffalo, while junior Jacob Copeland had four catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns against Charlotte.
Redshirt senior Jeshaun Jones was also productive in both games. Jones had 70 and 71 receiving yards against Buffalo and Charlotte, respectively. He also caught two touchdowns against Charlotte.
“It’s amazing to go to work with these guys day in and day out,” Jones said. “I feel like we all feed off of each other. When we go watch the film and watch routes we critique each other and help and take tools from each other and it makes us better.”
“[Jones] is very athletic and elusive in what he does,” quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa added. “I have a strong relationship with him. He’s a great person to be around. He helps me off the field and helps with my confidence. I think the biggest improvement for him is his preparation.”
3. Can Maryland limit SMU’s big plays in the passing game?
The Terps’ defense will be without junior defensive back Tarheeb Still for a second consecutive week after he had surgery on a finger because of a “freak accident,” Locksley said. However, Locksley hopes to have Still back against Michigan.
Freshmen corners Lionell Whitaker and Gavin Gibson will have another opportunity to gain some experience.
“Injuries are a part of the game,” Locksley said. “I don’t spend a lot of time fretting over when we lose a guy because we have to have the next-man-up mentality. We recruited to create depth. I’ve been really happy with the way [Whitaker and Gibson] have played.”
SMU averages 335.5 passing yards per game and 14.3 yards a catch. Senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai has thrown seven touchdown passes so far this season. Three have gone to senior Rashee Rice, who has 298 yards through two games.
“We better be prepared to be challenged vertically,” Locksley said. “They take at least 10 shots a game. They also do a good job of getting the ball out horizontally in space.”
Locksley mentioned that the best way to combat this is for the defense getting lined up promptly considering that SMU plays an up-tempo style.
“I think up-tempo is going to help us get ready for the rest of the teams that try to tempo us throughout the season in Big Ten play,” redshirt senior lineman Greg China-Rose said. “It’s all about beating the offensive line back to the line of scrimmage, getting set and just playing football.”
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