27 replies to this topic

[BSLMikeLowe]

Terps open as a 10.5 point underdog.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Temple, and Ravens RB Bernard Pierce, crushed the Terps 38-7 last year at College Park.
For the season, they were 9-4, 5-3 in the Mid-American Conference, and beat Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.

This year, the game is being played in Philly. The Owls have also moved back to the Big East.

Earlier this Summer, Phil Steele told us he expected Temple to be down this year.
Steven Lassan from Athlon Sports, echoed those comments, mentioning that Temple lost several key players.

Temple started their season Saturday, by blasting Philadelphia rival Villanova 41-10. There were 32,000+ on-hand for that game vs. the Wildcats. Will be interesting to see if there are more for Maryland.

Temple's Head Coach Steve Addazio was quoted after that game saying, ''I wanted us to establish that toughness and see us play that smash-mouth football. 'And, we did.''

Their RB Matt Brown (5'5, 165lbs, Milford Mill, Baltimore County) rushed for 145 yards on 19 carries. Their QB Chris Coyer rushed for 80 more on 13 attempts. Passing wise, Coyer was just 5 for 11 for 61 yards and a TD vs. Villanova.

4 WR's caught a pass, with only Jalen Fitzpatrick catching 2 (for 33 yards).

Brown was also used as the primary return man for both Punts, and Kicks.

Couple of interesting notes from the Yahoo / Rivals Team Report: (http://rivals.yahoo....-2012-ncaaf-ttb)

"One of the pressing questions heading into the opener was how the linebackers would play. They looked good. Sophomore middle linebacker Nate Smith led the Owls with seven tackles and junior strong-side linebacker Olaniyi Adewole had four tackles, including a sack for minus-five yards. Ahkeem Smith, the lone linebacker with some experience, had one tackle. But as a group, they flew to the ball and played well."

Boston College Transfer Montel Harris - the Eagles all-time leading rusher - had just 6 touches, pulled after half-time with a sore hamstring. Addazio said he wanted to save Harris for Maryland.

Punter / Kicker Brandon McManus was named the Big East Specialist of the week.

Temple Media Guide:
http://www.owlsports...x?path=football

Temple Season Preview:
http://www.owlsports...iew.pdf?id=2091

Beyond Brown, Temple have several other Maryland natives on the roster:

Samuel Benjamin.........WR Fr. 6-0 195 Baltimore, Md. / Mount Saint Joseph
Sean Boyle**................OL #Sr. 6-5 300 Towson, Md. / Calvert Hall
Antonio Belt ................WR Fr. 6-0 170 Forestville, Md./ Forestville MA / Fork Union
Brian Burns...................DB So. 6-0 185 Bowie, Md. / Riverdale Baptist
Hassan Dixon................RB R-Fr. 5-9 175 Germantown, Md. / Northwest / Naval Academy Prep
Nathan Hairston ..........WR Fr. 6-0 176 Frederick, Md. / Gov. Thomas Johnson
Gary Onuekwusi* .........LB Jr. 6‐1 235 Baltimore, Md. / Paul Laurence Dunbar
Drew Stefanelli .............FB Fr. 5‐11 225 Rockville, Md. / Good Counsel
Avery Williams ............ATH Fr. 5‐10 198 Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley
Desmond Williams........LB R‐Fr. 6‐0 203 Upper Marlboro, Md. / DeMatha Catholic
Tavon Young.................DB Fr. 5‐10 159 Oxon Hill, Md. / Potomac

[Oriole85]

Terps open as a 10.5 point underdog.

I seriously hope we cover the spread. After last year's result and this past weekends result can't say i'll be surprised if we don't.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Geez, looks like Temple is another school that recruited Maryland (the state) better than Maryland (the school).

Based on Chris' interviews w/Steele & Lassan, I thought this was a game that the Terps could win....and while I don't want to place too much emphasis on both teams' Week 1 results vs FCS opponents, I'm far less confident of that now. Hopefully the defense will at least slow down their running game some and force them to throw, since that appears to be out of their comfort zone. Although with the Terps' secondary, that might not be such a bad thing from Temple's perspective.

This was the game where the season pretty much imploded last year. Temple came out and hit them in the mouth, and the players quit in the 1st Qtr, Edsall turned on the team, and the fans turned on Edsall. If nothing else, pride ought to prevent things from going that bad again. But the Terps traditionally struggle with physical teams at the LOS. As of today, I'm afraid I have to put this one in the loss column....but I'll reserve the right to switch if we get some of the injured players back on defense.

[BSLZackKiesel]

It's hard to predict the outcome of this game. When you play FCS teams, it's tough to get a read on what a team can do. Naturally, the Terps disappointed a lot of people with their performance against William & Mary, but they found a way to win, and isn't that what's important? Temple blew out Villanova, but Villanova is pretty bad. I'll say this: the Terps have a chance to win this game. It might not be pretty, but I still have optimism for this team. Take away Perry Hills' 3 INTs last week, and we may have scored 30 points. He's a freshman, he'll get better. Hopefully he gets better sooner rather than later. I'm calling this: Diggs will return a kick or a punt for a TD in this game.

[mdak06]

Not sure how it'll go, but I'm happy that the Terps' strength (front seven on D) is matched up against Temple's strength (running game). If the front seven can get the job done, it gives the Terps a better shot to win.

I'm hoping that the more that Hills works with the receivers, the better they'll get. Ideally, the "initial jitters" for everyone are gone (since they've played the first game) and they can become more focused as the year moves forward.

I'll be at the Temple game ... hopefully some other Terps fans will be there too.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Times: Minor tweaks dot Maryland's Week 2 Depth Chart
http://www.washingto...-2-depth-chart/

[BSLChrisStoner]

I believe Kenny Tate, Matt Robinson, AJ Hendy, Isaac Goins are all out.

I'm hopeful that the DE's Keith Bowers, and Isiah Ross are back. Not sure if we see Nick Ferrara, or Brandon Ross.

[BSLChrisStoner]

This is an important game for Maryland to win, and it is time that Edsall shows he can devise a plan to give his team a chance to win, in a scenario you might not expect them to do so.

Totally agree with Birds of B'more and his evaluation of the game last year. The Terps got punched in the mouth, and did not respond. Like he said, Maryland has to slow the running game, and force Temple to throw. Like mdak06 said, it should be strength vs. strength.

Conversely, Maryland has to obviously limit their turnovers, and establish their own running game.

If you can win this game, and get a bit healthier; next week becomes interesting.

[glenn__davis]

I think MD's front 7 will do a much more respectable job than last year. Aside from being deeper and more talented, I think they're also better coached and aren't going to be unprepared like they were last year.

Offense will be interesting. I was very curious as to why Locksley didn't get Hills more involved in the running game for his first collegiate start. Isn't that supposed to be his strength? Why don't you exploit the thing he does well?

I did like that Hills didn't seem to get timid after the 3 picks. He was still trying to make plays after that, which I think is huge. I'm not a fan of "manage-the-game" QBs. QBs are QBs because they're playmakers, and I don't want mine to be scared to make plays. But obviously the decision-making has to get better, and I'd like to see him try to make some plays with his legs.

[mdak06]

Offense will be interesting. I was very curious as to why Locksley didn't get Hills more involved in the running game for his first collegiate start. Isn't that supposed to be his strength? Why don't you exploit the thing he does well?

I did like that Hills didn't seem to get timid after the 3 picks. He was still trying to make plays after that, which I think is huge. I'm not a fan of "manage-the-game" QBs. QBs are QBs because they're playmakers, and I don't want mine to be scared to make plays. But obviously the decision-making has to get better, and I'd like to see him try to make some plays with his legs.

My suspicion is that part of what Locksley wanted to do this game was see how Hills would do in an actual game situation, and get an idea of what he's already good with and what they need to work on. If they were just having him run, that wouldn't have really been as much benefit down the road because it wouldn't have told them what he is (and isn't) capable of passing-wise.

The fact that there are two senior WR (as well as an improved Leak and Diggs) is something they have to take advantage of, and the only way they'll do that is to figure out what their QB is capable of doing in the passing game.

At least, that's my take on it. I am also very happy that Hills apparently didn't get rattled by his INTs. Hopefully they'll be better at Temple with another week of practice finished.

[BSLChrisStoner]

UM Terps.com: Quotes from Tuesday's Press Conference
http://www.umterps.c.../090412aaa.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Post: Locksley: Pickett improving, Hills needs to be quicker on adjustments
http://www.washingto...c8d13_blog.html

Ross still out, Pickett will start, Reid backing up, and Brown might get carries as well.

[mdak06]

Ross still out, Pickett will start, Reid backing up, and Brown might get carries as well.

That sounds sensible, based on their performance against W&M. I really hope the running game can pick up more against Temple.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Washington Times: Temple trampling is on Maryland's mind
http://www.washingto...marylands-mind/

Washington Times: Bowers, Ross expected to return
http://www.washingto...ted-to-return-/

OG Josh Cary could also return. Edsall optimistic about Robinson, and Goins returning next week. Ross a possibility as well.

Least optimistic about Tate, but says he is getting closer.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Philly.com: Keys to the game
http://www.philly.co...st-ACC-BCS.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

I feel like Maryland needs a couple things to go right early on. I see MD either pulling out a close win, or getting rolled.

[Adam Wolff]

I feel like Maryland needs a couple things to go right early on. I see MD either pulling out a close win, or getting rolled.

Well there's one of those things!

[Chris B]

Damn I like those helmets.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Awesome 1st half for the Terps. Whole lot of Good on my Good, Bad, Ugly so far.