Maryland sailed through the non-conference portion of their schedule once again, taking down Villanova in a 38-20 win. Not a completely dominating 60 minutes against an FCS opponent, but there were a lot of positives to take as the Terrapins roll into the remainder of their conference schedule coming up. We take a look at the stock report after the Villanova victory.
UP
WR Tai Felton
Here he is again. Tai Felton is nothing short of phenomenal after four weeks through his senior campaign. Another amazing performance this week with 14 receptions (8 of which came in the first quarter alone) for 157 yards and a score. This game probably also gave us Felton’s best catch of the year as he snagged a 61-yard grab along the sidelines between two defenders. His lone touchdown also shows his ability to high point a ball and fight through defender contact. Felton is a bonafide stud and there is not much more to say about him that hasn’t already been said. The “Taisman” movement is full steam ahead as he sits top ten nationally in receptions, receiving yards and all-purpose yards.
QB Billy Edwards
I try not to just put the players with the best stats every week on the stock up list but ‘Billy the Kid’ really deserves it. Head coach Mike Locksley has reiterated that Edwards has played clean football so far this season, which has arguably been his best trait. Edwards has been fantastic in taking what is given to him and not getting the team in trouble for taking unnecessary and dumb shots. Edwards finished with the highest single-game completion percentage in Maryland history as he completed 28-of-32 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns, and Edwards may have had some of his best balls of the season. Look no further than the first touchdown pass to Kaden Prather and a second quarter pass to Preston Howard on a ‘gotta have it’ third down. The aforementioned catch by Felton was also a great ball, albeit risky. Edwards' lone interception was not completely his fault as Octavian Smith dropped a short pass and it landed in a defender's hand, meaning both interceptions this season have come off tipped balls. Edwards has surpassed all expectations thus far, and this game was another clean and efficient game from QB1.
DL Tommy Akingbesote
The veteran defensive lineman could have easily found himself on the stock up list last week, but with another great game it was hard to keep him off here. Akingbesote only finished with two tackles but they were both for a loss including a nine-yard sack. The former four-star recruit was noticeable most of the day and was a pivotal piece in limiting a talented Wildcat run game to only 2.3 yards per carry. If Akingbesote can combine with Jordan Phillips to disrupt opposing run games it could be a major advantage for Maryland heading into conference play. After landing on the down report in the first few games, the front seven is starting to come together at the right time.
The Young Linebackers
Maryland has a core of young linebackers over the last few recruiting classes that have really started to come into their own this year and make impacts. Redshirt freshmen Michael Harris and Daniel Wingate have been getting serious rotation minutes at linebacker behind Ruben Hyppolite and Caleb Wheatland and have been showing out. A former four-star recruit, Harris had perhaps his best game with five total tackles and a sack. Wingate contributed with two tackles as well as the young guns are showing serious athleticism at the linebacking position. True freshman Keyshawn Flowers is also getting involved with four tackles of his own including a great tackle on a third down in the fourth quarter. As Hyppolite will be moving on next year, it is great to see the room is in great hands with a youth movement.
Honorable Mentions
OL Terez Davis, RB Roman Hemby, LB Ruben Hyppolite, S Glen Miller
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The Third Quarter
Maryland losing the turnover battle the way they did drastically swung the game, but there may not be a true stock down coming out of the win. As a whole, the defense held the Villanova rush to 2.3 yards per carry and 17 passing yards in the first half. The offense ran for 5.3 yards per carry and Billy was efficient. As a 60-minute effort there wasn’t much to nit-pick. But after squandering points in the final minute of the first half, the Terps lost momentum in the third quarter.
It started with a lengthy six-minute Villanova drive that kept Maryland off the field for most of the third quarter. Maryland ended up turning the Wildcats over on downs, but on the very next play, Edwards threw an interception due to a drop from Octavian Smith. Villanova capitalized by kicking a field goal and then tricked Maryland with an onside kick to receive the ball back. Poor special teams’ awareness from Maryland and Villanova ensued with a three-minute touchdown drive.
Fortunately, Maryland responded with a 75-yard drive capped off by a Felton touchdown. Villanova then scored another field goal on a possession that started in the third quarter. In total, Maryland only had the ball for 3 minutes and 49 seconds in the 3rd quarter while Villanova dominated ball possession and scored on three of their four possessions. Villanova outscored Maryland on drives started in the third quarter 13-7. Maryland cleaned it up as the half went on but still lost the final 30 minutes 20-14. Not the best jump out of the room as it almost seemed like the players were comfortable being up 24-0 at half to an FCS team and took their foot off the gas. Luckily, the Terrapins were able to snap out of it and win by multiple possessions. The 60-minute effort and numbers were solid but a 15-minute stretch was all Villanova.
Next up, Maryland travels to Bloomington in a game that might prove to be the most underrated matchup on this week’s Big Ten slate.
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