MARYLAND PRE GAME
Tough Terrapins Challenge Ducks’ Lofty Status
By Ken Woody
The Maryland Terrapins make the long journey west to take on the nation’s number-one ranked Oregon Ducks in an important game for both squads. The Terps are stuck on a 4-4 season record and after getting to the winning side three times this season, are determined to make it four with an upset victory over the Ducks who are 9-0. Most recently, Minnesota knocked off Maryland 48-23 the week after the Terps had a last second comeback victory over USC, 29-28.
Coach Mike Locksley has guided Maryland to 27 wins and three bowl victories in the past three years but long-lasting success has been hard to establish. Locksley had to replace departed quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa who was a record-setter; his likely replacement is Billy Edwards Jr., who has completed 68 percent of his passes for 2300 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He was cool and collected against the Trojans, directing Maryland to a win after trailing at halftime 21-7.
The knock on the Terps has been an inconsistent offensive line that has struggled to achieve the physical prowess of the upper echelon teams in the Big Ten. Their leading rusher is Roman Henry with 403 yards and a 4.7 average per carry, and coach Locksley has a room full of pro-caliber receivers that could mean trouble for Oregon’s secondary that has only nine interceptions.
Coach Dan Lanning’s staff has had success improving the Ducks’ performance every week, starting with the mess after the Idaho game. One area that has not had much growth over the season is punt return attempts and yardage. Tez Johnson is the quickest way to the end zone for Oregon and now may be lost for the season as a result of an injury against Michigan. He was averaging 13 yards per return, but he often called fair catches when there was opportunity for a decent return. Evan Stewart replaced Johnson as the returner against the Wolverines and looked comfortable catching the ball, so Lanning is probably willing to settle for a reliable catcher and more fair catches.
Oregon has a dependable combination of run and pass offense; given the size and experience of their offensive line, although the defenses in the Big Ten are bigger and more physical, it would seem that an average 168 yards per game rushing should be higher. Dillon Gabriel sparks the offense with mostly good decisions and pinpoint (75 percent completion) accuracy, 299 yards per game, five interceptions and 19 touchdowns.
The Ducks have hidden strength in statistics that often don’t get a lot of attention: they are plus four in turnovers, convert 52 percent of their third-downs and allow only 33 percent by opponents. They are under 40 yards per game in penalties and had only 20 yards against Michigan. These statistics point to the efficiency between the offense and defensive units.
Lanning made a critical decision when facing a fourth-and-four punt situation in the third quarter after the Wolverines closed the gap to 28-17. He had the Ducks line up with a center and three-man shield protecting the punter with one lineman wide on the left and five linemen lined up wide to the right. Never having seen or practiced against this lineup, Michigan had one rusher lined head-up on the center, which, Lanning knew, (and Michigan didn’t), was against the rules on a kicking formation. The result was a five-yard penalty and a first down for the Ducks, a move that stabilized a quarter that was deteriorating, and the drive resulted in a field goal.
Michigan’s rookie head coach Sherrone Moore and a nation-wide audience had a learning experience of their own a bit later on a fabulous sideline toe-touch catch by Colston Loveland, falling to the sideline where the ball bounced loose from his grasp. The rule is that the catcher has to complete the catch with possession when they contact the ground.
As it went on television, even the color commentator knew this as he said, “the coaches don’t know the rule, they are going to lose a time out and their one review opportunity if they ask for a review here,” which is just what happened. Since you asked, this was the fault of the head coach, who didn’t know the rule and the rest of the staff, especially those in the press box who failed to let him know the rule and the consequences.
If Michigan had been able to close the gap to a one score late-game rally, the loss of the first down would could have been a killer; even though it was still in the late third quarter, a head coach must have that possibility in mind. It was a little embarrassing to see Moore suffer through this painful lesson on nation-wide television.
Lanning does an excellent job of diminishing the big-time BS that goes along with being undefeated and facing problems of his own, like expectations, injuries that strike the Ducks’ talent, and “opportunities for improvement” (“mistakes”—Book of Lanning). He says, “it’s next man up” and, considering the pressure of crowd noise and expectations: “The warriors control the atmosphere, not the spectators.”
This man is one of the coolest coaches in the country. If he ran for president, I’d vote for him.
Ken Woody coached college football for 18 years as an assistant at Oregon, Washington, Utah State and Washington State and as a head coach at Whitman College and Washington University-St. Louis. He conducts a coaching clinic, free to all, at the 6th Street Grill every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. during the season. Plays from Oregon games are analyzed, there are scouting reports for opponents, and highlights from referees; all to learn and enjoy football and understand why the Ducks win or lose.
Questions and comments welcomed.
Contact Ken at: woody8783@comcast.net
