After upsetting then-No. 23 Texas 51-41 on the road in their season opener, the Maryland Terrapins (1-2 Big Ten, 3-3 overall) have had a rollercoaster season. The Terps routed Towson in their second game before being blown out by the University of Central Florida 38-10 at home. Maryland then outlasted Minnesota to earn a 31-24 road win before being picked apart by No. 9 Ohio State 62-14 in Columbus. In their last game, the Terps fell at home to Northwestern, 37-21.
Junior wide receiver D.J. Moore has been a sparkplug for the Maryland offense, racking up 624 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. Against Northwestern, Moore became just the seventh player in school history to record 200 yards in a game, posting 210 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks first in the Big Ten in receptions and receiving yards per game.
The Terps’ have started three different quarterbacks and played four due to two season-ending knee injuries and performance issues. Sophomore Max Bortenschlager has gotten the majority of minutes after season-ending injuries to fellow sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome and freshman Kasim Hill. Bortenschlager has thrown for 561 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Junior running back Ty Johnson spearheads the Terps’ ground game, as the Maryland native has rushed for 488 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Johnson is third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards with 1,000 through six games, and trails only Wisconsin tailback Jonathan Taylor by three rushing yards.
Maryland has been involved in high scoring affairs all season long, as the Terps’ rank fourth in scoring (31.7 points per game) but last in points allowed (36.5 points per game) in the Big Ten. UM is also last in the Big Ten in yards allowed with an average of 439 per contest.
Drawing opponent penalties has been a strong point for the Terps all season, as they lead the Big Ten with an average of 77.7 yards gained per game from opponent miscues.
Forcing turnovers has also been a strength for Maryland, as it is tied for third in Big Ten turnover margin at plus-five.
Senior linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. leads the Terrapin defense with 40 tackles, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks.
