No. 2 Indiana and Maryland welcomed new quarterbacks this season who have been game-changers for their respective offenses.
While it has translated to team success for the Hoosiers and Heisman Trophy candidate Fernando Mendoza, the Terrapins have failed to improve despite flashes of brilliance from true freshman Malik Washington.
Mendoza and Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) hope to ride their momentum and extend the three-game losing streak of Maryland (4-3, 1-3) when the teams meet Saturday in College Park, Md.
After moving up a notch to their highest ranking in program history, the high-flying Hoosiers are looking at a November schedule which includes teams that have a combined conference record of 1-17.
In a press conference on Monday, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti sounded like a coach concerned about his players becoming overconfident as he heaped praise on Maryland.
“They fly around on defense. They create turnovers. They sack the quarterback,” Cignetti said. “And offensively they’re protecting the quarterback, protecting the ball, making explosive plays and have a good kicking game.”
Cignetti also pointed out that Maryland has been victimized by misfortune. In each of their losses, the Terrapins held the lead with four minutes left.
“They’re outscoring people the first three quarters, 175-50,” Cignetti said, without mentioning that Maryland also has been out-scored 44-7 in the fourth quarter during its three-game skid.
In its most recent defeat, 20-17 at UCLA on Oct. 18, Maryland surrendered a touchdown and two field goals in the final 3:33.
In his Tuesday press conference, Maryland coach Mike Locksley pointed out that the Terrapins’ lack of depth has proven costly late in games, especially when injuries have mounted.
“What I have to do as a head coach is find a way to make sure those guys are available to finish games,” Locksley said.
Last week, while Maryland had a bye, Indiana dominated UCLA 56-6 as Mendoza threw three touchdown passes and former Maryland starter Roman Hemby ran for two scores.
Hemby (513 rushing yards) teams with Kaelon Black (509 rushing yards) in a potent Indiana backfield.
“Both those two backs are a little different,” Locksley said. “Roman, as we know, is a home-run hitter.”
The Hoosiers average 264 yards per game passing and 230.5 yards per game on the ground in a balanced offense that has long been a signature of Cignetti’s teams.
Mendoza’s efficiency is illustrated by his passer rating (188.5), which is second in the nation. Mendoza also is completing 72.9% of his passes and leads the nation with 24 touchdown passes while throwing only three interceptions.
For Maryland, Washington is one of three Power Four true freshmen who has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of his first seven games in a season this century.
His goal for now is to remedy the Terrapins’ lack of efficiency in the red zone. Maryland has scored touchdowns on 42.3% of its trips inside the 20-yard line, which is the lowest mark in the Big Ten.
“You come away with, not just points, but touchdowns, that kind of changes the game,” Washington said. ” … Those are the body blows that we need to be able to put opponents away.”
