The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1133554
136 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY ANDREW HUSSEY The 2018 season was a tumultuous one for Maryland. The tragic death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair last June led to the suspension and dismissal of former head coach DJ Durkin. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada took over for Durkin in 2018 and after a big non- conference win in the season opener against Texas — which finished ranked ninth in both national polls — Maryland limped to a 5-7 finish. The Terrapins lost their last four games of the season. Replacing Canada is Mike Locksley, who returns to Maryland — where he coached twice previously — after a successful stint as Alabama offensive coordinator that saw him win the 2018 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation's top assistant coach. Prior to his time with the Crimson Tide, he struggled in a three-year run leading New Mexico where he went 2-26 and was fired four games into his third season. Locksley inherits a program that has not won more than seven games since 2010. While he won't have the offensive talent that he had at Alabama, he has a quarterback and running back duo that should be one of the better duos in the Big Ten. Redshirt sophomore running back An- thony McFarland Jr. set a Maryland fresh- man record with 1,034 yards in 2018. In addition to that yardage total, he also aver- aged 7.9 yards per carry in part because of his back-to-back 200-yard rushing games against Indiana and Ohio State. At quarterback, Locksley will likely turn to Virginia Tech transfer Josh Jackson, who would be Maryland's fifth different quarter- back to start in a season opener since 2014. In his freshman season at Virginia Tech, Jackson — the son of former longtime U-M assistant Fred Jackson — completed 59.6 percent of his passes and accumulated 2,991 passing yards with 26 total touchdowns (20 throwing). However, in 2018, he was lost for the year after a broken leg in the third game. In his time at Virginia Tech, he was 11-5 as a starter, completing 59.9 percent of his passes with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. While Jackson and McFarland have pro- duced consistently, the other offensive skill players have not. Maryland has no returning starters at the wide receiver and tight end positions. On defense, Locksley takes over a unit that brings back just four starters from a group that gave up 28.7 points per game, which ranked 78th in the country. However, Maryland does bring back senior defensive back Antonie Brooks Jr., who was tabbed second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches in 2018. He led the Terrapins with 9.5 tackles for loss and was third on the team with 68 stops. Alongside Brooks is senior cornerback Tino Ellis, who has started in 19 games in his Maryland career. The duo should be the strength of Maryland's defense in 2019. The secondary will also get a boost from freshman safety Nick Cross, who Rivals ranked as the No. 2 safety and No. 52 overall recruit in the country. Brooks and Ellis will have to continue their strong play because the front seven only returns fifth-year senior linebacker Isa- iah Davis. Fifth-year defensive tackle Adam McLean would have been a returning starter, but the 11-game starter a year ago recently put his name in the transfer portal. Locksley's turn around at Maryland may take some time due to a lack of talent on the offensive line and defensive front seven. In addition to Maryland's difficult Big Ten schedule, the Terrapins also play challenging non-conference games against Syracuse and at Temple. It might be a long first year for Locksley and the Terrapins. Notes Maryland had the third-best rushing attack in the Big Ten in 2018 with an average of 230.2 yards per game … The Terrapins have not appeared in the Associated Press top 25 since 2013 and have not been in the top 20 since 2003 … Maryland's defense had the fewest tackles for loss in the Big Ten in 2018 and ranked 12th in sacks … Ohio State transfer linebacker Keandre Jones, a former five-star recruit, is wait - ing on the NCAA hardship waiver process. ❑ Mike Locksley Begins Rebuild In College Park 2019 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2018 Result Aug. 31 Howard — Sept. 7 Syracuse — Sept. 14 at Temple L, 35-14 Sept. 27 Penn State L, 38-3 Oct. 5 at Rutgers W, 34-7 Oct. 12 at Purdue — Oct. 19 Indiana L, 34-32 Oct. 26 at Minnesota W, 42-13 Nov. 2 Michigan L, 42-21 Nov. 9 at Ohio State L, 52-51 (OT) Nov. 23 Nebraska — Nov. 30 at Michigan State L, 24-3 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Jeshuan Jones, So., WR — Appeared in all 12 games and started twice last year … Scored seven touchdowns, five receiving and two rushing … Also threw a 20- yard scoring pass … Caught 22 passes for 288 yards and rushed 18 times for 173 yards … First Big Ten freshman to have two games with a touchdown catch and a touchdown run since Ohio State's Maurice Clarett in 2003. Defense: Tino Ellis, Sr., CB — Started all 12 games in 2018 and was named honorable mention All-Big Ten …Led Maryland with 11 passes broken up, and ranked fourth in the conference at 1.3 per game … Also had 23 stops, three tackles for loss and one pick. GAME 9 • MARYLAND TERRAPINS • NOV. 2 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: U-M leads 7-1 First Meeting: U-M 20, Maryland 0 (Sept. 28, 1985 at Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 42, Maryland 21 (Oct. 6, 2018 at Ann Arbor) Head Coach: Mike Locksley, 1-5 at Maryland as in - terim coach in 2015 (1st year) and 3-31 overall (4th year) 2018 In Review: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten (5th East) Final 2018 Ranking: Not ranked Returning Star ters: 8 (3 offense, 3 defense, 2 specialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2016 (Quick Lane Bowl vs. Boston College, L 36-30) Big Ten Championships (Last): 0 RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Josh Jackson (575 yards, 5 TD, 1 INT)* Rushing: Anthony McFarland Jr. (1,034 yards, 4 TD) Receiving: Jeshaun Jacobs (288 yards, 5 TD) Tackles: Isaiah Davis (94) Sacks: Antoine Brooks Jr. (2.5) Interceptions: Brooks and Tino Ellis (1) * at Virginia Tech Terrapin redshirt sophomore Anthony McFar- land torched Ohio State for 298 rushing yards in an overtime loss last year. PHOTO COURTESY MARYLAND