The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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136 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE When Maryland travels to Ann Arbor for an early November showdown with Michi- gan at The Big House, it's hard to predict that the Terrapins will have much to play for. In the first year under head coach Mike Locksley a year ago, Maryland started out 2-0, and even earned a spot in the top 25 of the Associated Press and coaches' polls. Then, the team lost nine out of its final 10 to conclude the season, including its last seven contests. In 2019, the injuries plagued now-fifth- year senior quarterback Josh Jackson after a hot start to the season. The Virginia Tech transfer and Ann Arbor native played banged up for much of the season, and missed two games. He finished the campaign 98-of-207 passing (47.1 percent) for 1,274 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. The good news is Jackson will have ex- perienced players around him this fall. Hon- orable mention All-Big Ten wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. returns, after he led the Terrapins in receptions (41), receiving yards (625) and touchdown catches (six) in 2019 by a wide margin. He should impress once again in his junior campaign. It does appear, however, that Maryland's run game will take a step back after losing its top two rushers from last season. Run- ning backs Javon Leake and Anthony Mc- Farland Jr. combined for 1,350 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. That means it's time for senior Tayon Fleet-Davis and fifth-year senior Jake Funk to step up. A pair of rookie four-star running backs, Isaiah Jacobs and Penny Boone, will also get their opportunity to shine in a backfield that will likely rely on a by-committee approach. Redshirt sophomore left tackle Jaelyn Duncan and redshirt junior right tackle Mar- cus Minor lead the efforts up front, with several emerging young players vying for starting positions on the interior. Defensive coordinator Jon Hoke, older brother of former U-M head coach Brady Hoke, has his hands full in attempting to re- pair a defense that struggled mightily in 2019. The Terrapins gave up a staggering 449.2 yards per game, which was last in the Big Ten and 109th in the country. Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Olu Olu- watimi was steady last season, tallying 22 tackles, including 6.0 for loss, while adding half of a sack. The defensive front didn't hold its own against Big Ten opponents, but having Oluwatimi back is a start toward doing that this season. Redshirt junior linebacker Ayinde Eley will be all over the field once again. He was the squad's second-leading tackler last year, post- ing 79 stops (4.0 for loss) while also adding one interception and four passes defended. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention for his efforts. Safety Antoine Brooks Jr. is gone to gradu- ation and now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The next Terrapin defensive back to break out might be sophomore safety Nick Cross. The 6-1, 212-pounder recorded 45 tackles, two interceptions and five passes bro- ken up in his freshman year. He was selected as an honorable mention All-Big Ten per- former a year ago. The rebuild that Locksley is looking for isn't going to happen overnight. He is recruit- ing well, having just brought in the No. 31 class for 2020 per Rivals.com. However, there doesn't appear to be enough in the cupboard this season for the club to dig itself out of the bottom-of-the-Big Ten hole that it has found itself in since joining the conference in 2014. Notes Fifth-year senior running back Jake Funk is coming off an ACL injury that kept him out of the final nine games of 2019 … Maryland finished last in the Big Ten in passing defense last season, giving up 271.3 yards per game … The Terps' offensive line allowed 38 op- ponent sacks last season, the worst number in the Big Ten. ❑ The Rebuild Continues For Terrapins 2020 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2019 Result Sept. 5 Towson — Sept. 12 Northern Illinois — Sept. 19 at West Virginia — Oct. 3 Minnesota L, 52-10 Oct. 10 at Indiana L, 34-28 Oct. 17 at Northwestern — Oct. 24 Wisconsin — Oct. 31 Rutgers W, 48-7 Nov. 7 at Michigan L, 38-7 Nov. 14 Ohio State L, 73-14 Nov. 23 Nebraska L, 54-7 Nov. 30 at Michigan State L, 19-16 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Dontay Demus Jr., So., WR The 6-3, 200-pounder averaged 15.2 yards per reception last season and racked up 52.1 yards per contest … He has recorded at least one reception in his last 15 games and posted two outings with more than 100 receiving yards in 2019 (Howard and Purdue). Defense: Ayinde Eley, R-Jr., LB The 6-3, 226-pounder led the Terrapins with two fumble recoveries in 2019 … He enjoyed a career day against Rutgers last season, notching 12 tackles in a vic- tory. Fifth-year senior quarterback Josh Jackson threw for a combined 541 yards and seven touch- downs in the first two contests of the 2019 season, wins over Howard and Syracuse. PHOTO COURTESY MARYLAND ATHLETICS GAME 9 • MARYLAND TERRAPINS • NOV. 7 QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Michigan leads 8-1 First Meeting: U-M 20, Maryland 0 (Sept. 28, 1985 at Ann Arbor) Last Meeting: U-M 38, Maryland 7 (Nov. 2, 2019 at College Park, Md.) Head Coach: Mike Locksley, 4-14 at Maryland (2nd full year) and 6-40 overall (5th full year) Final 2019 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 12 (5 offense, 5 defense, 2 spe - cialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2016 (Quick Lane Bowl vs. Boston College, L 36-30) RETURNING LEADERS Passing: Josh Jackson (1,274 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT) Rushing: Tayon Fleet-Davis (265 yards, 2 TD) Receiving: Dontay Demus Jr. (625 yards, 6 TD) Tackles: Ayinde Eley (79) Sacks: Five players tied (1) Interceptions: Nick Cross (2)