The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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138 ■ THE WOLVERINE 2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW BY CLAYTON SAYFIE Maryland had a strong start once again last season, winning its first two games over Minnesota and then going on the road at Penn State (the program's first victory over the Nittany Lions since 2014). But just like in 2019 — a season in which the Terrapins won their first two before finishing on a rough note — the momentum fizzled out. It didn't help that Maryland was starting and stopping all year long — four differ- ent games were canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. One positive is that the Terrapins' primary players gained some needed experience heading into 2021, when 85 percent of their production returns (10th most in college football, according to ESPN). That all starts at the quarterback spot with sophomore Taulia Tagovailoa, who was hit or miss in 2020. In losses to Northwest- ern and Indiana, he threw a combined six picks and completed only 50.8 percent of his passes. But he exploded for major statis- tics in wins over Minnesota and Penn State, completing 72.1 percent of his throws for 676 yards with six touchdowns in those two triumphs. Tagovailoa ranked third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game, but finding consis- tency will be key in his second year as the starter and first working with new coordina- tor Dan Enos. Meanwhile, developing a run game will be important for the offense as a whole. Running back Jake Funk, who has moved on from Maryland, rushed for 516 yards on 60 carries (8.6 yards per attempt) and scored three of the team's five rushing touchdowns in 2020. Freshman Peny Boone is the leading re- turning rusher with 86 yards, but it's senior Taylor Fleet-Davis who is expected to start. He has been a career backup, but appears ready to break out after missing most of last season due to "off-the-field reasons." He has accumulated 615 yards and seven touchdowns, while averaging 4.2 yards per carry, during his four years in College Park. Wideout is the position the Terrapins feel the best about, with the team's top five receivers set to return. Senior Dontay De- mus Jr., the best of the bunch, has 10 career touchdowns and averaged 15.0 yards per catch while hauling in four scoring grabs and racking up 365 receiving yards last season. Though the offense could've been better and more consistent a year ago, the defense was truly the downfall. The Terrapins ranked 80th nationally in points allowed (32.0 per game) and 85th in total defense (430.0 yards allowed per contest). However, it wasn't all bad. Maryland's passing defense was top-tier, ranking third in the Big Ten and 25th in the country in yards allowed per contest through the air (200.0). And the good news is that most of the talent in the secondary remains in place. A strong duo of safeties headlines the de- fense, with junior Jordan Mosley and sopho- more Nick Cross both having posted stellar numbers in 2020. Mosley was second on the team in tackles with 43, while adding 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack, and Cross ranked third in tackles with 23, while regis- tering one sack, one interception and three passes broken up. Freshman cornerback Tarheeb Still paced Maryland in passes broken up last season with eight, and led the nation with two passes broken up per game. He was named a Freshman All-American by The Athletic. Linebacker Chance Campbell — the squad's leading tackler in 2020 — trans- ferred to Ole Miss this offseason, leaving a big hole in the middle of a defense that slotted 13th in the Big Ten and 115th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game last season (230.0). However, the Terrapins have experience on the defensive line, with three starters re- turning. Fifth-year senior end Sam Okuayi- nonu made 17 tackles and 1.5 stops for loss last year, while junior tackle Ami Finau, who registered 18 tackles, was tied with redshirt sophomore linebacker Durell Nchami for third on the team with three tackles for loss. Notes Maryland's turnover margin per game of minus-1.4 ranked dead last in the Big Ten and 124th in the nation … The Terrapins gave the ball away 11 times, including nine interceptions thrown. ❏ The Terrapins Seek More Consistency In 2021 2021 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2020 Result Sept. 4 West Virginia — Sept. 11 Howard — Sept. 17 at Illinois — Sept. 25 Kent State — Oct. 1 Iowa — Oct. 9 at Ohio State — Oct. 23 at Minnesota W, 45-44 Oct. 30 Indiana L, 27-11 Nov. 6 Penn State W, 35-19 Nov. 13 at Michigan State — Nov. 20 Michigan — Nov. 27 at Rutgers L, 27-24 PLAYERS TO WATCH Offense: Taulia Tagovailoa, So., QB The Alabama transfer earned an honorable mention All-Big Ten nod last season … He completed 75 of 122 pass attempts for the season, and ranked first in the conference in yards per completion (13.5). Defense: Jordan Mosley, 5th-Sr., S The 6-1, 210-pounder led Maryland with 24 solo tackles among his 41 total stops last season, and also notched 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack … Posted a career-high 11 tackles in a win over Minnesota. GAME 11 • MARYLAND TERRAPINS • NOV. 20 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: Michael Locksley, 6-17 at Maryland (3rd full year) and 8-43 overall (5th full year) 2020 In Review: 2-3 overall, 2-3 Big Ten (4th East) Final 2020 Ranking: Unranked Returning Starters: 16 (8 offense, 6 defense, 2 spe - cialists) Last Bowl Appearance: 2016 (Quick Lane Bowl vs. Boston College, L 36-30) Returning Leaders Passing: Taulia Tagovailoa (1,011 yards, 7 TD) Rushing: Peny Boone (86 yards, 0 TD) Receiving: Dontay Demus Jr. (365 yards, 4 TD) Tackles: Jordan Mosley (41) Sacks: Mosiah Nasili-Kite (4) Interceptions: Nick Cross, Kenny Bennett (1) Last season versus Penn State, wide receiv- er Rakim Jarrett became the first Terrapin true freshman with more than 100 receiving yards and two scores in a game since Stefon Diggs in 2012. PHOTO COURTESY MARYLAND ATHLETICS