THE MOMENT
Terps aim to renew takeaway streak with more third-down pressure
COLLEGE PARK — Cole Farrand knows how Maryland’s defense is supposed to look. He has an image in his mind as a perpetual reminder.
The junior said he can still visualize fellow linebacker L.A. Goree “ripping the ball” from the grasp of a West Virginia ball carrier — one of six takeaways forced by the Terps in their 37-0 victory at M&T Bank Stadium.
That was five weeks ago, but it feels like the distant past for the Terps (5-2, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), who have lost two out of three heading into today’s homecoming game against No. 9 Clemson (6-1, 4-1 ACC).
At the time of that shutout against the Mountaineers, Maryland was feasting on takeaways and sacks. Its six takeaways in that game was its highest in 12 years. Defensive pressure was a key in the 4-0 start that had earned the Terps a No. 25 national ranking.
Through the first four games, Maryland had 16 sacks, placing it among the Football Bowl Subdivision leaders. Maryland had13 takeaways — tied for fifth in the nation. But in the three games since, the Terps have no takeaways and two sacks. Maryland has been outscored 97-10 in its two losses.
“I think it’s everything,” Terps defensive coordinator Brian Stewart said in explaining the dip in takeaways. “For one, some of the teams that we’re playing are pretty dynamic offensively. Two, we aren’t putting any pressure on them as far as third downs, getting off the field, and that’s where we got a lot of the pressure as well as our interceptions.”
Injuries help explain the decline. In Maryland’s third game — a 32-21 victory over Connecticut — senior cornerback Dexter McDougle had two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. But McDougle was soon headed to the
locker room, grimacing and holding his right shoulder.
Just like that, one of the team’s best defensive playmakers was gone for the season. Others followed, including linebackers Matt Robinson (rotator cuff ) and Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil (pectoral injury), who had three sacks and an interception before being lost for the season after the Virginia game Oct. 12.
Robinson (Atholton) has missed the past two games but is listed as probable for today. He had 31 tackles and recovered a fumble through the first five games.
Maryland — which will play today’s game without injured starting quarterback C.J. Brown, running back Brandon Ross, tight end David Stinebaugh and top receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long — needs one more victory to become bowl-eligible.
“All I can say is that it’s football,” coach Randy Edsall said. “This sport is pretty much 100 percent guaranteed that you’re going to get hurt playing this game.”
Takeaways can function as an equalizer for teams depleted by injuries. Clemson, eager to redeem itself after a 51-14 loss to Florida State last week, enters today’s game as a two-touchdown favorite.
Wake Forest converted on seven of 15 third downs in defeating Maryland, 34-10, last Saturday.
“We just need to get better on third down and force them to throw the ball deep a little more … and get closer to the quarterback,” Stewart said.
Clemson has been a difficult team to force into turnovers. The Tigers had committed just six in their first six games. But they were subpar against Florida State. Quarterback Tajh Boyd threw two interceptions, and the Tigers also lost two fumbles.
“Going into that [Florida State] ballgame, we had outscored our opponents 56-0 off of turnovers,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “So that’s why we’re 6-0. And then we go into this game and we get outscored 24-0 off of turnovers. You can’t beat bad football teams that way, much less a great team like Florida State.”