PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Kasim Hill has thrown for less than 122 yards in each of the last five contests. And though he had just 76 yards (on 8-of-17 passing) against Rutgers, he tossed a career-high three touchdowns, two on plays moving out of the pocket and creating opportunities downfield. Hill continues to excel at getting Maryland into the right plays, but he’ll face one of his biggest challenges this week against a tough Iowa defense in a hostile environment. Look for Maryland coaches to give him some quick, easy reads and short passes early to get him comfortable, but the Terrapins’ hopes for success may rely on him making big plays down the field.
–RB/KR Ty Johnson is now fourth all-time at Maryland in all-purpose yards (4,096) and in career rushing yards (2,564), and he bounced back from one of his poorest rushing efforts ever (three yards at Michigan) to rush for 132 yards and a 65-yard touchdown that opened the scoring last week against Rutgers. Johnson is just the fourth Terrapin in school history to record over 4,000 all-purpose yards, joining Torrey Smith, LaMont Jordan and Stefon Diggs.
–DE Byron Cowart, the transfer from Auburn, had his best game as a Terrapin Saturday against Rutgers. He registered two tackles for loss, including a sack, and picked up a big interception on a deflected pass. He would have had another sack but was flagged for a horse-collar tackle on the play.
–DB Antoine Brooks, Jr., plays nickel-back, but also serves more as a linebacker. He’s third on the team with 36 tackles and leads the squad with 6.5 tackles for loss. He had four solo tackles as Maryland clamped down on Rutgers last week.
–S Darnell Savage, Jr., has been playing the best football of his career this season, and leads the Terrapins with four interceptions, including two last week against pass-challenged Rutgers. Savage also ranks fifth on the team with 25 total tackles, including four for loss.
SERIES HISTORY: Iowa and Maryland are tied 1-1 in a series that didn’t begin until the Terrapins joined the Big Ten in 2014. The two teams met that season with Maryland using several big plays to score a 38-31 win in College Park. The Hawkeyes prevailed, 31-15, in Iowa City in 2015.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It gives Iowa things to look at, because we have a great defense, we have a great offense. I just think going into next week, Coach Canada and the rest of the coaching staff is going to have a great game plan for us and we just have to execute. It’s always good coming off a win, so just get on to next week.” — Senior RB Ty Johnson.