PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Kasim Hill and the Maryland passing game have suffered lately — heavy winds in Iowa City were a factor Saturday — but the Terrapins were already last in the Big Ten (and remain there) with a paltry 110 yards passing per game. Hill has thrown for less than 122 yards in each of the last six contests and was just 6-of-15 for 47 yards at Iowa. He threw his third interception of the year but also had four passes dropped. This isn’t all on Hill, who is the most skilled passer Maryland has, and who has done a good job of avoiding turnovers — a key for the Terps this season. Will coach Matt Canada go more to QB Tyrrell Pigrome and a more option-friendly attack?
–RB/KR Ty Johnson rushed just four times for 15 yards as Maryland ground to a halt offensively. He had just three yards at Michigan two games ago. The good news is that he has been over 120 yards in his last two home games with a touchdown in each. Johnson, who is averaging 7.8 yards per carry and leads the team with 450 rushing yards, had 132 yards on nine rushes against Rutgers two weeks ago in Maryland Stadium, and 123 yards on 11 carries against Minnesota on Sept. 22.
–LT Derwin Gray had a rough day, too, flagged for two second half holding penalties and beaten on the edge to allow a couple of QB pressures. The Maryland offensive line allowed two sacks and cleared the way for just 68 rushing yards against Iowa’s stout run defense. Gray, honorable mention all-conference last year, and his cohorts also need a big bounce back this week in a virtual must-win to stay on track for a bowl berth.
–WLB Tre Watson equaled his Maryland career high with 15 tackles at Iowa and was the ringleader of a defense that kept the Terrapins in the game. He had a red zone interception in the first quarter and led two goal line stands that held Iowa to short field goals as Maryland fell behind 6-0. He had a near-sack to force the first field goal attempt. On the season, Watson, a grad transfer from Illinois, leads the Big Ten with 10.7 tackles per game. He will be going against his former team Saturday in what is sure to be an emotional game for him.
“(Watson) is a very mature person, and you want to play at your optimal level, not just against your old team,” said Canada. “If you get too excited … you don’t play well. We’ll see how he handles it. I think he’ll handle it great.”
–MLB Isaiah Davis is eighth in the Big Ten with 8.0 tackles per game as he continues to enjoy a stellar season. He had 14 tackles at Iowa, a new career high. He has had six or more stops in every game so far this year.
SERIES HISTORY: Maryland and Illinois are meeting for the first time.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I take it very personally. It was very disappointing we played the way we played. I take full blame for it. … The wind very much affected the game. Iowa) ran the ball, got chunks on our defense and we weren’t able to do that. The down-the-field passing game just wasn’t able to be done. That’s not an excuse. I take it very personally. You have to find a way to win.” — Interim head coach/offensive coordinator Matt Canada on the Terrapins’ offensive showing at Iowa.