COLLEGE PARK, Md. –
Kicking It Off: Maryland opened the 2013 season with a 43-10 win over FIU. It is Maryland’s fourth straight season opening victory as the Terps improved to 4-0 all-time against the Panthers.
Starting Strong: Brad Craddock’s 20-yard field goal on Maryland’s opening drive marked the first time the Terps scored on an opening possession since Stefon Diggs returned the opening kickoff 100 yards at Virginia on Oct. 13, 2012, and the first time they scored on the opening possession of a season opener since Sept. 5, 2011 against Miami.
Offensive Outburst: The Terrapin offense racked up 520 yards of total offense and scored 43 points with 40 points coming in the first half. Against Morgan State on Sept. 11, 2010, the Terps scored 45 marking the last time Maryland scored 40 or more points in the first half. The Terps’ 520 total yards marks the first time Maryland has eclipsed the 500 yards of offense since posting 524 yards at North Carolina on Nov. 12, 2005.
Welcome Back: After missing the 2012 season with an ACL injury, C.J. Brown completed 20-of-23 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns and rushed 105 yards and two scores. The five touchdowns he accounted for is the most by a Maryland player since Scott McBrien accounted for six against North Carolina on Nov. 1, 2003.
Do It All: Brown led the team in passing and rushing. The last time a Maryland quarterback led in both categories came at the 2002 Orange Bowl (Jan. 2) against Florida. Shaun Hill threw for 257 yards and rushed for 31 yards.
Long Time: Deon Long made his debut with the Terps by catching nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Long is the first Maryland receiver to go over 100 yards receiving since Stefon Diggs finished with 152 at Boston College on Oct. 27, 2012.
Picking Up Where He Left Off: After a record-setting freshman season, Stefon Diggs started the 2013 season on a strong note. Diggs caught five passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. On the score, C.J. Brown found the wideout wide open down field for a 66-yard score tying his career long. Caleb Rowe hooked up with Diggs for a 66-yard touchdown at Boston College on Oct. 27, 2012.
Back in Action: C.J. Brown raced 29 yards for Maryland’s first touchdown of the season. It was Brown’s sixth career rushing touchdown and first since he rushed for two scores at NC State on Nov. 26, 2011.
Brown to Long: C.J. Brown found Deon Long in the end zone for a 25-yard score for the Terps first passing touchdown of the season. It was Brown’s eighth career passing touchdown and Long’s first receiving touchdown as a Terrapin.
First Four Possessions: Maryland scored on its first four possessions of the game. The last time the Terps accomplished the feat came at home against Wake Forest on Oct. 30, 2010. Maryland hit a field goal on its opening possession and followed it up with three consecutive touchdowns.
A First for Goins: Kenneth Goins, Jr., caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Brown for Maryland’s fifth score of the afternoon marking the redshirt freshman’s first collegiate touchdown.
Defensive Notes: L.A. Goree led the team in tackles with 10 marking the fourth straight game dating back to last season that he led or tied for the team high in tackles. Cole Farrand, Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil and Quinton Jefferson all had seven tackles. Cudjoe-Virgil and Jefferson combined on a sack, while Marcus Whitfield finished with 1.5. Isaac Goins recovered a fumble off of a hit delivered by Alex Twine and Abner Logan. With a juggling third quarter interception, Dexter McDougle raised his career INT total to four. Darius Kilgo and Roman Braglio added sacks, while Andre Monroe finished with 0.5 sack.
– Maryland –
The post Edsall remains perfect in season openers at Maryland appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.
