Navy @ Maryland preview
M&T Bank Stadium
Can Maryland's defense withstand Navy's pick-your-poison
triple option? That's the biggest question in Monday's meeting between the Terrapins and Midshipmen at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
Led by quarterback Ricky Dobbs, fullback Vince Murray and slot back Marcus Curry, the Midshipmen rolled up almost 5,000 yards of total offense in 2009, with nearly 4,000 of yards coming on the ground. All three ground threats are back for Navy.
To simulate the confusion created by the Midshipmen's attack, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen had his scout team operate the triple option in practice without a football, forcing his defense to follow their assignments rather than the ball.
Navy returns three starters on the offensive line, including a pair of three-year starters that coach Ken Niumatalolo has called the best tackle tandem of the triple-option era, Jeff Battipaglia and Matt Molloy.
The Terps, coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, ranked No. 66 nationally in stopping the run by allowing 150.8 yards per game. They bring six starters back on defense and seven of their top 10 tacklers from last season. Senior linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten were the 2009 team leaders in tackles and sacks, respectively.
Maryland's passing game is a big question mark behind quarterback Jamarr Robinson and an offensive line that was ranked 110th nationally in sacks allowed.
Running back Da'Rel Scott was an all-ACC freshman in 2008 but missed five games last season due to injury. Along with talented receiver Torrey Smith, they are the Terps' top weapons.
Navy returns five defensive starters, including senior end Jabaree Tuani, but the rest of the front line and linebackers are new to the job. The strength of Navy's defense is in the secondary, where top tackler and interception leader Wyatt Middleton mans the rover role between fellow seniors Emmett Merchant and Kevin Edwards.
The kicking game could be the wild card. Maryland starting placekicker Nick Ferrara is out with an injury. Punter Travis Baltz will take his place.
Led by quarterback Ricky Dobbs, fullback Vince Murray and slot back Marcus Curry, the Midshipmen rolled up almost 5,000 yards of total offense in 2009, with nearly 4,000 of yards coming on the ground. All three ground threats are back for Navy.
To simulate the confusion created by the Midshipmen's attack, Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen had his scout team operate the triple option in practice without a football, forcing his defense to follow their assignments rather than the ball.
Navy returns three starters on the offensive line, including a pair of three-year starters that coach Ken Niumatalolo has called the best tackle tandem of the triple-option era, Jeff Battipaglia and Matt Molloy.
The Terps, coming off a disappointing 2-10 season, ranked No. 66 nationally in stopping the run by allowing 150.8 yards per game. They bring six starters back on defense and seven of their top 10 tacklers from last season. Senior linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten were the 2009 team leaders in tackles and sacks, respectively.
Maryland's passing game is a big question mark behind quarterback Jamarr Robinson and an offensive line that was ranked 110th nationally in sacks allowed.
Running back Da'Rel Scott was an all-ACC freshman in 2008 but missed five games last season due to injury. Along with talented receiver Torrey Smith, they are the Terps' top weapons.
Navy returns five defensive starters, including senior end Jabaree Tuani, but the rest of the front line and linebackers are new to the job. The strength of Navy's defense is in the secondary, where top tackler and interception leader Wyatt Middleton mans the rover role between fellow seniors Emmett Merchant and Kevin Edwards.
The kicking game could be the wild card. Maryland starting placekicker Nick Ferrara is out with an injury. Punter Travis Baltz will take his place.