After the Maryland football team navigated through its easy nonconference schedule without a loss, it returned to Maryland Stadium for the first time in almost a month to play Purdue in its Big Ten opener.

The Terps dominated the first half on both sides of the ball and appear to be on their way to their first 4-0 start since 2013. Here are three takeaways from the opening two periods.

1. Hills responds to first interception

On the third play of Maryland’s first drive, quarterback Perry Hills reverted back to his former self, throwing a short pass directly to a Purdue defender inside the Terps’ 30-yard line. The interception marked the Terps first turnover of the season.

Hills’ miscue didn’t result in any harm, as the defense forced a field goal and Boilermakers kicker J.D. Dellinger missed the 35-yard attempt. Hills returned to the field moments later with the chance to make up for his early mistake.

The drive started with a 20-yard pitch and catch from Hills to running back Wes Brown, and later in the drive, Hills sliced through Purdue’s second level for a 30-yard run. On 1st-and-10 from the Boilermakers 11-yard line, wide receiver Teldrick Morgan made a diving catch in the back-left corner of the end zone.

With Hills leading the charge, Maryland had the lead.

2. Several Terps still receiving touches

Eight Maryland players ran the ball in its season opener against Howard on Sept. 3. Against Florida International a week later, Maryland’s first game against a FBS program, the Terps had seven rushers.

The running-back-by committee strategy has been a successful one, and it seems like it’s here to stay. Seven Terps rushers ran for 216 yards — they averaged 266.7 rushing yards through their first three games — and three touchdowns in the opening 30 minutes against Purdue. Aside from Hills, who ran it six times, none of these players had more than four carries.

Maryland’s second touchdown came from running back Lorenzo Harrison (see video below), as the freshman bursted through the line untouched and ran 62 yards for the score, his fourth in as many games. The DeMatha Catholic High School product has been the Terps’ most effective back so far in 2016.

Running back Ty Johnson added an eight-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, while Hills, wearing No. 11, ran it in from 11 yards out with 11 seconds to go before halftime.

3. Defensive domination

Purdue averaged 1.7 yards per play in the first half.

Enough said.