C.J. Brown
When the Terrapins football team took the field against Clemson two weeks ago, the team’s offense had a different feel. With quarterback Caleb Rowe throwing passes to wide receivers Levern Jacobs and Amba Etta-Tawo, it was as if the Terps were back in training camp with their second team getting its reps in.
But after injuries decimated the Terps’ offense, those players were forced into action, and the Terps struggled through a 40-27 loss.
When Syracuse visits Byrd Stadium tomorrow, though, the Terps offense will look much different. Wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long are still out, but quarterback C.J. Brown, running back Brandon Ross and tight end Dave Stinebaugh all return, which bodes well for a team on the precipice of bowl eligibility.
“I feel great,” Brown said Tuesday. “I feel confident going into this week. I’m really looking forward to getting back out there, being with the guys, coming out in Byrd and having some fun.”
While breaking in a new left tackle in Moise Larose against an aggressive Syracuse defense, Brown’s presence becomes even more important for the Terps, who have stagnated on offense over the past month after a hot start to the year.
When healthy in the season’s first month, Brown was the dual-threat quarterback many expected to see. There was no rust from his torn ACL, and he made plays both through the air and on the ground.
But he suffered a concussion at Florida State on Oct. 5 and suffered injuries in the Terps’ loss at Wake Fores on Oct. 19. He missed two games, and the Terps staggered to a 1-3 record over the past four contests.
“I think the biggest thing is just not losing a step,” Brown said. “You get dinged up throughout the season and just making sure that you are out there and taking care of your body and going through the right precautions and things like that. Everyone’s going after you each week and getting better, and when you’re not out there, you just got to take those mental reps and make sure when you come back out there you’re not missing a step.”
Backups such as Jacobs and Etta-Tawo who were thrust into the lineup to replace injured starters have another two weeks of practices under their belts and increased familiarity with more playing time. Jacobs’ electric performance against Clemson showed there’s still potential despite the injuries; he and Etta-Tawo just need to sustain that level of play.
“It’s one of those situations where I think they all relish the opportunity that’s presented itself for them, where they’ve got to got a chance now to go out and step up and know they’re going to play the majority of plays,” Edsall said. “It’s not going to be where they only play a handful of plays. They’ve got to carry the load and when you’ve got to go out there and have that burden on you, you’re expected to step up and play to the level that allows us to win.”
Despite the return of some key offensive pieces, the Terps defense could once again become a question mark because of injuries. Inside linebacker Cole Farrand, who recorded 23 tackles against Clemson, suffered a head injury in practice and is out. Cornerback Jeremiah Johnson, who fractured a bone in his toe in the season opener against Florida International, was expected back this week after his initial prognosis, but he remains out. Inside linebacker L.A. Goree (back) is questionable along with safety Anthony Nixon (toe).
Syracuse quarterback Terrel Hunt is a threat both on the ground and through the air, so the Terps could be counting on backups like inside linebacker Shawn Petty — who could make his first career defensive start in Farrand’s place — to contain the Orange.
The Orange has been uneven at times this season, losing 56-0 to Georgia Tech before shutting out a Wake Forest team that beat the Terps, 34-10, a few weeks ago.
For the third straight game, the Terps have the opportunity to clinch bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. But after falling flat the previous two times out, the rested Terps are hoping things unfold differently this weekend and beyond.
“The actual goal we set wasn’t just for six wins,” wide receiver Nigel King said. “We want to get as many wins as possible, but of course we do want to be bowl eligible, so we’ll take it week by week. The sixth win would mean a lot, but we’re not settling for six.”
