Erin Henderson (1), Mack Frost (91) and the Terp defense allowed Middle Tennessee to gain a lot of yards, but only allowed 10 points Saturday night.

A pullout poster of senior safety Marcus Wimbush was included inside every program sold to fans Saturday night. Wimbush was also pictured on the front cover along with senior tackle Stephon Heyer.

Ordinarily, it wouldn’t raise any eyebrows, but reports surfaced Wednesday night and Thursday that Wimbush is facing charges stemming from last year’s Oct. 31 brawl at Cornerstone Grill and Loft. And Saturday night, Wimbush didn’t see any action until midway through the fourth quarter, as J.J. Justice started at safety instead.

After his team’s 24-10 victory over Middle Tennessee, Terrapin football coach Ralph Friedgen reiterated that Wimbush didn’t play much because of a knee injury he first discussed Thursday afternoon.

“[Wimbush] hurt his knee, and he had a meniscus [injury], too,” Friedgen said. “We were worried about putting him in there, and we know he can hit – how well could he cover?”

Regarding Wimbush’s status, Friedgen told reporters Thursday “[Trainers] think he’s going to play this weekend, so we’ll see.”

Justice said after the game that Friedgen told him Thursday he would be starting. Justice did, and made his presence felt late in the game.

About halfway through the fourth quarter, Justice picked off a second-down pass to the delight of the remaining fans. But the junior fumbled the ball on the return, and Middle Tennessee’s Brandon Nix recovered.

Justice finished with four tackles and committed the Terps’ only turnover of the game. Friedgen praised his play, but added that he wished the junior would have held onto the interception.

“I got the pick and I got off the first tackle, and I thought maybe I’d have a chance to return it,” Justice said. “I should’ve just went down with it because the game was basically wrapped up.”

In full uniform, Wimbush warmed up before the game and stood on the sideline with his helmet in his hand or sat on the team’s bench during the game, joining in on defensive and special teams’ huddles regularly.

Late in the fourth quarter, as the Blue Raiders were driving through Terp territory following Justice’s interception and fumble, Wimbush got into the game. The Terp defense stopped Middle Tennessee from scoring and clinched the win.

“The trainer told me [Wimbush] could play,” Friedgen said afterwards when asked why Wimbush didn’t see action until the second half. “J.J. looked like he was winded. Jeff Allen was hurt. So we put him in at the end of the game.”

Justice said he had built up his conditioning during the week and didn’t feel winded as the Blue Raiders marched down the field late in the game.

“I was fine. I guess they just wanted to bring [Wimbush] in at the end of the game to give him some playing time,” Justice said. “I was pretty upset about the fumble, but it wasn’t like I was winded or anything.”

Justice didn’t ask why Wimbush was replacing him and added that he wasn’t surprised after reading the senior would get some playing time. As for Thursday’s game against West Virginia, Justice wasn’t sure if he would get the start.

“I hope his knee’s better regardless, he’s my teammate,” Justice said. “If I get to start, I get to start. I’m gonna go out there with high hopes either way.”

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.