MIAMI — In the Maryland football team’s season opener last Saturday against Howard, running backs Ty Johnson and Trey Edmunds teamed up for a blocked punt return for a touchdown to punctuate the first quarter with momentum the squad used to generate a 35-point halftime lead.

In the Terps’ contest against Florida International six days later, their first on the road under coach DJ Durkin, the Terps used another return touchdown to jumpstart their production.

With about two and a half minutes left in the first quarter Friday night at FIU Stadium, Panthers quarterback Alex McGough dropped back for a slant pass, which cornerback Alvin Hill tipped into the air. Linebacker Jermaine Carter corralled the ball and scampered 14 yards down the sideline to the end zone to give Maryland a 10-0 lead.

The redshirt junior was soon engulfed in a swarm of celebratory coaches and teammates, and that energy continued through the rest of the half. Durkin’s squad entered the break with a 31-7 lead, one it didn’t relinquish en route to a 41-14 victory.

“Our coaches always talk about fanatical effort and running to the ball,” Carter said. “Alvin made a great play on the ball, and then it just popped up, and it was in my hands, and then I just had to go get in the end zone for my team.”

On the play, Carter blitzed from the right side before retreating back, looking to help make a tackle. Durkin was satisfied as he watched one of his defensive leaders streak down the field.

One of his main points of emphasis since taking over the program since last December has been turnovers — limiting giveaways in an offense that led the nation in interceptions last year and generating extra possessions on defense. Carter’s steal was the defense’s first in 2016.

“To get one finally was good for us, and to get Jermaine in the end zone was great,” Durkin said. “Those guys we’re all excited.”

On the other side of the ball, the Terps also met the coach’s ball security standard.

Quarterback Perry Hills played for the first three quarters, completing 13 of his 18 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. The redshirt senior also rushed for 52 yards and caught a 21-yard pass on a reverse from wide receiver D.J. Moore before freshman Tyrrell Pigrome relieved Hills with 46 seconds left in the third frame.

Two of Hills’ scores came in the second quarter as the team rallied around Carter’s takeaway.

After running back Lorenzo Harrison, a true freshman out of DeMatha Catholic High School, scored to put the Terps up, 17-0, the Panthers struck for their lone first-half points. Florida International running back Alexander Gardner barreled 55 yards up the middle before a four-yard plunge into the end zone on the next play.

Carter said defensive coordinator Andy Buh made some adjustments to his unit after the gains, and the efforts showed on the Panthers’ ensuing possession.

On 2nd-and-1 from Maryland’s 37-yard line, defensive lineman Jesse Aniebonam stopped Gardner for no gain. Defensive lineman Roman Braglio and linebacker Shane Cockerille teamed up to do the same on the next play, too.

Then Durkin called a timeout to give his defense a chance to set up against the Panthers’ quick quarterback sneak attempt on 4th-and-1. After Maryland’s break, Panthers coach Ron Turner called one of his. It didn’t matter though, because a swarm of Terps teamed up for the possession-switching stop.

The Terps drained the next three minutes off the clock before Hills hit Derrick Hayward with 56 seconds left in the half for his first career touchdown and a 24-point lead.

As the Terps rotated through reserve for much of the second half, Durkin said he wanted his team to improve the way it maintained energy throughout the game. Maryland allowed a four-yard lob touchdown between Florida International reserve quarterback Maurice Alexander — starter Alex McGough was injured trying to make a tackle of Carter’s return — and wide receiver Austin Maloney.

But the late points again weren’t enough to cut into the Terps’ advantage that stemmed from the first-quarter scoring spurt.

“We all came out here and had a good time,” Hills said. “That’s the final point. Come out here and have fun.”