When DJ Durkin took over as the Maryland football coach in December, he revamped the personnel and culture of the program.
Durkin, who served as Michigan’s defensive coordinator last season, brought in a new offensive and defensive coordinator along with numerous other assistant coaches. Walt Bell, formerly the offensive coordinator at Arkansas State, has spent the spring attempting to turn the Terps into an up-tempo team.
Fans saw this new-look squad for the first time Saturday at Maryland Stadium, as the Terps held their annual spring game. Durkin decided to pin the offense against the defense. The defense received points for defensive touchdowns (seven), forced turnovers (seven), three and outs (three points) and defensive stops (two points).
The offense, labeled as the White team, featured some explosive plays — each of its five touchdowns came from at least 40 yards — but the Red team was able to get enough stops to secure a 51-35 win.
“We made great strides throughout the spring,” Durkin said. “At times it looked good, at times it didn’t look so good, but really overall, I’m proud of my guys and what they did. Not just today but throughout the spring.”
Here are a few other takeaways as the Terps concluded the spring season, Durkin’s first at the helm of the program.
HILLS, ROWE SEE TIME AT QB
Hills, after starting eight games last season, began Saturday’s game under center, but him and Rowe alternated at quarterback for the first part of the opening quarter.
While Hills led drives that ended in a fumble and a punt during his first two series, Rowe’s first possession concluded with a 48-yard touchdown throw to wide receiver Levern Jacobs. Rowe, who appeared in 10 games a year ago, threw for 161 yards on seven completions and a touchdown.
Hills, meanwhile, completed 14 of 25 for 102 yards and a touchdown.
“Caleb and Perry are both doing a good job,” Durkin said. “They both made great improvements throughout the spring.”
Durkin said the quarterback competition will continue into the summer. The Terps will also welcome freshmen quarterbacks Max Bortenschlager and Tyrell Pigrome, both of whom are three-start recruits, in the fall, and Durkin said both players could affect the quarterback battle.
For now, though, Hills and Rowe will continue to fight for the starting job.
“We have competed in the weight room over the winter, competed in the classroom, everything,” Hills said. “So the competition really brings out the best of everyone so everyone is going to keep competing.”
UP-TEMPO OFFENSE YIELDS MIXED RESULTS
Those at Maryland Stadium on Saturday afternoon watched a different style of Terps offense then they’ve seen in past years.
But in using the no-huddle offense, the Terps had trouble sustaining possessions. While all five of the Terps’ touchdowns were at least 40 yards or more, they failed to make one trip to the red zone. And several times throughout the game, the Terps went three and out.
When they did score, though, it came quickly. Jacobs caught touchdown passes of 48 and 57 yards. Running back Ty Johnson broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run, and wide receive Jacquille Veii capped the scoring with a 63-yard receiving score.
Hills and Rowe said this type of offense is built around making big plays, so neither quarterback was particularly concerned with the Terps’ inconsistent attack. After 14 spring practices, it’s something Rowe said the offense needs to keep working on.
“Still trying to get the offense gelling together, so I don’t think it’s a big problem,” Rowe said. “The defense kind of got the best of us a few of those plays.”
JOHNSON SHINES IN BACKFIELD
Former running back Brandon Ross exhausted his eligibility after last season, so the Terps enter this year trying to make up for his 1,012 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Running back Wes Brown began the game, but it was Johnson who broke out with a 167-yard rushing performance on 11 carries. He burst through the secondary late in the first quarter and went untouched into the end zone from 64 yards out.
Johnson’s opportunities were limited in 2015 — the Cumberland native had 35 attempts for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
Scout.com ranked him as the No. 1 running back in Maryland, and Johnson, with his performance Saturday, seems ready to make an impact with his home-state school in the fall.
