Explosiveness. It?s what can turn an average offense into somethinggreat. On Saturday night against Florida State, the Maryland football team found the explosiveness and speed that it was looking for, and, ironically, something that their visiting Atlantic Coast Conference opponent has long featured.
“I think so many guys stepped up,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said after the Terps improved to 6-2 with a 27-24 win. “Darrius Heyward-Bey made some big plays.”
Heyward-Bey, a freshman, caught three passes for 57 yards. He made crucial third-down grabs and added a highlight-reel 30-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. Hauling in the pass at the 12-yard line, Heyward-Bey left a host Seminoles, who are historically known for their speed, in the dust with a 180-degree spin move en route to the end zone.
For Terps fans, plays like that have been a long time coming. Maryland seemed to lack such highlights in its last two seasons ? both 5-6 finishes.
Coming into this season, the Terps? biggest concern was wide receiver, a position they were as deep at as they were young. The learning curves have been steep for these players, but Friedgen has been pleased with their development. And Saturday, they showed what they?re capable of.
“These are young kid?s mistakes. … It?s all part of a learning, of a work in progress,” Friedgen said.
Plenty of other young players besides Heyward-Bey came out of their shells. Sophomore Daniel Oquendo electrified the stadium with his game-breaking punt returns. He totaled three for 85 yards, with a long of 45. He also snapped off an 18-yard reverse in the first half, breaking a head-high tackle in the backfield and weaving between blockers.
Sophomore tight end Dan Gronkowski chipped in, too, hauling in his first career touchdown pass in the first quarter.
“We made some plays ? me, Joey [Haynos], Isaiah [Williams] and Daniel,” Heyward-Bey said. “If we can get five catches between us but get a win, we?ll take it.”
The explosiveness is back in College Park, and the rest of the ACC is on notice.
