Defense not generating pressure or turnovers
When Don Brown took over as defensive coordinator at Maryland, he introduced an aggressive risk/reward scheme.
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After watching their team surrender 87 points in the first two games, Maryland fans have become familiar with the risks. They’re still waiting for the rewards.
In the Terps’ opener, a 52-13 loss at California, the Golden Bears had five plays that went for 39 or more yards. In Saturday’s 38-35 overtime victory against visiting Division I-AA James Madison, the Terps yielded a 70-yard touchdown run by Dukes quarterback Drew Dudzik.
Brown’s unpredictable, blitzing defense is designed to get defenders to the quarterback and produce mistakes. But so far, Maryland has just two sacks and has yet to force a turnover.
“We’re not getting pressure,” said Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen. “That’s the problem.”
Saturday when Maryland plays host to Middle Tennessee State, a team it lost to, 24-14, in 2008, the Terps defense will try to play Brown ball. It won’t be easy. Co-captain and starting cornerback Nolan Carroll (broken leg) is out for the year. Starting safety Jamari McCollough (foot) also is likely to be sidelined.
“We’re still trying to fill in all the gaps,” said Brown. “You don’t get better when you go from a system you’ve been in for eight years. All the sudden, here you go, ‘Fellas we’re gonna go do this,’ and think it’s gonna be a breeze. Bottom line is, I’m responsible for it. I’m accountable.”
Working with an unfamiliar and inexperienced unit has complicated the transition for Brown, formerly the head coach at I-AA UMass. Even if it is your trademark, applying pressure is a difficult feat with only one returning starter in the front seven.
But Brown saw positive signs Saturday as Maryland limited Madison to one first down on its last four possessions.
“You learn more from going through an experience like that, and winning, than the other type of experience,” said Brown. “Our intensity in the fourth quarter, our hitting level, really raised. In overtime we were extremely decisive in our alignments, our assignments. It’s something to build on.”
In overtime, the Maryland defense paved the way for victory. On first down, end Deege Galt and linebacker Adrian Moten stuffed Dudzik. On second down, linebacker Alex Wujciak did the same. After an incompletion, Madison missed a 41-yard field goal attempt.
“They never stopped believing on the sideline. I think that’s a huge step for us,” said Brown. “The positive trait that’s come out the first two weeks is, we’ll fight you in the alley. We’ll stay the course. That I’m most proud of.”
Now if the defense could only force a turnover. Brown’s most frustrating moment Saturday came when he saw JMU’s Jon Williams intercept a pass and race 62 yards, down the Maryland sideline, for a go-ahead touchdown.
It’s the kind of play Brown has designed his defense to accomplish.
“I could have got fired tonight,” said Brown. “I almost dove off the sideline on the interception and clotheslined him. But I refrained from doing that”
