QUARTERBACK
C- Despite starting the season as the third string quarterback, sophomore Chris Turner emerged as the team’s best option. Turner started eight games, throwing for 1,958 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions. Turner completed 63.5 percent of his passes for an average of 178 yards per game. He also led the Terrapins to wins over top-10 opponents Rutgers and Boston College. The Terrapins averaged 203.2 yards passing in 12 conference games, ranking seventh in the ACC. Turner likely will be the favorite entering camp in August, when he, Jordan Steffy and transfer Josh Portis, who was suspended this season, compete for the starting job.
RUNNING BACKS
B- Led by seniors Keon Lattimore (805 yards, 13 TDs) and Lance Ball (768, 12 TDs), the running game produced 76 percent of the team’s touchdowns, but failed to produce 100 yards in six games, five of which were losses, including in the Emerald Bowl. Freshman Da?Rel Scott, who caught a touchdown in the upset of Boston College, will carry most of the load next season.
RECEIVERS
C- After a brilliant freshman season, Darrius Heyward-Bey failed to emerge as a superstar. He led the team with 51 catches for 786 yards and three touchdowns and was the lone bright spot on an underachieving unit. In 13 games, receivers averaged 203.4 yards on 17.2 catches per game, and made just nine touchdown catches. The group was plagued by dropped passes, especially in losses to Wake Forest and Oregon State.
OFFENSIVE LINE
C- On a team stricken with injuries, this group suffered most. Starting guards Andrew Crummey and Jamie Thomas and tackle Scott Burley missed time with injuries. The line allowed an average of 2.9 sacks per game, with a high of six in a loss at Wake Forest. The unit also failed to effectively block for Ball and Lattimore.
DEFENSIVE LINE
C The defensive front started strong, but recorded just 28 sacks in 13 games. Defensive tackle Dre Moore led the team with six sacks, and junior end Jeremy Navarre contributed 5.5. Maryland allowed 147.3 yards rushing per game ? ninth-most in the ACC.
LINEBACKERS
B- Erin Henderson played hurt for most of the season, but the junior led the team with 133 tackles, including 11 behind the line of scrimmage. Junior Moise Fokou stepped into a starting role and freshman Adrian Moten, who had made some rookie miscues, showed some promise for the future. But the unit’s downfall was its propensity to miss tackles, as the Terrapins allowed a 30-yard run in six games.
SECONDARY
B- The Terrapins limited the opposition to fewer than 200 yards through the air during six games. The Terrapins intercepted 13 passes, led by junior corner Kevin Barnes‘ four. The Terrapins allowed conference opponents to average 219.2 yards passing per game, which was eighth-most in the ACC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
B+ Rookie punter, unproven kicker and unknown return men. True freshman Travis Baltz averaged 40.9 yards per punt, and junior Obi Egekeze made 17-of-23 field goals, including a long of 46 yards. Freshman Da?Rel Scott was effective on kick returns, returning 26 for an average of 21.8 yards. Three punt returners combined to average 7.1 yards with no return more than 19 yards. Coverage units did not allow a touchdown.
COACHING
B- After a loss at lowly North Carolina, Coach Ralph Friedgen?s team could have given up. But Maryland rallied around its seniors to shut out North Carolina State in the final regular season game, clinching a bowl game. Still, the team squandered chances to defeat Wake Forest, Virginia and North Carolina.
OVERALL
C- Despite a 6-7 record, Maryland outscored opponents, 313-280. The Terrapins defeated two top-10 teams and reached a bowl game. In any other year, it would be a fantastic season. But Maryland also lost five conference games and never seemed to reach its potential in a losing season. For a team with aspirations of competing for a division crown, Maryland fell well short.
