Injuries have hindered Terps in recent weeks Before he coached a game at Maryland, “two-deep” was a buzzword that dominated the discussions of Randy Edsall as he continually stressed the need of his new team to build depth.
Halfway through his first season in College Park, Edsall’s worst fears have been realized. Injuries have exposed a team lacking in his ideal: two-deep talent.
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As Maryland (2-4) prepares to travel to Florida State (3-3), Edsall’s task is familiar as he tries to compete with an opponent that has many more quality players and much more experience.
| Up next |
| Maryland at Florida State |
| When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m. |
| Where » Doak Campbell |
| Stadium, Tallahassee |
| TV » ABC |
On Saturday, when the Terps could start as many as seven freshmen and six sophomores, Florida State will counter with a starting lineup typical of a powerful NCAA program: five seniors, nine juniors, six sophomores and two freshmen.
“We’re really kind of thin right now at wide receiver, defensive back, linebacker a little bit,” Edsall said. “But I think we’ll start to get a couple guys back here off the injury shelf in the next couple weeks — or at least I hope we do.”
In a rare bit of good news, linebacker Darin Drakeford, out for six weeks with an ankle sprain, will return against Florida State. Offensive tackle Justin Gilbert, coming off knee surgery, is on schedule to return for the Virginia game on Nov. 5.
Another starter who could be back this week is freshman tackle Andre Monroe, listed as questionable in Thursday’s injury report. Linebackers Kenny Tate and Demetrius Hartsfield may need more time. Both were listed as doubtful.
Another player who could return by the end of the year is defensive lineman Justin Anderson, a starter last year who has been sidelined since foot surgery in August. But Edsall said Thursday he will not put players at risk.
“I’m not going to sacrifice anybody just to try to win a football game,” Edsall said. “The kids mean too much to me.”
Last week’s loss to Clemson cost Maryland three players. Top receiver Kevin Dorsey (hamstring) is out for an unspecified period. Wideout Tyrek Cheeseboro and linebacker Avery Graham, both special team players, are done for the season.
Edsall also said he is done elevating true freshmen. Because of injuries, players such as wide receiver Marcus Leak, linebacker Alex Twine and defensive end Keith Bowers have been forced into the lineup in seasons in which they perhaps would have been better served as redshirts.
Other factors, in addition to injuries, have stretched Maryland thin. Twelve players with eligibility remaining left the program before the season.
Upon his hire, Edsall also found the Terps poorly stocked at some positions. The most extreme case was linebacker. Edsall addressed the lack by shifting Tate, an All-ACC safety, to the position.
But injuries to all three starting linebackers forced Edsall to start a freshman trio against No. 8 Clemson, which the Tigers exploited in their 56-45 victory last week.
“It’s tough,” Maryland tackle Joe Vellano said. “The No. 8 team in the country and last year [the freshmen] were playing against high school teams.”
