Maryland Football: Five takeaways from nonconference play
By Chris Bengel
Maryland’s offense didn’t miss a beat during the first two games.
However, Central Florida proved to be the team’s first true test as the offense left a lot to be desired at times. The Terps left points on the board on multiple occasions.
One of the most glaring came from the arm of Hills.
With 10:43 remaining in the third quarter, Maryland only led 10-7 against Central Florida. On the first play of the drive, Hills dropped back and had a wide-open Malcolm Culmer right down the seam.
Unfortunately for the Terps, the pass was just a little too high for Culmer and it fell to the turf. If the pass would’ve been completed, Maryland would’ve likely had at least a field goal out of that sequence.
The drive ended with a 51-yard field goal attempt from Adam Greene that wasn’t converted.
Greene also didn’t have the best outing against the Knights.
The junior kicker made his first field goal attempts from 33 yards out as time expired in the first half. The kick was made much more manageable thanks to a 51-yard pass play to Teldrick Morgan , which put the ball at the Knight 15-yard line.
However, Greene really struggled to find his groove in the second half.
On Maryland’s first two drives in the third quarter, the former Broadneck (Md.) kicker failed to convert field goals from 38 and 51 yards respectively. Greene has hit four of his six field attempts through the first three games.
He actually connected on his first four attempts. Greene made a pair of kicks against Florida International and one against Howard.
Obviously, the Terps have been spoiled in recent years with the success of Brad Craddock. However, if they’re going to make some noise in the Big Ten this season, Greene will have to be a little more effective.