Captain Canada wrote: ↑08 Mar 2026, 10:33Malik been cooking to start the season. Can't let UCLA fuck that bag up.
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redsox907
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redsox907
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Turtles Get Snappy In UCLA Blowout
Marcus Washington // Terpsville • Published: October 14th, 2028
The people were calling for the Maryland Terrapins to make a statement in Pasadena and I think it's safe to say they delivered. The Terrapins' defense made a statement on the opening play of the game, leveling Brendon McQueen on the catch and forcing the fumble. It was the first of three fumbles forced by the Maryland defense and the offense capitalized each time, scoring off all three turnovers.
Malik Washington took advantage of the early turnover, lacing a frozen rope to Emanuel Ross for the early touchdown. The Bruins and backup QB Vai Sagapolu would utilize the no-huddle to march down the field before Sagapolu found halfback Troy Leigber on a screen pass, working his way through the Terps' defense for the equalizer.
From there, it was all Terps. They built a 31-14 lead with the Bruins' only other score coming on an explosive 63-yard pass to Rameir Hardy, but outside of the big touchdown, the Bruins were held in check despite a few big runs by Karson Cox.
The third quarter found both teams feeling each other out, but by the fourth quarter the Terps finished the job. Two more fumbles, including a strip sack by Garrison Dobbs for a touchdown, piled on as Maryland made a statement with a 52-21 demolition in Pasadena.
After the game, Coach Leon praised the physicality of his defense and the playmaking ability of Malik Washington.
•••
Question One - Robert Golden (Daily Bruin): "Coach Leon, despite the lopsided score your defense gave up a fair share of chunk plays. Is that something you're willing to absorb playing so aggressive and forcing three turnovers?"
Armando Leon: "It's a give and take, Robert. We made a decision to play aggressive toward the ball and with that comes a susceptibility to get beat with motion and screens. They exploited that a bit in the game, but if you've followed my career you'd know our motto. We're going to get ours, more than we get got. And you saw that tonight."
Question Two - Aisha Thompson (Terp Magazine): "You addressed the 'mesh merchant' label that Malik has started seeing earlier this week with Marcus Washington. Today's stat line likely will fuel those comments again, despite 279 total yards and five touchdowns. Is that something Malik, Coach Shanahan, or yourself is overly concerned with?"
Armando Leon: "You said five touchdowns, correct? And no turnovers? I think those stats speak for themselves, Aisha. Label him whatever you want, but he's executing, keeping the chains moving, and playing mistake-free. We were 5/5 on scoring drives in the first half. I'll take a 'mesh merchant' with those stats any day, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that sentiment."
Question Three - Rodrigo Gomez (The Pasadena Star-News): "Many were beginning to wonder if the win over Michigan was a fluke after a close loss to Washington was followed by a narrow win over Rutgers, a team many thought you would handle easily. Was that in the back of the team's mind when you guys took the field against UCLA, wanting to get another ranked win to silence the critics?"
Armando Leon: "We were aware of the perception shift, but there isn't anything we can do about that. We care about wins and losses, and we entered Pasadena at 4-1. We're leaving at 5-1. Whether it's an AP-ranked win, or not, we really do not care."
•••
Coach Leon is saying all the right things with the infamous Mike Tomlin quote, but I'll say what he can't. It felt like the Terrapins HAD to make a statement in Pasadena to show the win over Michigan wasn't a fluke, especially after the Wolverines dropped a contest to Northwestern—who is undefeated and ranked—last week.
If it was a statement the Terps went into Pasadena looking for, consider it done. But there are still lingering issues with the Terps if they want to keep the good times rolling.
Efficient or not, Malik Washington is not generating many big plays with his arm, so much as throwing to guys in space and letting them make the magic. It's not a terrible problem to have, but at some point against the upper echelon he's going to have to make some big boy throws. I'm not saying he can't; we just haven't seen that yet.
The defense continues to be a bend-don't-break unit, despite three forced fumbles, with sacks being a luxury and not the guarantee that usually accompanies Leon defenses.
This isn't a perfect team, but no one expected them to be. Yet, here we are at 5-1 and in firm control of our destiny. We keep moving Fearlessly Forward.
•••
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Maryland | 14 | 17 | 0 | 21 | 52 |
| UCLA | 7 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 21 |
| Q | Team | Time | Play | Maryland | UCLA |
| 1st | Maryland | 7:40 | Emanuel Ross, 11 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | UCLA | 5:15 | Troy Leigber, 34 Yd Pass From Vai Sagapolu | 7 | 7 |
| 1st | Maryland | 1:30 | Za'Ron Collins, 12 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 14 | 7 |
| 2nd | Maryland | 9:56 | Iverson Howard, 6 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 21 | 7 |
| 2nd | Maryland | 2:48 | Paul Colon, 11 Yd Run | 28 | 7 |
| 2nd | UCLA | 1:24 | Rameir Hardy, 63 Yd Pass From Vai Sagapolu | 28 | 14 |
| 2nd | Maryland | 0:01 | Donald Byler, 31 Yd FG | 31 | 14 |
| 4th | Maryland | 9:22 | Emanuel Ross, 3 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 38 | 14 |
| 4th | Maryland | 6:09 | Malik Washington, 8 Yd Run | 45 | 14 |
| 4th | Maryland | 5:24 | Keyshawn Flowers, Returned Fumble 2 Yds | 52 | 14 |
| 4th | UCLA | 3:05 | Karson Cox, 57 Yd Run | 52 | 21 |
Maryland UCLA Passing | Stats Passing | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Malik Washington | 30/36, 184 Yds, 4 TD Vai Sagapolu | 12/19, 217 Yds, 2 TD Rushing | Stats Rushing | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Paul Colon | 16 Att, 75 Yds, TD Karson Cox | 15 Att, 136 Yds, TD Malik Washington | 9 Att, 95 Yds, TD Vai Sagapolu | 3 Att, -24 Yds Iverson Howard | 13 Att, 84 Yds Receiving | Stats Receiving | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Emanuel Ross | 10 Rec, 79 Yds, 2 TD Rameir Hardy | 4 Rec, 87 Yds, TD Za'Ron Collins | 6 Rec, 49 Yds, TD Shane Rosenthal | 2 Rec, 45 Yds Bryce Randolph | 4 Rec, 20 Yds Troy Leigber | 1 Rec, 34 Yds, TD Defensive | Stats Defensive | Stats ----------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ MLB Keyshawn Flower | 7 Tkl, 3 TFL, 0.5 Sack LB Donavyn Pellot | 15 Tkl, 2 TFL DE Garrison Dobbs | 2 Tkl, 2 TFL, 1.5 Sacks, FF DE Denton Bauman | 7 Tkl, 4 TFL, Sack SS La'khi Roland | 5 Tkl, TFL FS Jadyn Hudson | 6 Tkl, 2 TFL
Big Ten Week Seven Results
31 #21 Washington (5-2) @ Indiana (4-2) 28
52 #6 Oregon (6-0) @ Wisconsin (4-3) 28
20 #13 Ohio State (5-2) @ #10 Penn State (5-1) 26
24 Purdue (3-4) @ Rutgers (2-5) 17
27 Michigan State (4-3) @ Illinois (4-3) 17
21 #22 Nebraska (5-2) @ #17 Michigan (4-2) 27
29 Iowa (3-3) @ Minnesota (5-1) 28
41 #11 USC (5-1) @ #19 Northwestern (5-1) 3
Notable Week Seven Results
48 #5 Texas (6-2) @ Oklahoma (3-4) 24
24 #12 Pittsburgh (6-1) @ Cal (3-3) 16
35 #2 Georgia (6-0) @ #16 Alabama (4-3) 32
38 Texas A&M (4-4) @ #15 Ole Miss (5-1) 23
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redsox907
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2028 Week Eight Preview: #13 Ohio State (5-2) @ Maryland (5-1)
Marcus Washington // Terpsville • Published: October 20th, 2028
The Maryland Terrapins took care of business on the West Coast and silenced any doubters to the legitimacy of their win over the Michigan Wolverines with a 52-21 drubbing over the UCLA Bruins, previously ranked 18th. Their reward?
A home clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes may have dropped two games already this season, including a 24-20 loss in Happy Valley to Penn State last week, but that doesn't mean they're any less intimidating. The Buckeyes are led by Heisman front-runner Mason Heintschel, the former Pitt Panther who joined the Buckeyes in the transfer portal, and behind the junior QB boast the 5th-highest scoring offense in the nation.
After the stat graphic, we'll get Coach Leon's thoughts on facing the juggernaut and how the final stretch of the season will shape how his first year as head coach is viewed in the latest "Inside the Shell."
•••
Maryland Terrapins (4-1) | Description | #13 Ohio State (5-2) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 81 Overall // 81 Offense // 81 Defense | Team Rating | 97 Overall // 99 Offense // 96 Defense Armando Leon (5-1) | Head Coach | Ryan Day (110-20) Spread | Offensive Scheme | Spread 3-3-5 | Defensive Scheme | 4-2-5 38.3 (14th) | Offensive Points Per Game | 42.6 (5th) 19.3 (18th) | Defensive Points Per Game | 24.1 (47th) 419.8 (43rd) | Offensive Yards Per Game | 449.7 (18th) 323.0 (15th) | Defensive Yards Per Game | 365.3 (52nd)
Maryland Terrapins | Description | Ohio State --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45-28 | Combined Record | 44-34 Towson (FCS) W 63-17 | Week One | Buffalo (2-5) W 37-10 Virginia Tech (4-3) W 37-14 | Week Two | @ Alabama (4-3) W 61-59 @ Michigan (4-2) W 28-20 | Week Three | Northern Illinois (1-5) W 70-10 BYE | Week Four | Wisconsin (4-3) L 27-24 Washington (5-2) L 24-20 | Week Five | @ UCLA (3-3) W 45-6 Rutgers (2-5) W 30-20 | Week Six | Washington (5-2) W 41-31 @ UCLA (3-3) W 52-21 | Week Seven | @ Penn State (5-1) L 26-20
Maryland Terrapins Ohio State --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HB Zymear Smith (89) Broken Fibula (24 Weeks) | Injuries | HB Tim Jackson (82) Torn Labrum (2 Weeks) LG Clarence Montrosse (77) Abdominal Tear (3 Weeks) | Injuries | MLB Joshua Nash (79) Broken Collarbone (4 Weeks)
Maryland Terrapins Ohio State --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SR Malik Washington (87) 124/187 (66%), 1,355 Yds, 15 TD, 0 INT | QB | JR(RS) Mason Heintschel (95) 178/268 (66%), 2,332 Yds, 25 TD, 2 INT SR Malik Washington (87) 58 Att, 363 Yds, TD | QB | JR(RS) Mason Heintschel (95) 54 Att, 158 Yds, 3 TD JR(RS) Iverson Howard (81) 79 Att, 430 Yds, 4 TD | HB | FR(RS) Deon Bouttte (84) 122 Att, 466 Yds, 6 TD SR(RS) Emanuel Ross (87) 28 Rec, 418 Yds, 5 TD | WR | SO(RS) JP Temple (99) 61 Rec, 823 Yds, 6 TD SR(RS) Za'Ron Collins (82) 22 Rec, 208 Yds, 3 TD | WR | SR(RS) Jordyn Bridgewater (91) 39 Rec, 564 Yds, 9 TD SR(RS) MLB Keyshawn Flowers 41 Tkl, 11 TFL, 1.5 Sack | DEF | SR(RS) SS Cody Haddad (77) 52 Tkl, TFL JR(RS) LB Jordon Robinson (78) 23 Tkl, 7 TFL, 0.5 Sack | DEF | SO(RS) DE George Herron (86) 19 Tkl, 5 TFL, 3 Sacks JR DE Garrison Dobbs (87) 10 Tkl, 7 TFL, 2.5 Sacks | DEF | SR DT Jarquez Carter (85) 14 Tkl, 3 TFL, 2 Sacks SR(RS) CB Braydon Lee 30 Tkl, 2 TFL, 2 INT | DEF | JR(RS) CB Aydan West (83) 31 Tkl, 2 TFL, 2 INT
Big Ten Week Eight Schedule
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•••
Inside the Shell
MW: "I'm going to get right into it today, Coach. Heisman front-runner Mason Heintschel and the 13th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes invade SECU Stadium this weekend. You've faced Heisman contenders before, with mixed results. When you're preparing to face a quarterback like Heintschel, do you acknowledge you won't be able to completely contain him?"
AL: "Absolutely, Marcus. You'd love to be able to shut a guy like that down, put that on your resume, but the reality is that he's the Heisman front-runner for a reason. He's the real deal. We need to make life hard for him, throw some unusual looks at him, hit him a few times, and slow him down enough for our own offense to break through. We aren't going into this game thinking we're going to get a shutout, just that we need to throw them off their rhythm enough that they aren't out there playing pitch-and-catch."
MW: "The Terrapins garnered over 100 votes in both the coaches and media polls this week, putting them on the verge of cracking the Top 25. A win versus Ohio State would likely springboard you guys into that tier, while a loss may secure your spot on the outside looking in for this season. How important is it for the team to crack that veritable wall into the Top 25 this season? And if you don't, how does that change how the 2028 season for the Terrapins is viewed?"
AL: "A win would absolutely catapult us into those rankings and while it's nice, if that's all we're focusing on then we've already lost. We can sit back at the end of the season and reflect on the could-haves and would-haves, but right now we're focused on the grind and on the process. Ultimately, if we don't crack the rankings because of a pair of ranked losses? So be it. But if we finish 10-2, 9-3 on the year, I'd say it's a perfect start."
MW: "I'm not saying this is my personal opinion, but Malik didn't do much to knock the 'mesh merchant' label in the win last week. With a defense as talented as the Buckeyes, how critical is it going to be for the Terrapins' offense to be able to make plays deep down the field?"
AL: "It's going to be crucial. Malik and I have talked about it extensively, with Coach Shanahan, about taking calculated risks downfield. They're just as athletic as we are, so we can't rely solely on getting guys in space and making plays. We're going to have to soften up that front seven, or we're going to be in for a long day."
•••
The Buckeyes have looked human in their two losses this year, to Wisconsin and Penn State respectively, while they've also looked downright scary in their wins. With Mason Heintschel slinging the rock, it's hard to bet against the Buckeyes.
This is one I've deliberated on for a while, but I can't justify predicting a Terps win here. I think we play hard, but the speed and skill of the Buckeyes is going to simply be too much.
Ohio State 35, Maryland 24.
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redsox907
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Mason Heintschel Has A Heisman Worthy Performance In Ohio State Victory
Marcus Washington // Terpsville • Published: October 21st, 2028
Let me preface this article by saying this: the final score of this game doesn't do justice to the valiant effort the Terrapins put on display at SECU Stadium. At the end of the day, the Ohio State Buckeyes showed why they're a premier program in college football. They did everything the Maryland Terrapins wanted to do, just a little bit better. The routes were crisper, the blocking sturdier, the pass coverage just a second quicker.
All that's to say, for the first half the Terrapins gave the Buckeyes everything they could handle, with Malik Washington putting together a brilliant drive with just 38 seconds left to plunge across the goal line as the clock struck zero to send the teams to the locker room tied at 14.
But the momentum died there. The Buckeyes, aided by a 42-yard kickoff return, scored on their opening possession of the second half, and then again on their next possession to take the 14 all game into a 28-14 deficit for Maryland by the 4th quarter.
Even so, after a field goal and a 9-yard touchdown throw by Malik Washington, the Terps were still within striking distance trailing 35-24 just under the two minute warning, admittedly needing more than a little help even if they got the touchdown.
Instead, an otherwise brilliant performance by Washington obtained its lone blemish, an interception on a deep post as the senior desperately tried to make a big play that was taken back 66 yards by safety Noah King for the final score of the game.
Coach Leon didn't mince words about the effort his defense needs to show going forward, while also praising the efforts of Malik Washington.
•••
Question One - Ryan Parker (Big Ten Network): "Coach, you were brought here as a defensive specialist after an impressive pair of seasons at Oregon State. What has to change in the second half of the season for this unit to live up to your standards after surrendering 42 points to the Buckeyes today?"
Armando Leon: "Let's put that in perspective first, Ryan. 35 points fall on the defense, but only 376 yards gained. This is the first game all year we've surrendered more than 24 points and we're ranked in the top 20 for both points and yards allowed as a team. That being said, the effort we put forth in the second half simply isn't going to cut it. I'm not sure what I said during the halftime left the defense thinking we were content tying the Buckeyes through 30 minutes, 'cause they played like a unit that was content to contend, not just win. That's not how we operate here. I'll have to review the tape, but plan on some changes being made to personnel come next week."
Question Two - Michael Clement (The Lantern): "Malik Washington finally committed his first turnover of the season in the closing minutes of the game. There has been a lot of talk about the lack of turnovers from Malik, some good and some bad. Is it something you think he was consciously thinking about on the field, or just a byproduct of how he plays? And now that it is out of the way, do you think he'll play more aggressively down the stretch?"
Armando Leon: "Let me just go on the record: I've never seen so much coverage about a quarterback not turning the ball over as a bad thing. The only thing more important to a quarterback than throwing touchdowns is not turning the ball over. And actually, it may be the most important thing, 'cause you can't score without the ball. So to sit here and have to defend my quarterback every week because he's doing exactly what every QB in the nation should do is baffling. To answer your question, no. I do not think it was something in the back of his mind on every pass and it's not going to change how we operate going forward."
Question Three - Aisha Thompson (Terp Magazine): "At the beginning of the season the opening half of your schedule was considered a gauntlet with Michigan, Washington, UCLA, and Ohio State on tap. You guys survived that going 5-2. But the second half that was supposed to be easier is suddenly just as daunting with a ranked Northwestern team at 5-1, Minnesota at 5-1, and Indiana at 4-2. Does that change how you guys view the success of the first half, or temper your expectations going into the back end of the schedule?"
Armando Leon: "Strength of schedule is always subjective, Aisha, and frankly we don't care. We play whoever is next on the docket and prepare to win, period. To put the absurdity of comparing records and schedules into perspective: UCLA handily beat Washington. Washington barely beat us. Then we dogwalked UCLA. Every game, every matchup, every opponent is different. We take who's next and let the rest sort itself out."
•••
Coach Leon is right and wrong in his defense of the defense. On one hand, yes they are ranked in the upper half of the nation statistically. But, the calling card of his defense is sacks, of which they only tallied one in the later stages. And until they start generating those sacks, I refuse to believe Leon is happy with the results.
I'm excited to see what changes they make personnel-wise and schematically, because the Ohio State Buckeyes exposed the secondary tonight. They didn't run the ball particularly well, outside of designed runs by Heintschel, but they were surgical through the air. If we don't want that trend to continue, Leon needs to find answers quickly.
We fought valiantly against one of the premier programs in college football. But that can't be the ceiling for this team. Or we risk staying mid-tier forever.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
| Ohio State | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
| Maryland | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
| Q | Team | Time | Play | Ohio State | Maryland |
| 1st | Ohio State | 1:40 | Deon Boutte, 53 Yd Pass From Mason Heintschel | 7 | 0 |
| 2nd | Maryland | 6:07 | Iverson Howard, 15 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | Ohio State | 0:38 | Jordyn Bridgewater, 13 Yd Pass From Mason Heinstchel | 14 | 7 |
| 2nd | Maryland | 0:00 | Malik Washington, 1 Yd Run | 14 | 14 |
| 3rd | Ohio State | 8:42 | Bodpegn Miller, 21 Yd Pass From Mason Heintschel | 21 | 14 |
| 3rd | Ohio State | 2:23 | Nate Roberts, 6 Yd Pass From Mason Heintchel | 28 | 14 |
| 4th | Maryland | 8:55 | Donald Byler, 47 YD FG | 28 | 17 |
| 4th | Ohio State | 5:23 | Lonnie Shakir, 3 Yd Run | 35 | 17 |
| 4th | Maryland | 2:31 | Rico Rugamba, 9 Yd Pass From Malik Washington | 35 | 24 |
| 4th | Ohio State | 1:23 | Noah King, Returned Interception 66 Yds | 42 | 24 |
Ohio State Maryland Passing | Stats Passing | Stats ----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Mason Heintschel | 19/23, 296 Yds, 4 TD Malik Washington | 27/39, 271 Yds, 2 TD, INT Rushing | Stats Rushing | Stats ----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ Deon Boutte | 13 Att, 33 Yds Malik Washington | 13 Att, 68 Yds, TD Mason Heintschel | 6 Att, 38 Yds Iverson Howard | 10 Att, 45 Yds Receiving | Stats Receiving | Stats ----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ JP Temple | 5 Rec, 83 Yds Emanuel Ross | 8 Rec, 61 Yds Bodpegn Miller | 5 Rec, 89 Yds, TD Bryce Randolph | 5 Rec, 68 Yds Nate Roberts | 4 Rec, 42 Yds, TD JT Taggart | 4 Rec, 58 Yds Defensive | Stats Defensive | Stats ----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------ LB Cory Boyette | 12 Tkl, TFL FS Byron Baldwin Jr | 8 Tkl FS Noah King | 12 Tkl, INT, TD MLB Keyshawn Flower | 6 Tkl LB Anfernee Salter | 12 Tkl, 2 TFL DE Garrison Dobbs | 4 Tkl, 4 TFL, Sack
Big Ten Week Eight Results
42 #17 Northwestern (6-1) @ Purdue (3-5)
34 #6 Oregon (7-0) @ Minnesota (5-2) 7
38 #9 Penn State (6-1) @ Rutgers (2-6) 17
42 Indiana (4-3) @ #25 UCLA (4-3) 49
34 #15 Michigan (5-2) @ Washington (5-3) 17
37 Iowa (4-3) @ Michigan State (4-4) 10
31 #22 Nebraska (5-3) @ #10 USC (6-1) 34
Notable Week Eight Results
35 #16 Pittsburgh (6-2) @ #3 Clemson (7-0) 39
44 #4 LSU (7-1) @ #20 Ole Miss (5-2) 36
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DON'T YOU RUN!
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redsox907
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redsox907
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Terrapins' Recruiting Class Slowly Coming Together
Marcus Washington // Terpsville • Published: October 22nd, 2028
The Terrapins are slowly but surely, building their 2028 recruiting class. One could say they're getting commitments at a tortoise's pace...
That felt strange, no more puns. On a serious note, the Terrapins' 2028 recruiting class started ambitious to say the least, but despite that have managed to lock in a pair of four-star linebackers. But before we get to the success, the losses must be noted.
Chad Clement was the 73rd overall prospect and #1 on the Terrapins' board, but despite a strong effort by Coach Leon and the coaching staff, the Germantown native opted to head south and join the Clemson Tigers for the 2029 season. Clement is one of five total prospects that started on the Terrapins' initial big-board that have signed elsewhere.
In more positive news, both Percy Harper and Courtland Lyle—the aforementioned four-star linebackers—announced they'd be joining the Terrapins' defense under Coach Leon next season.
Harper is a natural linebacker, possessing a perfect blend of size and power that allows him to fill a variety of roles from the middle linebacker position. If that sounds familiar, it's because Harper fits the same profile as Manu Hasty, the Oregon State middle backer who won multiple awards under Leon last season.
"He's the perfect fit in the middle of our defense," noted Leon about the commitment, "Him and Gordon Paul are going to make a fearsome duo inside the defense."
Courtland Lyle and Antwan Keur are both athletic edge rushers, with Keur being a three-star prospect, that project as versatile players with the mix of speed and strength necessary in Leon's scheme.
"They've both got excellent bend and feel for rushing the passer, with Keur being a bit more raw. He tends to pigeonhole himself, but the motor is there. Lyle is more of the Swiss Army knife type, guy that can be versatile enough to drop coverage, rush the passer, and fill run-gaps."
As Coach Leon continues to struggle getting the same impact results defensively, despite some positive showings, getting more players that are direct fits for his scheme will only help the Terps' defense next year.
With the college football season moving into the second-half of the schedule, the Terrapins have several other prospects closing in on finalizing their announcements. With only three commits for the 2028 class, the onus is on Coach Leon and his coaching staff to finish out the pre-December recruiting strong or risk relying heavily on the transfer portal again next season with 25 scholarship graduates after this season.
•••
Maryland Terrapins 2028 Big Board
| Ranking | Position | Name | Ht | Wt | Hometown | Tendency | NAT/STA/POS | Stage | Maryland Rank | |
 | G | Chad Clement | 6'2 | 278 | Germantown, MD | Well Rounded | 78/2/3 | Committed | Clemson | |
| MLB | Percy Harper | 6'1 | 221 | Hyattsville, MD | Signal Caller | 172/6/13 | Committed | Maryland | |
| QB | Garrett Duck | 6'3 | 215 | Chantilly, VA | Backfield Creator | 223/4/20 | Committed | Alabama | |
| ATH | Courtland Lyle | 6'1 | 232 | Virginia Beach, VA | Thumper | 404/7/28 | Committed | Maryland | |
 | ATH | Gage Gesicki | 6'0 | 224 | Baltimore, MD | Thumper | 507/10/36 | Top 5 | 1st | |
| LB | Antwan Keur | 6'1 | 204 | Highland Spring, VA | Lurker | 534/11/45 | Committed | Maryland | |
| WR | Marcus Bridges | 5'11 | 166 | OWings Mills, MD | Speedster | 546/12/73 | Battle vs Navy | 1st | |
| CB | Donavaughan LeCounte | 5'10 | 178 | Quincy, FL | Field | 569/77/49 | Top 3 | 1st | |
| FS | Paul Rubin | 5'10 | 199 | Baltimore, MD | Hybrid | 627/13/25 | Top 3 | 1st | |
| CB | Johnnie Sowells | 6'2 | 162 | Baltimore, MD | Bump and Run | 682/14/58 | Committed | North Carolina | |
| ATH | Ben Rios | 6'1 | 224 | Richmond, VA | Pure Possession | 683/13/33 | Committed | West Virginia | |
| T | Nick Schmidt | 6'7 | 292 | Midlothian, VA | Raw Strength | 687/14/47 | Top 5 | 1st | |
| SS | Nate Greer | 5'10 | 209 | Red Bank, NJ | Box Specialist | 737/18/12 | Battle vs BC | 2nd | |
| DT | Bradley Strange | 6'2 | 307 | Brooklyn, NY | Power Rusher | 758/12/40 | Top 5 | 1st | |
| T | Alexander Dreisbach | 6'5 | 300 | Potomac, MD | Agile | 940/22/63 | Committed | North Carolina |
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redsox907
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2028 Week Nine Preview: #17 Northwestern (6-1) @ Maryland (5-2)
Marcus Washington // Terpsville • Published: October 27th, 2028
When the schedule was released at the beginning of the season, a matchup with Northwestern seemed like a perfect "get back in the saddle" game for the Terrapins after a clash with the juggernaut that is Ohio State. Fast forward to now and the Wildcats are 6-1 and ranked 17th nationally with their only loss to the 10th-ranked Trojans. While there are debates about their strength of schedule, with USC and Michigan being the only teams they've played with a winning record, they certainly present more of a challenge now, than one would have thought before the 2028 season kicked off.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they lost starting quarterback Jose Dodge in their win over Purdue, thrusting Jacob Bell into the starting lineup. The benefit is with Dodge getting hurt in multiple games this season, Bell has already been in a number of games this season and is more experienced than a typical backup.
You know the drill—after the stat comparison we'll get to the next "Inside the Shell" with Coach Leon as he explains the importance of focusing on the next game and changes to the defense going forward.
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Maryland Terrapins (5-2) | Description | #17 Northwestern Wildcats (6-1) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 81 Overall // 81 Offense // 81 Defense | Team Rating | 75 Overall // 76 Offense // 74 Defense Armando Leon (5-2) | Head Coach | Jason Candle (12-8) Spread | Offensive Scheme | Spread 3-3-5 | Defensive Scheme | 4-2-5 36.3 (21st) | Offensive Points Per Game | 36.1 (22nd) 22.6 (31st) | Defensive Points Per Game | 26.1 (65th) 421.0 (40th) | Offensive Yards Per Game | 379.9 (84th) 330.6 (15th) | Defensive Yards Per Game | 400.6 (93rd)
Maryland Terrapins | Description | Northwestern Wildcats --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 50-34 | Combined Record | 45-35 Towson (FCS) W 63-17 | Week One | @ Eastern Michigan (2-5) W 28-24 Virginia Tech (4-4) W 37-14 | Week Two | UCF (2-5) W 35-17 @ Michigan (5-2) W 28-20 | Week Three | FCS W 56-17 BYE | Week Four | BYE Washington (5-3) L 24-20 | Week Five | Indiana (4-3) W 41-27 Rutgers (2-6) W 30-20 | Week Six | @ Michigan (5-2) W 48-21 @ UCLA (4-3) W 52-21 | Week Seven | USC (6-1) L 41-3 Ohio State (6-2) L 42-24 | Week Eight | @ Purdue (3-5) W 42-36
Maryland Terrapins Northwestern Wildcats --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HB Zymear Smith (89) Broken Fibula (23 Weeks) | Injuries | C Talan Chandler (77) Fractured Shoulder Blade (15 Weeks) LG Clarence Montrosse (77) Abdominal Tear (2 Weeks) | Injuries | T Michael O'Connell (80) Foot Fracture (2 Weeks) N/A | Injuries | QB Jose Dodge (80) Dislocated Ankle (2 Weeks)
Maryland Terrapins Northwestern Wildcats --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SR Malik Washington (87) 151/226(66%), 1,626 Yds, 17 TD, 1 INT | QB | JR(RS) Jacob Bell (81) 38/75 (50%), 524 Yds, 5 TD, 3 INT SR Malik Washington (87) 71 Att, 431 Yds, 2 TD | QB | JR(RS) Jacob Bell (81) 32 Att, 26 Yds JR(RS) Iverson Howard (81) 89 Att, 475 Yds, 4 TD | HB | JR(RS) Dashun Reeder (83) 69 Att, 259 Yds, 7 TD SR(RS) Emanuel Ross (87) 36 Rec, 479 Yds, 5 TD | WR | SR Braden Blueitt (79) 43 Rec, 650 Yds, 3 TD SR(RS) Za'Ron Collins (82) 25 Rec, 234 Yds, 3 TD | WR | JR(RS) Isaiah Robinson (87) 41 Rec, 636 Yds, 7 TD SR(RS) MLB Keyshawn Flowers 47 Tkl, 11 TFL, 1.5 Sack | DEF | SR(RS) CB Isaiah Crozier (78) 39 Tkl JR(RS) LB Jordon Robinson (78) 24 Tkl, 8 TFL, 0.5 Sack | DEF | JR(RS) DE Callen Campbell (81) 19 Tkl, 6 TFL, 1.5 Sacks JR DE Garrison Dobbs (87) 14 Tkl, 11 TFL, 3.5 Sacks | DEF | SR(RS) DT Brandon Davis-Swain (80) 15 Tkl, 6 TFL, 4 Sacks SR(RS) CB Braydon Lee 36 Tkl, 2 TFL, 2 INT | DEF | JR(RS) CB Timi Oke (81) 23 Tkl, 3 INT
Big Ten Week Nine Schedule
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Inside the Shell
MW: "Rough loss last week to Ohio State, a game you guys contended in more than the final score shows in my opinion. But, there is no rest for the wicked in the Big Ten with a surprising ranked contest against the 17th-ranked Wildcats on deck. Would you have liked to ease into an easier matchup following a slugfest with the Buckeyes?"
AL: "I appreciate the sentiment, Marcus, but facts are facts. We didn't step up at the end and we lost. But as far as hoping for an easier matchup after a loss? You'll never see me or my staff thinking that way. Next game is the next game, whether it's Alabama or South Alabama. If we start preparing based on the talent of the opposition, and not the talent in the locker room, we're asking to get humbled."
MW: "The sack numbers continue to struggle and while we can acknowledge the stats, the fact is your defenses are predicated on generating pressure. What changes should we expect to see in the second half of the season to see this unit start generating more pressure?"
AL: "First thing we're doing is getting Gordon Paul on the field more. He's only a freshman, but he's already got the athleticism and instincts to play at this level. When he's on the field, he has made an impact. 5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks proves that. So we're going to start moving him around at a variety of linebacker spots to utilize his speed and instincts. But if someone gets more time, that means someone is getting less. Garrison is getting more time on the inside, freeing up the end. Expect to see Jordon Robinson with his hand in the dirt a lot. He's got the speed and block shed skills to get in the backfield with consistency, but to be frank he was getting caught in between too many times on RPOs and play-action. We need to act quickly and decisively as a defense, or everything falls apart. I'm not going to guarantee more sacks, but I do expect better execution."
MW: "Last one, Coach. Oregon State finally cracked the rankings at 24th after you had them in the mid-teens at the end of last year. Is it bittersweet to see your former club being successful without you and does it ever make you second guess the decision to leave after only two years?"
AL: "Absolutely not, Marcus. Oregon State is special and I'm glad Manu and the rest of my defensive squad are having success without me. I hope, for my former player's sake, that they keep it up. But we move forward, not backward. Staying at Oregon State would have proved nothing except that I can bully the Pac-12. I was ready for a bigger challenge and I found that at Maryland. No regrets here."
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Dare I say, this may be a perfect example of being careful what you're wishing for. Not to say Coach Leon made the wrong decision; we love him here in College Park. But with his own defense's struggles, you have to wonder if Coach Leon doesn't at least think about how dominant the Oregon State team would be this year with him patrolling the sidelines. Despite their 5-2 record, the Oregon State defense is a mirage of its previous glory, relying on a suddenly rejuvenated offense to dominate the Pac thus far this season.
Back to the matter at hand, however. Coach Leon appeared excited for what the changes could mean for his defense. Paul has flashed at times this season when given the opportunity and he was dead on; Robinson has been a beat too slow more often than not when put in the microscope. With his hand in the dirt, he'll be expected to do one thing—get the quarterback.
A backup quarterback for Northwestern bodes well for the Terps, who desperately need a win to keep from getting lost in the shuffle of the Big Ten. And I think they get it.
33 Maryland, Northwestern 14.
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Sonny
- Posts: 404
- Joined: 01 Feb 2026, 18:48
No Father's Son
A taste of reality coach, no more easy wins and you can’t blame the offense anymore like last season. Time to get to work or get packin.
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redsox907
Topic author - Posts: 5591
- Joined: 01 Jun 2025, 12:40
