O‘Brien was benched in loss to Georgia Tech The regression of the Maryland defense under first-year coach Randy Edsall can be easily explained. The unit has been so decimated by injuries that the Terps finished Saturday’s 21-16 loss to Georgia Tech with freshmen at safety, defensive end, and all three linebacker slots.
Accounting for the failures of the Maryland offense, especially the passing game, however, isn’t as easy.
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With ACC rookie of the year Danny O’Brien back at quarterback and protected by a solid offensive line, this was a season for the Terps’ passing game to grow, not shrink. But an impotent aerial attack is the troubling reality facing Edsall and offensive coordinator Gary Crowton as Maryland (2-3) prepares to host No. 8 Clemson (6-0), Saturday night in College Park.
| Up Next | ||||
| No. 8 Clemson at Maryland | ||||
| When » | Saturday, 7 p.m. | |||
| Where » | Byrd Stadium, | College Park | ||
| TV » | ESPNU | |||
| Radio » | 980 AM | |||
In Saturday’s loss at Georgia Tech, Maryland’s inability to convert in the passing game was particularly crippling. O’Brien completed just one of six passes for 17 yards and was pulled in the second quarter after throwing an interception. Sophomore C.J. Brown provided a spark with his legs, carrying nine times for 124 yards, but little with his arm, completing just four of 17 passes for 36 yards with an interception. Together their pass efficiency rating was 38.8.
With Edsall saying on Tuesday he has yet to decide which quarterback will start against Clemson, the better question might be: Does it really matter?
“We’ve got to get better in the passing game,” Edsall said. “When you talk about improvement, whether that’s the run game or passing game, that’s offensive line, that’s running back, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback, coaches too. We all have to get better, do our part to get more productive in that area.”
Maryland’s production is in free fall. In each successive game, the Terps have produced fewer passing yards starting with Miami (348), then West Virginia (289), Temple (195), Towson (137) and Georgia Tech (87).
The precipitous drop is perhaps an indication that O’Brien has lost confidence. It is well documented how hard he took his three-interception performance against West Virginia. The drop also is indication that opposing defenses have figured out the Terps’ scheme and that the Maryland brain trust has yet to adjust.
Edsall has been steadfast in his support of O’Brien. But Saturday’s quick yank shows a lack of trust.
“Danny’s strength is probably throwing the football,” Edsall said. “Danny can move, but C.J. is faster, probably a little more athletic, but he’s still a good passer. They both have the skill sets that allow you to be successful.”
While Edsall and his staff consider O’Brien or Brown, they also must figure out how to protect both, get receivers open in space, and give the quarterbacks a chance to be successful. Neither O’Brien or Brown was available to the press on Tuesday.
“You play the guy that you think gives you the best opportunity to win,” Edsall said. “It’s not about the name on the back of the jersey which we don’t have. It’s about the name on the front of the jersey. It’s about Maryland.”
