Maryland coach Mike Locksley is not shopping for into the hype.
Regardless of his workforce getting off to a 4-0 begin, he is not able to make any grand proclamations in regards to the Terrapins coming into a Saturday Huge Ten Convention matchup with Washington in School Park, Md.
“I do not really feel the swell of pleasure as a result of I attempt to insulate myself,” Locksley mentioned on IMS Radio. “I got here up within the Nick Saban faculty of thought: Do not take the cheese, do not eat the rat poison of it, as a result of there weren’t very many individuals in December and January (backing us) when everyone was leaving this place and going different locations and there wasn’t loads of path.
“We figured it out. We have put collectively roster. Now the aim is to proceed to discover a option to develop it and construct on it in order that we will get this factor again on monitor.”
The Terrapins, who’ve but to path this season, opened convention play on Sept. 20 with a 27-10 victory at Wisconsin, then had a bye final week.
Maryland’s protection has been stellar. The Terrapins are permitting simply 10.8 factors per recreation and entered final week’s bye with probably the most sacks (16) and interceptions (eight) within the nation.
“It isn’t one thing we will grasp our hat on,” defensive lineman Dillan Fontus mentioned. “It is nonetheless the primary 4 video games. We’re not fearful about stats and stuff like that. It is only a testomony to all of the work we put in … It is extra of an expectation than a shock or one thing to hold your hat on.”
The Huskies (3-1, 0-1 Huge Ten) had been cruising earlier than a 24-6 loss at dwelling final week towards No. 1 Ohio State of their convention opener. They dedicated six penalties — two on coach Jedd Fisch — and Demond Williams Jr. was sacked six occasions.
“Once you play the No. 1 workforce within the nation, they know how one can win,” Fisch mentioned. “They’ve received loads. They win yearly. And for those who’re going to have the ability to end the sport, and be capable of win these video games, these penalties cannot occur. These sacks cannot occur. The errors that had been made cannot occur.”
Williams, a sophomore who’s finishing 75.6 p.c of his passing makes an attempt, was 18 of twenty-two for 226 yards towards the Buckeyes.
Fisch recommended it might need been higher if Williams had accomplished fewer passes — throwing the ball away as a substitute of taking a sack.
“I’ve acquired to assist Demond perceive that an incompletion is OK generally,” Fisch mentioned. “He does not throw many incompletions in any respect. Typically — generally — that results in holding the ball just a little bit longer and sadly, at occasions, it may flip right into a sack.”
–Subject Degree Media
