Grading Maryland football’s position groups in its win over USC

The Terps picked up their first conference win of the year and moved to 4-3.

What a difference eight days can make.

Maryland football hit arguably its lowest point under head coach Michael Locksley when Northwestern demolished the Terps at home, 37-10. Just one week later, Locksley helped deliver what may be the signature win of his tenure to this point over USC, 29-28.

Here’s how each Terps’ position group graded out in the win.

Quarterback

Billy Edwards Jr. did exactly what was asked of him Saturday afternoon. Behind a shaky offensive line, Maryland opted to use screen passes as a way move downfield similar to running the ball. That led to a season-low 5.5-yard ADOT (average depth of target) for Edwards, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

But he also racked up plenty of volume, throwing for a season-high 373 yards and two touchdowns on 50 attempts, as well as a rushing touchdown to take the lead inside the final minute.

Edwards failed to catch a snap late in the first half, leading to a fumble, and threw a bad third-quarter interception in the end zone. That hurts his grade — but given the game-winning touchdown and his other numbers, not too much.

Grade: B+

Running back

In his second game of the season as offensive play caller, Locksley largely moved away from the ground game. Roman Hemby and Nolan Ray combined for just 10 carries. But they each made the most of their touches.

Ray ripped off a 33-yard run to move the Terps into the red zone, and finished with 64 total yards on six carries and a catch. Hemby had just four carries for 12 yards — although he did find the end zone in a key spot — and was a real threat in the passing game, with 54 yards on six receptions.

Colby McDonald left the game early with an injury.

Grade: B+

Wide receiver

This was the most cohesive performance yet from the wide receiver room.

Three players — Kaden Prather, Tai Felton and Octavian Smith Jr. — all had at least eight receptions. Prather totaled 111 yards while Felton and Smith both found the end zone. Smith’s eight catches and 84 yards receiving were both career highs.

Edwards now has a third legitimate option.

In previous weeks, Maryland’s passing offense has revolved around Felton and Prather. A true No. 3 receiver option hadn’t emerged until this week. Shaleak Knotts was on the field for just five snaps and did not have a pass thrown his way.

Grade: A-

Tight end

Preston Howard got the start, but Dylan Wade got the substantial majority of snaps with 62 compared to Howard’s 14.

Wade was productive with his increased playing time, hauling in four catches for 26 yards. But he dropped two of the seven passes thrown his way. Howard totaled two catches for six yards.

The tight ends were not asked to do much in the run game, as Maryland played in a variety of spread formations. Overall, no major gripes, but the drops hurt.

Grade: C+

Offensive line

Maryland’s offensive line did not have its best day. Its struggles were headlined by multiple costly penalties on Aliou Bah, including a false start inside the red zone that stalled a drive and a holding on first down inside USC territory.

USC came into the game with one of the Big Ten’s least productive defensive lines, but that unit racked up two sacks and six tackles for loss against the Terps. Outside of Ray’s 33-yard scamper, running backs did not have many holes to run through.

It’s unclear who truly was at fault, but it’s worth mentioning Edwards did not look ready for Josh Kaltenberger’s snap on a play that ended in a fumble recovery for the Trojans.

Grade: C-

Defensive line

Defensive coordinator Brian Williams did an excellent job mixing up blitz packages and getting pass rushers into the backfield. While it only resulted in one sack, USC quarterback Miller Moss was uncomfortable in the pocket all afternoon.

Quashon Fuller got home for that sack. He recorded four pressures, tied for the team-high with Donnell Brown. Brown is listed as a linebacker but plays primarily at edge rusher, and he was a force for the Terps Saturday.

Maryland’s run defense was similarly stout. It held the Trojans’ dynamic backfield to just 81 rushing yards — their lowest since their season opener against LSU — on 24 attempts.

Grade: B

Linebacker

Multiple Terps linebackers had errors in coverage throughout the game. But when it was on the line, Caleb Wheatland came up clutch with a game-winning pass breakup on fourth down to kill USC’s final drive.

Him and Ruben Hyppolite co-led the team with seven tackles, each having five solo.

Sophomore Daniel Wingate flashed with an impressive play blowing up a screen to Woody Marks in the second quarter, marking his first tackle for loss of the season.

Michael Harris played 15 snaps and did not record a tackle.

Grade: B-

Secondary

This was a much-needed strong performance by Maryland’s secondary.

For the first time all season, the Terps didn’t feel helpless against the deep ball. Glen Miller, Kevis Thomas and Perry Fisher all made impressive plays to break up passes well down the field.

Those shot plays have been an Achilles heel for Maryland all season. Preventing them makes it much, much easier to win games.

Safety Lavain Scruggs also recorded a momentum-swinging interception and long return. Moss finished the afternoon 34 for 50 through the air for 336 yards and three touchdowns, but he didn’t feel in control of the game for most of it.

Grade: B+

Special teams

Maryland’s special teams made multiple crucial plays on Saturday. None were more paramount than Brown sneaking through linemen to block a field goal and give the Terps a chance to take a late lead.

Punter Bryce McFerson continued his stellar 2024 with a 53-yard average on three tries, including a 58-yard bomb that completely flipped the field early in the game. Tai Felton was given punt return duties and took his only try 18 yards.

Jack Howes missed a field goal, but overall, special teams was a huge contributor in the win.

Grade: A-

Coaching

Locksley showed a ton of improvement in his second game as offensive play caller. He was aggressive in going for it on fourth down, and going for a two-point conversion to make the score 28-22 late proved to be an incredible decision.

Williams’ aggressiveness blitzing against a team with a plethora of high-level wide receivers was a gutsy call, but one that largely paid off.

The Terps were down 14 entering the fourth quarter, never quit and rallied to secure the win. That’s a testament to a strong coaching performance both in-game and in the week leading up.

Grade: A