Miami – Maryland Post-Game Notes

The final game of Week 1 was a fitting conclusion, closely contested and exciting but also heavy with season opening kinks being worked out. Maryland and Miami both can take away positives from Monday night. Each had a few glaring negatives that need immediate attention — and those don’t include Maryland’s shocking new uniforms.

Maryland Notes

Danny O’Brien is the best Terrapin quarterback since… suggestions? Quarterback play has never been UM’s strong suit, so finally featuring a true field general could amount to big things for the Terrapins. But Maryland cannot squander future 350-yard, 70 percent completion efforts.

The Terrapin red zone offense was downright terrifying. UM scored on its opening drive, less than four minutes into the game, and never again crossed the goal line. Red zone opportunities yielded 19 points altogether, but could have produced almost more than double that. Justus Pickett may need to develop into a more reliable No. 2 option, capable of 10 hand-offs per game to spread out the rushing duties with Davin Meggett.

The rushing game should mature quickly given the offensive line’s production. UM gave O’Brien plenty of protection — in fact, Miami wasn’t able to bring him down once.

Miami Notes

Moral victories are better served for junior varsity than a Bowl Championship Series conference, so don’t expect much self-congratulation emerging from Coral Gables after its 32-24 loss. Miami had opportunities to win, specifically on its penultimate possession. What has to be vexing is the Hurricanes gave up four turnovers. Giveaways sabotaged the Hurricanes’ 2010 season, and the unsettling trend is carrying over into 2011.

While the fourth was Stephen Morris’s second interception, both figures are somewhat misleading given it was off a final desperation heave. But Morris’s first pick, setting up the game-sealing touchdown, was reminiscent of the problems that plagued both he and Jacory Harris. Morris had been cruising along well enough, completing 68 percent of his pass attempts and demonstrating impressive wheels. His showing for most of the night was more confidence-inspiring for Miami’s offense than most any Harris had last season, but the quarterback battle should remain open.

Miami needs consistency from its passing game, because the rushing is certainly there. Lamar Miller was outstanding and Al Golden’s use of fullback Maurice Hagens in short yardage situations gives Miami an element to its offense all too often lacking in modern collegiate schemes. The short yardage, up-the-middle bruiser is something Maryland could certainly use for those red zone situations.