Can the Maryland Terrapins Reach 8 Wins in First Big Ten Season if Healthy?
Special Teams
Everybody who contributed to special teams last year, from kicking to punting to returning, is back this year, and that’s a huge deal. Special teams contributed to two wins for the Terps last year, and the kicking game should be even better.
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Inside the Loud House
At place kicker, Brad Craddock is very reliable, having made 21 of 25 field goals last year. The misses at N.C. State in 2012 may still be fresh in the minds of fans, but the native Australian who has had to spend the last two years simply learning how to kick field goals finally found consistency. He did miss one extra point, but he only missed one field goal shorter than 40 yards, was 4 for 5 on kicks 40 to 49 yards, and he made a field goal beyond 50 yards last year. He’s now very reliable, and as his accuracy continues to develop, he could be nearly perfect this year. That’s a great weapon to have.
Punter Nathan Renfro is back for his junior year and at one point was a candidate for the Ray Guy Award last year. He averaged 40.8 yards per punt last year and put 18 out of 75 inside the 20. Those aren’t great numbers, but he’s competent and can definitely change the field. As a junior, he could be very valuable.