University of Maryland football defeats Miami in season opener

After eight months of changes to Maryland football’s culture, uniforms and on-field schemes, the new-look Terrapins distinguished themselves in style and substance Monday night, delivering Randy Edsall an important victory in his debut as the school’s head coach.

Playing with the Maryland state flag print on their helmets and on portions of their Under Armour-designed jerseys, the Terrapins unveiled a dynamic, mostly no-huddle offense that amassed 499 total yards in a 32-24 victory over a depleted Miami team. Much of the announced sellout crowd of 52,875 — the seventh-biggest all-time home crowd — braved sporadic rain and remained inside Byrd Stadium until the end of the season-opening ACC victory.

It was a valiant effort by the Hurricanes, who played without eight players who were suspended for accepting extra benefits, including three defensive linemen, star linebacker Sean Spence and standout safety Ray-Ray Armstrong.

Maryland quarterback Danny O’Brien, last season’s ACC rookie of the year, completed 31 of 44 passes for 348 yards and one interception.

“We’ve got some weapons,” Edsall said. “I thought [O’Brien] spread the ball to everyone.”
Running back Davin Meggett had 21 carries for 92 yards.
After Miami place kicker Jake Wieclaw gave the Hurricanes a one-point lead at 24-23 on a 30-yard field goal with 4 minutes 1 second remaining, O’Brien fired a deep pass down the right sideline to Kevin Dorsey, who hauled in a 52-yard reception. That led to a 32-yard go-ahead field goal by Nick Ferrara, his fourth of the game, with 1:39 left.
As soon as the kick sailed through the uprights, the skies opened up with the heaviest rain of the night.
Miami had one final chance, but on fourth and three at the Terrapins 49, quarterback Stephen Morris — who led Miami to a win over Maryland last season, also as a backup — threw a pass toward the sideline that was intercepted by cornerback Cameron Chism and returned 54 yards for a touchdown with 39 seconds remaining.
“It’s the kids that did it all. It’s not about me,” Edsall said. “All I did was to get them to push themselves harder, that there would be higher standards. I know it’s only one game. But I think they understand the program I want in place.”

The Terrapins won despite their struggles inside the Miami 20-yard line. In seven trips inside the red zone, Maryland came away with just 19 points. An interception and a missed 23-yard field goal derailed the Terrapins on two of the red-zone trips.

Maryland used an up-tempo offense through most of the game — Edsall has emphasized playing at a fast pace — and kept the Hurricanes on their heels. O’Brien completed 22 passes for 239 yards in the first half. The offensive style of play was a departure for Edsall, whose Connecticut team last season averaged just 151 yards passing per game.
The Terrapins drove inside the Miami 20-yard line four times in the first half but came away with just 13 points. It took Maryland’s opportunistic defense to make a play for the Terrapins to close the first half with a precarious 20-14 lead. In the final minute of the half, Chism jarred the ball loose from Miami running back Mike James. Defensive tackle Joe Vellano caught the ball in midair and rumbled 30 yards for a go-ahead score that stirred the crowd.