Terp running back Da’Rel Scott averaged 7.3 yards per rush in his first three games of the season, but Saturday, he found little running room against Clemson.
His 39 yards on 23 carries amounted to an average of just 1.7 yards per rush in the Terps’ 20-17 win.
The Tiger defense is fast and pursued Scott hard, but coach Ralph Friedgen indicated Tuesday that the Terp offensive line also factored into the pounding taken by an already banged up Scott.
“We didn’t play very well this week,” Friedgen said. “We’re still having too many missed assignments. We’re playing high, just not very exact on things. I’m concerned about it right now.”
With five senior starters along the offensive front, Friedgen came into the season thinking it would be a strength. But after nearly every game this season, Friedgen said he thought they could play better. Although they didn’t allow any sacks for the first time this season against Clemson, Friedgen said the line needs to improve if the Terps are going to be successful.
“I really felt that we would play very well there,” Friedgen said. “And I don’t think we have.”
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October 1st, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I think the O-line has been doing a wonderful job so far. It is just the fact that Maryland isn’t executing. Scott should be running 200 a game while Turner should be throwing for 300 but we are Maryland. Curse of the QB like the ’skins and Ravens.
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 am
Thinking our offense should be getting 500 yards a game is a bit of a rash claim but I do agree that the O-line has been playing decent. I think what Ralph is alluding to is the greatness that he, and many others, thought would be seen in the trenches this year. It is very rare that you can start 5 seniors on the line all of which have received ample amounts of playing time previously. Maybe, hopefully, as we get into the ACC schedule a bit deeper we will see something special.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I played on the offensive line in high school and know very well that credit is always given to the running back and the offensive line is seldom recognized, unless the averages are low. When you face a defense like clemson, its not always about the average yard per carry. Feeding Clemson on our runs up the middle all first half made them bite on our reverse by Hey-BayBay in the second half. THAT carry was the longest run of the game, and one of the longest runs racked against up against Clemson ever. Give the big boys a break, our QB has hardly felt Chris Long pressure all year.