The Maryland Terrapins, behind quarterback C. J. Brown’s four touchdowns, trounced the James Madison Dukes 52-7 in their 2014 home and Big Ten opener at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.
Brown, a six-year senior, went 11-24 for 111 yards and one passing touchdown, wasted little time in giving his team the lead. On the Terps (1-0) first possession with 11:43 to play in the first quarter, he drove the team 58 yards on six plays which resulted in his first touchdown, an 11-yard dash.The drive took only 1:47 seconds. Message sent. The Duke defense was in for a long day.
The second Maryland scoring drive mirrored the first. Five plays, 46-yards, time of possession 1:42. Brown (61 yards on seven carries) scored on an eight-yard run.The first quarter ended with the Terrapins ahead 17-0 as kicker Brad Craddock added a 49-yard field goal. The rout was on.
The Dukes, with Georgia Tech transfer Vad Lee playing quarterback were no match for the Terrapins defense. Lee ended the game going 16-37 for 141 yards and two interceptions. He also had 50 rushing yards but was harassed all day by a Terrapin defense that constantly flushed his out of the pocket and forced him to make tough throws. They punted on their first seven drives and their best scoring chance in the first half resulted in an interception in the end zone right before the half.
Meanwhile, Brown’s third first half rushing touchdown was his best. On fourth down, at the Dukes two-yard line, Brown took the snap, side stepped a tackler in the backfield and running to his left smashed into his own lineman before making it into the end zone. The Terrapins were cruising and took a 24-0 lead into the half.
The second half began just as well as the first half for Maryland. All-everything wideout Stefon Diggs (5 catches 53 yards) returned the kickoff 59 yards and the Terps were on their way to another touchdown. Diggs, finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards. Two Brown runs and a Diggs catch gave Maryland a first and goal. Running back Brandon Ross (86 yards, one touchdown) did the rest scampering eight yards into the end zone giving his team a 31-0 lead.
Brown, who struggled at times in the passing game, saved his best for last as he connected with wideout Deon Long on a one play 41-yard scoring strike giving Maryland a 38-0 lead. He was later replaced by backup Caleb Rowe who went seven for 11 with one touchdown and one interception. He finished with 75 yards passing.
His two-yard TD pass to Kenneth Goins Jr. gave the Terps a 45-0 lead with .10 seconds to play in the third quarter. His interception gave the Dukes a short field and led to their only touchdown, a one-yard John Miller run with 10:46 to play in the fourth quarter making the score 45-7.
The Terrapins answered, as Rowe took them on an 82-yard 14 play drive that resulted in a 12-yard Albert Reid touchdown run with 4:01 to play in the game. Maryland was now up 52-7. The defense led by L. A. Goree’s 14 tackles, did their part causing three turnovers and nearly pitched a shutout, while the offense racked up 285 yards rushing with Wes Brown adding 84 yards on 13 carries.The Maryland offense had 30 first downs and went 6-6 in the red zone.
The Dukes (0-1) were led in rushing by Khalid Abdullah who gained 67 yards on 20 carries.
As the final gun sounded it was the only thing that stopped the Terps offense and coach Randy Edsall was able to celebrate his fourth straight opening day win.
