“Let it all work out.”- Lil Wayne

“FIre Fickel!! Fire Fickel!! Fire Fickell!” This was the chant from the student section as Wisconsin left the field just now at the half. Losing 20-0 at home to Maryland is tough, but to boo and chant that to a 2-1 team is asinine. Immature and asinine.

I get that the Badgers aren’t in the best spot, but this isn’t justified. The Badger student section used to be a bit better. Have some perspective to the situation. Being a fan sometimes means, loving your team especially when they are making it hard to love them. If one cannot love and cheer for their team when they are performing below the standards, then such a person is not a fan. They are pretending to be a fan. I’m a Badger lover this season. Perhaps more than anyone in Madison today.

Now, this post is not about the Badgers, but about their opponent.

So, with a slapping hot cup of joe with a splash of dairy to my left, a book full of notes on my right, oblong football on the TV set, and a snoring aged canine in front of the dormant fireplace on an overcast, mild temped day in this mountainous desert, let’s unpack this Maryland team.

MARYLAND Terrapins

When I studied Maryland’s team back in June, I took note of the highly talented young team that was coached by the experienced Mike Locksley and concluded that this season wasn’t their year. But I further noted that the future looked bright.

The seven 4-Star recruits that arrived in the off-season only added depth to the already talented team. Of course, relying on freshman to contribute consistently is always a gamble, but when they are as game ready as some of the Terp youngsters are–it just makes logical sense.

I wrote earlier this week about Messiah Delhomme, and wouldn’t you know, he already has a blocked punt in this game. Only up Messiah. But the defensive back is not the only freshman that is making an immediate impact for this potentially 4-0 Maryland team. Potentially due to the fact that it is only halftime. (Up 20-0)

Just on the defense there more than a handful of freshmen making plays in this game.

TOP Defensive Freshman:

• DB Messiah Delhomme 4 Total Tackles, 1 Blocked Punt
• LB/ DE Sidney Stewart 8 Total Tackles, 1 Sack
  • Leads the Big10 in Tackles for Loss so far this season
• LB Zahir Mathis 13 Total Tackles

OTHER Freshmen on Defense:

• DB Braydon Lee
• LB CJ Smith
• DL Nahsir Taylor
• DB Jayden Shipps

The future may be bright as a I expected in the preseason but so might be the present. I did not expect these freshmen to be as explosive and as calm as they have looked in the past 4 weeks. This team is ready to win now. Defensive Coordinator Ted Monachino has plenty of weapons to unleash on opposing defenses. “Whether they are 18 or 21, I call the same plays.” Thats what he said in the media days over the summer about having so much young talent.

On offense, Freshman Quarterback Malik Washington remains calm in the pocket and has all of the tools any team would like to see in a modern-day QB. Quick release, poise in the pocket, the ability to improvise, and a cannon on the deep ball. He has all of these tools and has exemplified all of these tools in this game alone.

To go along with this young talent, Maryland has experience on both sides of the ball.

Veteran Leaders with stats from this game:

• JR DL Dillon Fontus 6’5/ 293 6 Total Tackles, 1 Sack
• JR MLB Daniel Wingate 6’4/ 231 18 Total Tackles, 1 Sack
• SR WR Octavian Smith, Jr 6’1/ 176 6 Catches 113 yards

This is just to name the few players that are executing every play. Running backs are helping on the pass play protection, receivers are holding blocks on the edge, and the trenches are fighting every play. This is an all-around good football team. Now. In the present. The future may also be bright, but this team is here now.

When asked about what it’s like to coach a number of talented but inexperienced players Coach Locksley said, “when we’ve emphasized it, they’ve achieved it.” These coaches are investing all of the time and energy needed into this blossoming group of young leaders to make them ready to win now.

Sure, if they retain all of this talent and continue to recruit well, the future may be bright. Perhaps, even a playoff berth by next season, but they might just do it this season.

The Terps are 4-0 now. The game went final 27-10 in Madison.

The schedule only will continue to get tougher, but 4-0 going into the Bye week is a sweet feeling. Off the bye, the Terps host Demond Williams and the Washington Huskies which will be another true test for this young bunch. If they can find two wins out of the next three, anything can happen.

Next Three Games:

• 10/4 vs Washington
• 10/11 vs Nebraska
• 10/18 @UCLA

For all I know, the Terps will win them all and be 7-0 going into their next Bye week. This team certainly has the talent for it. Coach Locksley is building a sleeping giant, and I’ve quickly become a fan. Delhomme caught my eye first, but this entire team is incredibly fun to watch. Keep working hard, keep the outside noise where it belongs, and “let it all work out.” The chips fall where they fall.

Enjoy the Bye Week 4-0 Maryland. I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.