Newcomers, youngsters and one unit stand out in Maryland football's spring game

Aug 14, 2023

Maryland football's spring season ended Saturday afternoon with the annual Red-White Spring Game going in favor of the Red squad, 20-19.

Transfer wide receiver Tyrese Chambers won the Frank Reich MVP Award thanks to a pair of touchdown grabs to go along with 37 yards on four catches.

"It was a game that as a head coach you'd like to see, competitive there at the end," head coach Mike Locksley said. "I was a little worried about the offense there in the first quarter… but [that's] a testament to the defensive staff and the job they've done preparation-wise. You know, this was a very limited game plan. We weren't trying to out-scheme guys today. It was just a matter, like I've said before, about running, blocking, tackling, throwing the football and the fundamentals of the game more than anything and so I was really pleased with the day's effort."

Both teams struggled out of the gate, but eventually got on the board in the second quarter before heading to the half tied at 10. Both Taulia Tagovailoa and Billy Edwards put up solid numbers in the first half, but left some to be desired.

"We need to work on fundamentals, continue to be disciplined and everyone just do their job," Tagovailoa said. "And I mean, the biggest thing is us bonding together."

Tagovailoa sat for the second half, but the Terps got 110 plays worth of reps for players across the board. Cam Edge showed off his talents taking control of the Red team, but a combination effort between Edwards and Jayden Sauray gave the White team a chance to win in the end. A failed two-point conversion was the difference between steak and lobsters or beans and hot dogs for dinner.

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"I thought we got better," Locksley said. "We have some work to do, obviously, this summer as we start preparation for our season opener against my alma mater the Towson Tigers. But I expect the guys and the culture within that locker room to put the necessary work in for us to be ready come September 2."

Defense won in the trenches

One of the noticeable early struggles for both Maryland offenses came along the offensive line. Just 10 offensive linemen were available with Deandre Duffus and Andre Roye Jr. sitting out, meaning reps were plentiful but changes were limited. Tagovailoa struggled to make things happen with limited time in the pocket and was consistently chased down by defensive linemen breaking through.

The White team defense that featured Tommy Akingbesote, Taizse Johnson and Quashon Fuller caused constant breakdowns, but transfers Jordan Phillips (Tennessee) and Christian Teague (Morgan State) made impacts and showed depth at the position on the Red team.

Receiver Room Filled with Talent

There was never any doubt in the talent the Terps possess at skill positions, but the receiving game proved just how deep it is Saturday. Maryland had 15 players catch at least one pass with nine of those receivers having at least 25 yards.

Size and speed combined with good routes to get Terrapin receivers open, including a three-catch and 69-yard performance by Leon Haughton Jr., a five-catch and 75-yard day by Tai Felton as well as a four-catch and 54-yard outing by Kaden Prather to go along with Chambers’ MVP performance.

"I thought both [Prather] and [Chambers] did a really good job," Locksley said. "They're both still in that learning mode, the tempo in which we play and being able to get lined up cleanly, but testing it today Tyrese made a couple of plays and big catches there for us and then Kaden also made a few plays down the field for us which showed to me the type of players they have the potential to be. And now we got to continue to keep the timing down with Talia and those guys and, losing the production that we lost and Dontay Demus, Rakim Jarrett and Jacob Copeland, I was glad to see the way these guys kind of came in assimilated and help us continue our trajectory in the right direction offensively."

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Tight ends also played a large role in the Maryland offense as Corey Dyches led all receivers with six catches and Preston Howard had a huge 35-yard catch at the end of the first half that played part in his 61-yard performance. True freshman Rico Walker also grabbed two catches for 18 yards in a solid performance for the early enrollee.

"Not playing last season kind of took a toll on my confidence a little bit, not being able to show what I can do against college players," Howard said. "But this spring really showed me, it's just the same, I'll be good. I just gotta have confidence in myself and when I have confidence in myself, sky's the limit."

Quarterbacks show promise after rough start

Maryland knows what it has with Tagovailoa, but it was a rough start for both he and Billy Edwards to kick-off the spring game Saturday. Once Tagovailoa helped the Red team score, both sides put it together and had strong performances.

Tagovailoa finished with 210 yards on 16 completions and added a touchdown, while Edwards tallied 224 yards on 13 completions with a beautiful touchdown pass of his own to Robert Smith. Redshirt freshman Cam Edge came on in the second half for Tagovailoa and showed flashes with the Red team receivers, connecting with Chambers for a touchdown in the third quarter.

"[Edge] has done a really good job. You know, he's a guy that has shown the mental maturity, doesn't have a lot of ebbs and flows of riding the wave of emotions that come with playing that position and I like the makeup he has as a quarterback," Locksley said. "With [Sauray], he's a guy that's continuing to work and progress. He requested and wanted to be in a live jersey today, which I think is a testament to him wanting to showcase the ability as not just a thrower but a runner. You know, he did some nice things today too and we’ve got to continue to develop those guys here this summer up through the season because you never know, you may have to count on those guys."

Injury updates

Gavin Gibson, Shaleak Knotts, Leron Husbands, and Joshua Jennings did not dress alongside Duffus and Roye, while Ramon Brown did not play and was seen with a boot on his left leg and using a knee scooter.

Ja’Quan Sheppard attempted a tackle on Kaden Prather in the first half and remained down after the play with an injury that prompted swift activation of the medical cart. He did eventually make his way to the injury cart under his own power and returned to the sideline later in the second half without pads. Tarheeb Still hit the deck after being tripped up alongside Prather across the middle and stayed down for a minute but jogged off to the medical tent shortly after. Locksley said the team will await MRI and X-Ray results, but that major injuries seemed to be avoided throughout the spring as a whole.