Terp 'D' Impressive
September 19, 2003 11:29 AM | General
September 19, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Instead of E.J. Maryland now looks to D.J.
The Terrapin defense is still going strong in 2003 despite losing ACC defensive player of the year E.J. Henderson to graduation. Henderson, drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Vikings, was a one-man wrecking crew against West Virginia last year in Morgantown.
“Henderson was the best linebacker in the ACC last year and is probably the best linebacker we’ve faced since I’ve been here,” said West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez.
Now taking Henderson’s place is another promising defender in middle linebacker D’Qwell (D.J.) Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 227-pound sophomore from Largo, Fla.
Jackson currently leads the Terps and is third in the ACC with an average of 11 tackles per game. In addition, Jackson has also accumulated two tackles for losses, one pass breakup, five quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
“I don’t see a lot of drop off in talent (with Jackson replacing Henderson),” said Rodriguez.
Jackson is one of just two new starters on a Maryland defense that returns nine regulars from a year ago. Last year’s unit ranked seventh nationally in points allowed and held opponents scoreless in 30 quarters in 2002, second-most of any Division I-A school behind Kansas State (34).
“I see the same defense except maybe they are a little more experienced this year,” said Rodriguez.
All but two of Maryland’s opponents were held at or below their rushing average heading into play against the Terps. West Virginia, which finished 2002 averaging 283.6 yards per game on the ground, got just 186 in a loss in Morgantown.
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| Defensive back Madieu Williams is one of seven senior starters on the Maryland defense. (All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
That trend is continuing this year for Maryland. In two of three games this season, Maryland has held its opponents to less than 100 yards rushing, including just 90 last week by The Citadel. In Gary Blackney’s two-plus years coordinating the Maryland defense, the Terps have held the opposition to less than 100 yards on the ground six times.
“Florida State made some plays on them, but Florida State makes plays on everybody,” said Rodriguez. “Northern Illinois broke a few tackles on some big plays, but Maryland really controlled them in that game.”
In addition to the development of Jackson, a major reason for Maryland’s stingy defense is its defensive front consisting of Randy Starks (6-4, 305, Jr.), C.J. Feldheim (6-3, 287, Sr.) and Scott Smith (6-5, 257, Sr.).
Starks, a junior, has the ability to play on Sundays. ESPN.com voted Starks the ACC preseason defensive player of the year after an impressive sophomore season. Starks has kept right up where he left off last season, recording 16 tackles, three tackles for losses and a sack through three games. The Waldorf, Md., resident is just four sacks shy of cracking the career top 10 at Maryland.
“He’s made some plays against us in the past and he’s a big, strong guy,” said Rodriguez of Starks. “We had a hard time with him last year. All of their front guys are big and strong.”
Playing alongside Starks are a pair of active down linemen in defensive end Scott Smith and defensive tackle C.J. Feldheim. The two have combined for 20 tackles, a tackle for a loss and a sack.
Senior outside linebacker Leon Joe (6-1, 232, Sr.) has been one of the more underrated players on the Maryland defense the past few seasons. Joe is second on the team with 28 tackles and had 12 in the loss to Florida State.
Joe teams with LEO backer Jamahl Cochran (6-0, 254, Jr.) and strongside linebacker Leroy Ambush (6-1, 225, Sr.) to give the Terps size, athletic ability and experience.
The secondary is anchored by senior free safety Madieu Williams (6-1, 188, Sr.), who is near the top of Mel Kiper Jr’s draft board of top NFL prospects.
Williams, a former transfer from Towson State, has produced 94 tackles, four tackles for losses, a sack and six interceptions in two-plus years in the Maryland program.
Williams has two capable corners to rely on in junior Domonique Foxworth (5-11, 177, Jr.) and Curome Cox (6-0, 197, Sr.).
Senior Dennard Wilson (5-10, 189, Sr.) should get the starting nod at strong safety. Wilson is one of seven senior starters on the Maryland defense.
Opponents have completed just 48.2 percent of their passes against the Maryland secondary for 544 yards, an average of 181.3 yards per game. Terp defensive backs have picked off three passes this year.
“They’ve got their entire secondary back,” said Rodriguez. “The difference is now they’ve got a third year in their system. They’ve had another year to grow in the weight room.”
Aiding Maryland’s defense once again this year is another strong-footed punter in freshman Adam Podlesh (5-11, 209, Fr.). Brooks Barnard’s replacement has averaged 45.6 yards per punt in three games this season, including a long of 63 yards.
Maryland has taken the last two games at College Park in 1999 and 2001 by scores of 33-0 and 32-20. The Terps have also won the last two meetings against West Virginia in a series that is dead even at 19-19-2.
There is no live television for Saturday’s game, but Mountaineer fans can catch MSN’s play-by-play through Yahoo! Sports. Click on the link on the main page for subscription details.
The contest is set to kickoff at 6 p.m.
