On the game's first play from scrimmage, Maryland's QB Chris Turner, in a shotgun formation, threw into coverage and was intercepted by Rutgers LB #50 Antonio Lowery who returned it for a touchdown. Turner quickly shook off the bad play on the next offensive possession by hitting rising star #82 WR Torrey Smith for a 45 yard completion.  The drive stalled and Maryland kicked a FG.  Offensively, Rutgers moved the ball effectively running inside but bogged down repeatedly.  Maryland’s defense was solid for most of the evening and was never threatened vertically by Rutgers inept passing attack.  For some odd reason, Maryland continuously blitzed Rutgers on 3^rd and long situations, although Rutgers never showed that it was capable of completing a pass down the field.  Rutgers defense received a lot of help from Maryland’s offense turning the ball over.  Turner showed to be an erratic thrower in the pocket and was intercepted 3 times. Turner also fumbled in the end zone which was recovered by Rutgers DE #31 George Johnson putting Rutgers ahead for good in the 3^rd quarter.

Da’Rel Scott for Maryland added a fumble to the team's miscues.  Maryland decided to go for it on 4^th & 3 around midfield with just under 8 minutes to play, instead of maybe punting and playing to pin Rutgers offense deep in its own territory.  The move backfired as Maryland’s bend but don’t break defense finally gave way with about 7 minutes to go on consecutive big runs.  #38 Joe Martinek scored from 29 yards out with just under 5 minutes to play to break an otherwise close game open. 

Rutgers

#2 Tim Brown(WR) caught one pass and was not a factor for much of the game.  He did manage a crucial 3rd down reception that kept a drive alive late in the game.  Otherwise, the only other attempt to Brown was broken up by #2 DB Antwine Perez.

#78 Kevin Haslam is an athletic RT but not a dominant inline run blocker.  He is more finesse than power at this point and does not knock defenders off the ball.  He has good feet and shows the quickness to position and wall off on run blocks.  Good depth on his pass set and shows the body control to redirect.

#61 Ryan Blaszczyk(OC) was a steady player but he lacks quickness to the second level and is a short area guy.  He shows a very good anchor versus the bull rush in pass protection.   He shows very good awareness of blitzers.

#19 Jack Corcoran(FB) Is a tough blocker but he is a one dimensional player that hits to and not thru contact.  He cannot get movement on the isolation block and does not offer much as a receiver or ball carrier. 

#21 Devin McCourty is the boundary DC and is solid in zone coverage but will need work on jamming and re-routing receivers in cover 2.  He was not tested much in man coverage but he did get an interception on a go route.  He is a solid tackler and made a nice tackle as a gunner in punt coverage. 

#44 Ryan D’Imperio(IB) is an active player that has good instincts and takes very good angles to the ball.  He has great range and shows the ability to cover the seam route in cover 2.  He is a very good tackler but will need to keep his feet and run thru contact. 

Maryland

#10 Chris Turner(QB) is not a Division I caliber QB.  He makes some questionable decisions and is erratic in the pocket.  He does not show the ability to consistently move the offense and throws into coverage often.  Turnover prone.

#72 Phil Costa(OC) is a good technician that shows the ability to snap and step to get position.  He can sink his hips and anchor in pass protection and is a solid player.

#1 Terrell Skinner(DS) played a solid game and made a key hit on 3^rd and goal and was around the ball quite a bit.  Too many plays land at his shoe tops and he needs to be more of a factor instead of pulling off plays.  He is an athletic player that has very good range.

#90 Travis Ivey plays the NT and is a powerful short area player.  He is stout vs the double team but needs to keep his pad level down.  He can close to the ball and has shown to pressure the pocket and get sacks inside. 

#6 Anthony Wiseman shows adequate speed to carry receivers deep.  He is not a big or physical DC and has only one gear.  He made a nice play when he beat Tim Brown inside but on the next play was pinned inside and gave up the perimeter.  I think that he will struggle as the play extends down the field. 

CORNELL A. GOWDY

Cornell Gowdy has enjoyed an accomplished career as both a professional football player and scout.  He was an area scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003-2009.  He served in a similar capacity for the New Orleans Saints from 1997-2003.  Gowdy also was a part of National Football Scouting, Inc. from 1996-97.

Before he began a successful career in scouting, Gowdy played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1986-1989.