Although the coaching staff for Maryland did everything to keep the Terrapins on a high after last week's shocker over Miami, they just came out a bit flat, and Virginia just had too many horses. Virginia alternated backs all day, and they had a field day running behind one of the nation's very best offesnive lines. Maryland was game, but they could not stop CDS PP runningback Walli Lundy who had a big game with over 120+ yards and both Cavalier TDs.
Paving the way in outstanding fashion were CDS PP guard Elton Brown and CDS PPP tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Brad Butler. All three may wind up playing on Sundays next year. I really became sold on Brown (finally Rob) in this one. He showed me more quickness than I had seen before and really got after it pulling. I'm still not pleased with how high he sets up--sometimes telegraphing the pass--but I can see more of what you were raving about. No later than pick 40--IMO--and possibly as high as top 10-15.
Virginia's draft-elligible sophomore MLB Ahmad Brooks continues to impress. I'd be hard-pressed to think of a more dominant college MLB right now. If he comes out, he's a definite first rounder. CDS PP linebacker Darryl Blackstock was also very solid in this one--I had him for 5 TTs and 2 sacks. The D-line was led by senior defensive tackle Andrew Hoffman (not in the database) who had 7 total tackles (5/2) 2 QB pressures and a sack. He was the best defensive lineman on the field for either team today. Maryland's OL just could not get any push against these guys, and the massive VA OL got plenty against Marylands small DL.
Maryland's CDS PP linebacker D'Qwell Jackson kept pace with the two Virginia phenoms in this one, and actually outshone both of them together statistically with a monster 19 TT performance. He is someone who should move up the Top 100.
Summary:
Maryland:
OG C.J. Brooks, PP: neutral
CB Domonique Foxworth, PP: positive
LB D'Qwell Jackson, PP: VERY positive
DE Shawne Merriman, PP: very positive
WR Steve Sutter, PPP: DNP ( a huge factor for the Terps--no air game at all.)
K Nick Novak, PPP: neutral
DE Kevin Eli, PPP: negative (in on only 3 tackles that I saw)
C Kyle Schmitt, PPP: neutral
HB Josh Allen, PPP: neutral (good early on--disappeared in second half)
Virginia:
LB Ahmad Brooks, PP: very positive
LB Darryl Blackstock, PP: very positive
TE Heath Miller, PP: very positive (didn't catch much--but WHAT A BLOCKER!)
HB Walli Lundy, PP: VERY positive (showed me more wiggle than I thought he had.)
DE Chris Canty, PP: DNP--out for year
OG Elton Brown, PP: positive
DE Kwakou Robinson, PP: Don't think he played--didn't do anything if he did.
TE Pat Estes, PP: neutral...is there a reason this guy is a PP?
K Connor Hughes, PP: negative...missed an XP and two medium-range FGs.
LB Rich Bedesen, PPP: DNP.
D'Brickashaw Ferguson, PPP: positive
DE Brennan Schmidt, PPP: neutral
OT Brad Butler, PPP: very positive
Recommendations: Make Virginia's Andrew Hoffman a PPP, and keep an eye on him for possible upgrade. He reminds me of Chad Eaton, and while he may never be a star in the NFL, the guy can certainly play at the next level.
Downgrade Kwakou Robinson to PPP. Same with TE Pat Estes and K Connor Hughes.
Move D'Qwell Jackson up the Rob's Rankings board.
Keep him in mind for Top 100 consideration if he keeps it up.