With Perry Hills starting again, Maryland is back on the run
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Version 0 of 1. For all the uncertainty the Maryland football program was plunged into in the days surrounding its 49-28 loss to Ohio State earlier this month, Perry Hills was able to firmly answer one question. In Randy Edsall’s final game as coach, the junior finally slammed shut its revolving door at quarterback with 303 yards of total offense, including 170 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The rushing total was a single-game record for a Maryland quarterback, and it caused Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer to tell a Columbus radio show that Hills’s running ability had driven the Buckeyes “insane.” It also moved interim coach Mike Locksley to named Hills his starting quarterback almost immediately after replacing Edsall. In doing so, the Terrapins appear ready to move forward with a redesigned offensive approach that more closely resembles last year’s option-oriented game plan than anything the Terrapins had employed, to frustrating and inefficient effect, earlier this season. As further evidence of that change, Locksley even moved fullback Shane Cockerille back to his former position of quarterback this week, adding depth to the position with a player who has similar repertoire as Hills. “It gives us some depth and a big body and the ability to execute this offense. It’s the same thing we did last year with C.J. Brown,” Locksley said. “We’ll still have some throws in there, we’ll still be able to run it, but obviously we’ll run it to match the skill set of the guy out there, and that’s Perry.” The re-promotion of Hills, alongside the position change of Cockerille, is the latest plot twist for a position that has been unstable since August. After starting the first two games of the season, Hills was demoted to third string in favor of Caleb Rowe, whom the staff felt gave the offense more of a chance to stretch the field with his arm strength. But Rowe struggled with his accuracy and decision-making, throwing 12 interceptions in four games, and was relieved by Oklahoma State transfer Daxx Garman in ugly losses against West Virginia and Michigan. Hills said Wednesday he was frustrated with his place on the depth chart after being demoted to third string in September, telling himself he wouldn’t squander another opportunity. But even as Rowe struggled in three starts and Garman failed to take control of the position, Hills still didn’t know whether he would receive another chance. In the days before Maryland traveled to Ohio State, Edsall reopened up a three-way competition at the position, and again Hills thrived and won the job. The offensive approach changed at that point, too, with Locksley designing a game plan that featured more zone-read option plays and opened up play-action passing options. “It definitely felt more comfortable. Just being able to take off, run the ball, just get yards anyway I can. That’s going to be our point of emphasis is moving the ball and scoring points,” Hills said. “That’s definitely going to help the passing game because people are going to be spying me more.” Hills finished most of his 25 carries against Ohio State by lowering his shoulder into contact, and he looked battered as he walked off the field. He said Wednesday that he always has been taught to claw for an extra yard or two in the open field, a habit that is difficult to change even though he knows he must protect himself now that he is his team’s clear-cut starter. He said he is still learning to slide in certain situations, but having freedom to run the ball also puts him into a certain rhythm as a passer. Hills, who finished 10 for 27 passing for 133 yards against the Buckeyes, has completed 47.4 percent of his passes this season. Cockerille, who is listed as the co-backup alongside Rowe, is a former three-star quarterback recruit who was moved from quarterback to fullback earlier this summer. Locksley said part of his decision to move Cockerille is related to Garman being “banged up.” “Those guys are going to have to throw the football. I doubt that we’ll just line up and get in a single wing and just run the ball every play,” said Locksley, who also told reporters that Hills’s mother would not be happy with him if he continues to let the hard-nosed Pittsburgh native absorb punishment. Hills said this week’s game against Penn State is personal, an opportunity to “go and beat a team that overlooked you, maybe.” The Nittany Lions have the Big Ten’s fourth-ranked defense, allowing just 297.6 yards per game. It will be another opportunity for Hills to prove himself within a revamped Maryland offense, which made depth chart moves at quarterback, fullback, tight end and offensive line earlier this week. “I just told myself, whenever the [opportunity] comes, just to be ready,” Hills said. “If it came and when it came, you don’t know. You don’t know those things.” |