<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2AS9kY_0vjGgIQ700" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2AS9kY_0vjGgIQ700" width="2048" height="1365" ></figure>The Maryland football team's offensive line prepares for a snap during their 38-20 win over Villanova on Sept. 21, 2024. (Lincoln Polan/The Diamondback)Maryland football’s Billy Edwards Jr. took a quick snap midway through the second quarter against Villanova. Four seconds after the quarterback dropped back for a play action pass, with his eyes downfield, a Wildcat drove him to the ground. Edwards had more time than usual. He said play action passes usually give him up to three and a half seconds to make a decision. Edwards took the blame for the sack, the only one the Terps gave up Saturday.While Maryland’s offensive line hasn’t been perfect — especially in the run game — the brand-new unit has mostly protected Edwards well in the first third of the season. “Our offensive line is a work in progress,” coach Michael Locksley said. “We’re doing a great job of protecting our quarterback. [But] sometimes sacks aren’t always offensive-line driven.” Locksley brought in Damian Wroblewski as an assistant offensive line coach this offseason after five years at James Madison. Wroblewski’s worked with offensive line coach Brian Braswell to help guide an inexperienced group in his role. Maryland gave up just one sack in each of its four contests this year, which is tied for the third-fewest mark in the Big Ten per game. With Taulia Tagovailoa as quarterback between 2020 and 2023, the program ranked last twice and was in the bottom half of the league each season.[The Diamondback Sports Digest: Maryland football dominates in nonconference play]Locksley found his starting five with Alan Herron and Andre Roye Jr. at the tackles, Aliou Bah and Isaac Bunyun protecting the interior as guards and Josh Kaltenberger at center. In Edwards’ first season as a starter, he said the cohesive line makes him more comfortable calling audibles, checks and ensuring blockers fill the gaps ahead of the play — a large benefit to the Terps after the snap. The offensive line has kept the pocket clean on 77.6 percent of Edwards’ dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. That mark was less than 72 percent in each of Tagovailoa’s final two seasons. Only two of the four sacks against Maryland’s offense are credited to the offensive line, according to PFF. Kaltenberger believes the pass protection has come together well since the team’s first week. “I feel like we’re taking steps in the right direction but at the same time we’re still working to get that much better,” Kaltenberger said. The offensive line hasn’t been as successful in the ground attack despite its strong passing performance. The Terps have allowed the most tackles for loss in the Big Ten, with an average of more than six per contest. The Terps rank 13th in the conference in yards per carry. [Maryland football isn’t content with its 18-point win over Villanova]But Maryland ran well last weekend. It averaged 5.3 yards per rush on 30 attempts — just a tick below its mark against UConn in the season-opener. Locksley liked how the offensive line covered defenders early against Villanova and was pleased with the run game’s success. The offense converted three of its five attempts on third and fourth down with two or less yards to go, including one for a touchdown. Still, the offensive line understands there’s room for improvement in their run blocking. Locksley feels the same. “We’ve just got to become more consistent in the run game,” Locksley said. “We just have to be more efficient. Last week we took a step forward.” The Terps need to improve at the line of scrimmage to take the next step in the conference, Locksley said this past spring. The coach hasn’t had a winning record in the Big Ten during his tenure. Maryland enters its conference-only slate for the rest of the season on the road Saturday at undefeated Indiana. The offensive line could dictate the Terps’ fate. “As an offense we’re gonna be as good as [the offensive line],” Edwards said. </div></body>

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Maryland football’s offensive line prevents sacks, but still ‘a work in progress’

The Maryland football team's offensive line prepares for a snap during their 38-20 win over Villanova on Sept. 21, 2024. (Lincoln Polan/The Diamondback) Maryland football’s Billy Edwards Jr. took a quick snap midway through the second quarter against Villanova. Four seconds after the quarterback dropped back for a play action pass, with his eyes downfield, a Wildcat drove him to the ground.