In what should have been a definite rout for the Maryland Terps in their season opener was more like a conference game than they possibly could have thought. It was also a tough day for Terps starting quarterback Jordan Steffy, who has come under a rash of scrutiny since the beginning of the summer.
Steffy completed 10 of 18 passes for 115 yards before being replaced by the very popular Chris Turner. His 36-yard completion to Heyward-Bey set up the game’s first touchdown, a 12-yard run by Heyward-Bey in the second quarter.
Early in the third quarter, Steffy intended to throw to Heyward-Bey but instead threw directly at Delaware linebacker Erik Johnson, who intercepted and returned it 13 yards to midfield.
Steffy left the game with an injury to his thumb and Terps Head Coach Friedgen said, “there are no changes to come as of yet. We will look at his situation this week and see what we need to consider for next weekend.”
“I thought he played pretty good in the first half,” Friedgen said. “The second half, I don’t know when he hurt his thumb. I don’t think he said anything to us about it in the first half.”
Maryland’s running game behind Da’Rel Scott saved the Terps. Scott rushed for 197 yards in what would be the most since Bruce Perry in an opening game.
Even with the Terps struggling offensively, the Blue Hens could not find many ways of their own to generate any offense at all. They had a total of 249 yards offense the entire day.
For Blue Hens fans today was the first chance to get a look at Robby Schoenhoft, a transfer from Ohio State, who went 14-for-22 for 128 yards and an interception. Delaware’s Aaron Love had four catches for 49 yards, becoming the fifth player in school history to top 2,000 yards receiving.
