Wisconsin Football: 10 Things to know about the Maryland Terrapins

COLLEGE PARK, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Wide receiver Alex Erickson

Q: Maryland was the most penalized team in the Big Ten in 2016.  Was that youth or discipline or something else?

A: Maryland did have a significant amount of freshmen that saw the field in 2016. Some of it can be attributed to that for sure. However, Durkin also altered very several items scheme-wise for the Terps, including a very fast-paced offense under offensive coordinator Walt Bell.

It’s really hard to pinpoint it on one particular area, but it’s something that should improve in 2017.

Badger of Honor:

Perhaps this is anomaly but it did stand out as the Terrapins hurting their own cause.  A longer time horizon of Maryland in Big Ten play and under Durkin will give us a bigger sample size to see if this is a problem.  

At least in basketball, Big Ten refs typically allow more physical play.  Not sure honestly what the reputation is for football beyond me getting mad when Wisconsin is flagged.  Speaking of the Badgers, Wisconsin is one of the least penalized teams in the Big Ten.  

Avoiding penalties to me is all about technique and discipline.  Being coached up properly to block without holding or in the back and defend without committing interference or hitting too high.  

That said, since defensive pass interference is only a 15-yard infraction in college, it can be the smarter decision when you’re about to get beat for a TD.  But penalties can kill drives or extend them and leave your defense on the field.  

Next: 10 Questions about Iowa Football with Dear Old Gold

Even if it’s not costing you points, it’s conceding field position and making your job harder in all three phases.  Hope that wasn’t too esoteric.  Penalties bad.