Gäste Forum » one play." A field goal by Jeremy Shel

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Though first-year coach DJ Durkin is known for his defensive prowess, Maryland is unbeaten after three games largely on account of its prolific offense.Quarterback Perry Hills has completed 62 percent of his passes, three for touchdowns, and Maryland is only one of two Football Bowl Subdivision teams (also Western Michigan) without a turnover. The Terrapins are averaging 266.7 yards rushing and have scored 123 points, second-most in school history after three games.Two weeks ago, the defense gave up 455 yards at Central Florida and the Terps still came away with a 30-24 overtime victory .Durkin came to Maryland after a successful run as Michigans defensive coordinator. He expects the Terrapins defense to improve dramatically -- perhaps as soon as Saturday, when Maryland returns from a bye week to launch its Big Ten schedule against visiting Purdue (2-1, 0-0).For now, Durkin will happily take victories manufactured by an offense that isnt restricted by the two-deep depth chart.Were doing a good job of getting everyone involved. Were rotating guys at about every spot out there, Durkin said Tuesday. Everyone understands that they have a role. How they practice affects what that role is, how many snaps they get. Thats a big part of our program.Fourteen different players have caught a pass and 10 players have carried the ball. The depth at running back will be bolstered Saturday by the return of Wes Brown, who ran for 317 yards last year but missed the first three games while serving a suspension for a violation of the schools student athlete code of conduct.Brown practiced with the team during the suspension and is poised to join a running attack that currently ranks second in the Big Ten behind only Ohio State.Wes has been outstanding the whole time, Durkin said. He will definitely be in the mix.The offensive shuffle extends to the line. Though Durkin employed the same starters against Howard, Florida International and UCF, the backups have seen plenty of action and will almost certainly be utilized Saturday and beyond.Since Ive been at Maryland, its always been the five guys who played the whole game, said junior left tackle William Dunn, who has 40 career starts. Its nice knowing that some of the younger guys can get in every once in a while, get some experience. If something happens during the year, its not going to be their first game. Now that were in Big Ten play, they wont be nervous about going out there the first time.Even the backup quarterbacks have contributed. After Hills left in overtime with a shoulder injury, freshman Tyrell Pigrome ran 24 yards for the game-winning touchdown.Hills is expected to return against Purdue, but Durkin wont hesitate to call upon Pigrome is the situation is right.Its good to know we have that option available to us, the coach said.Although depth is definitely a factor in Marylands offensive success, first-year coordinator Walt Bell certainly deserves some of the credit for installing a hurry-up attack that utilizes a diverse set of plays.They have a perfect plan for us to win the game, said receiver Teldrick Morgan, who has eight catches for 129 yards.Defensively, Durkin said Tuesday that safety Denzel Conyers is done for the season after tearing his ACL against UCF. He will be replaced by Josh Woods, who will make his first career start against Purdue.---Online:APs college football site at http://collegefootball.ap.org Eric Staal Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Greg Pateryn Wild Jersey . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. http://www.authenticwildpro.com/Devan-dubnyk-wild-jersey/ . - Connor McDavid scored 53 seconds into overtime as the Erie Otters came from behind to defeat the visiting Guelph Storm 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jason Zucker Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. Jared Spurgeon Wild Jersey . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses.BALTIMORE -- Matt Ryan looked sharp, Steven Jackson ran the ball well and the Atlanta defence was exceptional in the first half. That, more than the final score, is what the Falcons will take out of their 27-23 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. Ryan threw for 97 yards and a touchdown in four series, and the Falcons led by 16 before the Ravens backups rallied with a 20-point fourth quarter. Atlantas starters bounced back nicely from an opening 34-10 loss to Cincinnati one week earlier. Under Ryans direction, the Falcons pierced Baltimore (2-0) for 11 first downs in 16 1/2 minutes and built a 20-7 lead at halftime. The defence limited the defending Super Bowl champions to three first downs and 13 yards rushing before halftime -- a mere 10 by Ray Rice on eight carries. "The feel on the sideline was that there were a number of areas that we improved on as a football team," Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. "Players that were going to be counting on, I think took a big step from Week One to Week Two." It was 23-7 before Baltimore came back against Atlantas subs. After Tyrod Taylor threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tandon Doss to make it 23-20 with 7:52 left, and Asa Jackson scored on a 78-yard punt return with 6:18 remaining. "Were just happy to come away with the win," Rice said. "Our young guys are really improving. Thats special to us." Ryan went 8 for 15 and threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones. "We were better this week than we were last, and thats what you want to do in the preseason, you want to continue to get better," Ryan said. "Again, weve got a long way to go, but it was a good start." Steven Jackson had 42 yards rushing on eight carries against a defensive unit that has seven new starters. "Having success tonight is great for our confidence," he said. "Weve been working on the chemistry between the running back and the offensive line, and we feel the hard work showed tonight." The Ravens, conversely, were embarrassed by the easy fashion in which the Falcons moved downfield. "That was not us," Ravens defensive co-ordinator Dean Pees said at halftime. "Thats not how we play. Our fundamentals were not what they should be." Baltimores offence wasnt much better. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco played the first halff, completing 7 of 9 passes 118 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith.dddddddddddd But over the first 30 minutes, the Ravens got only 54 yards on 18 plays besides the pass to Smith. "That first half was about as poorly as we can play," sixth-year coach John Harbaugh said. "I cant remember us playing worse since we came here." Atlanta had its way with Baltimores defence, even though receiver Roddy White hurt his ankle in the first quarter and did not return. "We made the decision that Roddy was not going to come back in the ballgame," Smith said, refusing to address the particulars of the injury. After going three and out on the opening series, Flacco put the Ravens up 7-3 with a touchdown pass to Smith, who cut across the middle of the field from the right side and outran Asante Samuel to the end zone. Atlanta bounced right back, moving 80 yards in seven plays to take a 10-7 lead. Jones burned cornerback Jimmy Smith for three catches totalling 55 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown play. In the first quarter, the Falcons ran 21 plays compared to seven for Baltimore and built a 10-1 advantage in first downs. "We were just sloppy. We never got into a rhythm," Flacco said. "The one drive we did score on, it was just one play." A field goal by Jeremy Shelley and a 2-yard run by Jacquizz Rodgers made it 20-7. Last season, the Ravens held opponents under 20 points in nine games (including two in the playoffs). In their preseason opener, they hammered Tampa Bay 44-16. This game was decidedly different. "This was good for us. A little humble pie," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "We had a lot of success last week, with everything pretty much going our way. Atlanta is a very good team, and you cant make the mistakes we did. Its that simple." Guard Jah Reid said, "Well learn from it, well watch film from it and well get better from it." NOTES: Falcons backup quarterback Dominique Davis went 8 for 10 for 98 yards. ... Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez was scratched because hes participating in only portions of training camp as part of his agreement to postpone his retirement. ... Baltimore played without tight end Dallas Clark, who signed a one-year contract on Tuesday. Visanthe Shiancoe, another newcomer at tight end, did not have a catch. ' ' '