MICHAEL MAROT
AP Sports Writer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Maryland coach Randy Edsall has seen enough of Indiana running back Tevin Coleman.
On tape, he’s big, overpowering and fast. On paper, his numbers are intimidating. And in person, well, Coleman lives up to the image.
No, it might not be the ideal way for the Terrapins to get their initiation into Big Ten football Saturday, but Coleman’s presence will certainly give this new era a traditional start.
“If you look at the stats that he has, they speak for themselves,” Edsall said. “He’s one that you have to tackle. He’s very versatile. They use him running the ball, they use him catching screens, and he’s just really good.”
The numbers show it.
Through three games, nobody’s been better than the 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior.
He enters this weekend leading the nation with nearly 190 yards rushing per game. Coleman’s five straight 100-yard game are tied for the nation’s longest active streak, and he’s tied Anthony Thompson’s Hoosiers record by scoring a touchdown in 12 consecutive games. Thompson was the 1989 Heisman Trophy runner-up.
As the numbers continue to pile up at Indiana (2-1), coach Kevin Wilson insists this is not just a one-man show, even as Coleman has 14 runs of 30 or more yards, 11 runs of 40 or more yards and six runs of 50 or more yards — all national bests.
“It’s an attitude to run. It’s more of a mindset, and it’s taken us some time to get that mindset where we’re mature enough across the board,” Wilson said. “It’s tough to do it week after week.”
But the Hoosiers’ high-octane offense also has a new-wave look — up-tempo and wide open.
Even Edsall, who beat Indiana twice during his tenure Connecticut, hasn’t seen anything quite like it.
So Maryland (3-1) opens league play with one of its most daunting challenges this season, slowing down Coleman & Co.
“They go very fast, faster than anybody we’ve seen play,” Edsall said. “They do a great job of running the football. One of the things we are going to have to do is control the run and make sure that we get lined up and be able to execute at a very quick pace.”
Here are some more things to watch Saturday.
BIG KICKOFF: The Hoosiers and Terrapins have only met twice in football. Indiana won both times, in 1934 and 1935. But Maryland has won four straight road games and owns the most important victory between these schools — in the 2002 men’s basketball national championship game.
BIG CHANCE: Last year Indiana snapped a 12-game losing streak in Big Ten openers by stunning Penn State. A win over Maryland would end another drought. Indiana started 1-0 in league play in back-to-back seasons since 1990 and 1991. The 1990 win also followed a non-conference victory over Missouri.
BIG PLAYS: The Terrapins rank second in the Big Ten with 10 takeaways and are on pace, at 2.5 per game, to finish with 30 takeaways this season. That would be Maryland’s highest total since producing 34 in 2001. The Terrapins also have blocked a field goal and two punts.
BIG CHART-MOVERS: Coleman and receiver Shane Wynn will each crack the school’s top 10 in career touchdowns with their next score. Wynn needs four more receptions to pass Tandon Doss (154) for No. 4 in school history. Quarterback Nate Sudfeld will surpass Trent Green for No. 8 with 392 yards Saturday, and needs three TD passes to Harry Gonso (32) for No. 5 all-time.
BIG CAUSE: Indiana’s coaches will wear patches during the game to help raise money for Coach to Cure MD. Fans can donate online at www.CoachtoCureMD.org or donate $5 by texting CURE to 90999.
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