Featured image courtesy of Mr. Schultz. Randy Edsall walks on sideline in Maryland’s game against Clemson.

Nearly one year ago Brandon Ross lost his starting job after fumbling twice in the first half against University of South Florida. Ross’s possession troubles continued to haunt him as he finished the 2014 season with five fumbles.

The fifth-year running back left any ball handling woes behind him Saturday when he rushed for a career high 150 yards to power the Terrapins’ offense to a 50-21 rout of Richmond in the team’s season opener.

Maryland relied on its two veteran running backs to carry the offense on a day when quarterback Perry Hills, who started his first game since 2012, struggled to get it done in the air.

The backfield tandem of Ross and Wes Brown combined for 224 of Maryland’s 341 total rushing yards.

“It’s definitely a competitive relationship,” Ross said of Brown. “If one of us has a big run the other one wants to get a big run as well.”

But it was Will Likely’s heroics on punt returns that stole the show at Byrd Stadium. The junior cornerback danced his way past defenders for 233 yards on punt returns, setting a new Big Ten record.

“I don’t know if there are enough superlatives to use in regards to Will Likely,” coach Randy Edsall said. “Our guys know we have a weapon back there and if they do their job he’s got a chance to score.”

Likely drove a fourth quarter dagger into the Spiders with a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown, bolstering the Terps to a 29-point lead.

“I definitely wanted that [touchdown] bad because they called the first one back,” Likely said. “I promised them I was going to get another one. So we just made something happen.”

Ross and Brown contributed to the Terps’ lead when the duo scored back-to-back rushing touchdowns. Ross had a 21-yard run in the third quarter and Brown added an insurance touchdown off a 1-yard run to make it 36-14 with 12:55 to go in the fourth quarter.

Ross attributed Maryland’s success in the running game to the offensive line’s ability to create holes. He said the offensive linemen spent the winter and summer bulking up their weight and strength to become more of a force.

“It’s a mentality,” coach Randy Edsall said. “To know that when we need to run the ball, we can run the ball.”

Getting it done on the ground made up for Hills’ inconsistency in the passing game. He completed just 12 of his 21 attempts for 138 yards – less than half of Maryland’s total rushing yards.

“It always helps having playmakers around you, especially Brandon Ross and Wes Brown,” Hills said. “It does take a weight off your shoulders having those guys back there.”

On the other side of the ball the Terps showcased their new 4-3 defense lead by defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson and middle linebacker Jermaine Carter, Jr., who made his first start for the Terps today.

Despite some mistakes – kicker Brad Craddock missed an extra point and a field goal, and Hills was inaccurate at times – Edsall said the Terps’ dominant performance was a total team effort.

“We talked to our team last night and told them that with the first game one thing we need to do is make a good first impression,” Edsall said. “There are things that we have to continue to get better at and we will.”