The takeoff was perhaps smoother than expected.
The arrival of turbulence, though, was almost inevitable in DJ Durkin’s first year trying to overhaul Maryland. But there has been nothing so far that suggests he doesn’t have the Terps flying in the right direction.
Maryland is playing much more sound defensively, it has found offensive improvement by cutting down on the turnovers that plagued the program a year ago, and the players are clearly playing hard for Durkin. The roster is still in need of talent upgrades and increased depth, but the Terps are 4-2 and need to find just two more wins to earn bowl eligibility and turn a season that is already shaping up to a be a step forward into a slam-dunk success in Durkin’s debut campaign.