Fumbles and flags have been the story of the first quarter in Philadelphia, as Maryland and Temple have stumbled out to a 3-3 tie at the end of the first.
Temple received the opening kickoff, and Matt Brown fumbled the ball on the first play. The credit for the strip was given to Joe Vellano, but Cole Farrand was influential in the play. Demetrius Hartsfield recovered at the Owls' 24, giving the Terps great field position to start out their first drive, but after an illegal block penalty to Kevin Dorsey, the drive stalled. Brad Craddock, who missed a 25-yard field goal against William & Mary last week, hit a 45-yarder to give Maryland the 3-0 lead.
On the third play of Temple's second drive, Maryland forced another fumble, this time from quarterback Chris Coyer. Darius Kilgo was credited with the force, but this time it was Farrand who played a large role, and A.J. Francis recovered at the Terps' 45.
Three plays later, it was Perry Hills who fumbled, and Olaniyi Adewole recovered at Maryland's 47. After a drive that included a facemask penalty by Lorne Goree and a 14-yard run by Coyer, the Owls tied it up on a 36-yard Brandon McManus field goal.
On Maryland's next drive, the Terps managed to get two (!) first downs, thanks to an eleven-yard Hills run and a 9-yard screen pass to Stefon Diggs. The drive ended with an 18-yard punt (not a typo) from Nathan Renfro.
After another defensive stop, Diggs returned a punt 27 yards, gained a key first down on a third-and-six option play that went 12 yards, and then another first down on a 12-yard reception on a slant play. That's where Maryland stands now, with a first-and-ten at the Owls' 29.
Diggs has four touches (two receptions, one rush, one return) for 60 yards on the day.