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Indiana Football vs Maryland: 5 players to watch

By Alec Lasley

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Anthony McFarland #5 of the Maryland Terapins runs with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 10: Anthony McFarland #5 of the Maryland Terapins runs with the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Javon Leake #20 of the Maryland Terrapins runs the ball and is tackled by Harrison Hand #23 and Chapelle Russell #3 of the Temple Owls in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 14: Javon Leake #20 of the Maryland Terrapins runs the ball and is tackled by Harrison Hand #23 and Chapelle Russell #3 of the Temple Owls in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on September 14, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Javon Leake

The speedster from all over the field has become the newest weapon for the Terrapins and has exceeded expectations in the first half of the 2019 season.

Used more as a return man a season ago, the junior has emerged as equally as talented out of the backfield averaging 9.2 yards per carry this year.

Though Leake has yet to have more than eight carries in any game this season, he has rushed for over 50 yards in four of Maryland’s six games and punched it in the end zone on five different occasions as well.

Still a threat on kickoffs, Leake is averaging nearly 30 yards per return, including a 100-yard touchdown against Rutgers.

Whereas McFarland is the ‘wear the defense down’ type of back, Leake is a perfect change of pace runner that reaps the benefit of the worn down defensive unit.

Though the Indiana defense has been better in each game this season when it comes to the run defense, it is still a concern for a team that rushes the ball close to 60 percent of its plays.

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