Patrick Stevens The Washington Times - September 2, 2008, 11:41PM

Contrary to popular opinion —- and even what you’ll read in my dead-tree edition story tomorrow —- there are guys at Maryland that play a position other than quarterback.

Obviously, Da’Rel Scott had an electrifying first start, even if offensive coordinator James Franklin thought he could have had 250 yards rather than a mere 197 yards. And freshman Davin Meggett fared well in his debut.

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But as Franklin ran down that situation, he added this:

“Hopefully, Morgan Green coming back will help us, because that will give us three guys.”

Really? Could the sophomore be back from his quadriceps injury on Saturday at Middle Tennessee?

“I do,” Franklin said. “I don’t know how he feels or anybody else, but I expect him.”

Green practiced the last two days, and there’s no question his return could help. Not only would he provide a power rusher, he would also make it a lot less likely that Scott will roll up 26 carries.

Those 26 carries, by the way, tied for the 10th most in a game by a tailback since Ralph Friedgen took over in 2001. Here’s that chart:

Tailback Rush-Yards-TD 
Date Opponent
Lance Ball 39-161-1 11/12/05 
at North Carolina
Josh Allen 38-257-2 11/13/03 vs. Virginia
Keon Lattimore  34-124-1 9/29/07 at Rutgers
Lance Ball 31-109-1 11/10/07 vs. Boston College 
Bruce Perry 31-153-1 9/29/01 vs. West Virginia
Bruce Perry 30-276-2 9/22/01 at Wake Forest
Mario Merrills 30-149-1 9/3/05 vs. Navy
Lance Ball 28-135-1 11/19/05 vs. Boston College
Keon Lattimore 27-112-1 9/22/07 at Wake Forest
Chris Downs 26-213-3 10/17/02 vs. Georgia Tech
Da’Rel Scott 26-197 8/30/08 vs. Delaware

So no Maryland tailback has had more than two 26-carry games in a single season under Friedgen. Assuming Green is healthy and can play reasonably soon, expect it to stay that way.

—- Patrick Stevens