With a new coaching staff — DJ Durkin is in his first season — the expectations weren't high for Maryland this season.

Yet, the Terrapins are off to a quick start, going 3-0 in the non-conference with two road wins. An inside look at the Terps with Scott Greene, the managing editor at the Terrapin Sports Report below:

GoldandBlack.com: You can’t really complain about 3-0, are Terps' fans pleased with the team’s start?

Greene: "Yeah. It is a new era with former Michigan defensive coordinator DJ Durkin as the head coach, and you couldn’t really have asked for much more. They won comfortably against FCS opponent Howard, won again with a bit more of a challenge against FIU, and were finally tested against a pretty good UCF team that struggled against Michigan, but looked a lot better in its other games.

"They went to overtime and Maryland pulled out a gutty victory, but I think that’s what they want to see. I think that really sets the tone for the rest of the season. Being honest, this is not the most talented team when you look at it on paper, but it is just a matter of mindset and getting things right going into Big Ten play.

GoldandBlack.com: Is that what Durkin has brought in early into his tenure with the program?

Greene: "Absolutely. When you looked at these guys at the end of last season and even into spring, a lot of them just looked broken. Some of these guys were down, and not feeling good about their play and also about the football program in general. So he has come in and done a complete 180 with the mentality of this team. Everyone knows they have to go out there and compete everyday and in practice. And it shows. Guys have renewed energy, and more than anything it seems like the guys are having fun. For a while there, it seemed like they had just stopped having fun. I think having a winning mentality and the fact that they are having fun has really changed the culture."

GoldandBlack.com: The bye did allow Perry Hills to heal up a bit, and Durkin said he expects the QB to play. Do you expect him to play?

Greene: "Yes, based on everything I have heard, even (from what I saw) on the night of the injury. He’s a tough kid who has played through things in the past, so there was no expectation from me that he wouldn’t play in this game on Saturday."

GoldandBlack.com: Maryland has plenty of running backs for him to hand off to. Are they all dynamic enough to make something happen?

Greene: "It is the one position that has surprised me a bit. You’ve got Virginia Tech graduate transfer Trey Edmunds, who had a great start but then faded in his following years at Virginia Tech. He looks good. Then there’s Ty Johnson, who is more of a change-of-pace guy. Last year, he was more of a third-down back. He’s got good vision, and if makes it to the second level he is gone. Then there is the freshman Lorenzo Harrison from DeMatha (High School) in this area, and coaches raved about him during fall camp. He has been tremendous. He is their leading rusher right now. He’s not a big guy. He’s more a shorter bowling-ball type. He is just shifty and finds ways to get through creases that you didn’t think were there in the first place. This week they will be adding back Wes Brown, a senior who has had a lot of reps. Coaches have raved about him as well despite not being able to play in the first three games. It is possible he could even start over the other guys I have mentioned, so running back is definitely one of the strengths right now."

GoldandBlack.com: What is Maryland going to do defensively?

Greene: "One thing I noticed against UCF is that they’ve had some trouble containing quarterbacks and they’ve run multiple fronts. I’m not sure how they will fare against Purdue, as I know Purdue likes to throw the ball and the quarterback seems to have some escapability as well. I don’t know if they will try to bring some pressure and disguise things a bit, or if they will trust their defensive backs to get the job done. Purdue has had some interception problems this year and they have some guys who might be able to create some turnovers."

GoldandBlack.com: With two starting tackles out for Purdue, does Maryland have the front capable of getting after Purdue?

Greene: "Maryland’s front is definitely a bit undersized. One guy is starting on the interior, Cavon Walker, has played everything from linebacker to end to tackle in his career. He has put on a ton of weight, but is still a bit undersized to be playing his position. Again with other guys like Kingsley Opara, a bit undersized. I don’t know if Maryland has the size in the middle of that front to make a difference, but I think they will find some exotic ways to shift their advantage with their talented safeties and their linebackers."

GoldandBlack.com: Will both QBs play?

Greene: "I always ask the offensive coordinator if they will play in the standard package with 'Piggy' (backup quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome), and he says no even though (Pigrome) always seems to get snaps. Against UCF though, he didn’t get any snaps until the very last one. I tend to think that as long as Hills is healthy, Pigrome won’t get very many snaps. This game is just too important."

GoldandBlack.com: Maryland seems to have some winnable games down the stretch.

Greene: "Yeah and I think (the coaching staff has) circled a handful of games as 'winnable' and Purdue is one of them. I think it is likely Pigrome won’t play unless they have got some trick up their sleeve.

GoldandBlack.com: How are things at safety after starter tear up his knee and he is out. Is there depth there?

Greene: "The safety, (Denzel) Conyers, was very good, and was even leading the DBs in tackles. We got to see some camp and I thought that the guy starting behind him, in Josh Woods, didn’t exhibit much drop off from the starter. Maybe there is some drop off with his backup since that guy behind him is a true freshman, but between Conyers and Woods, I don’t see much difference."

GoldandBlack.com: How good is William Likely III? He can do a lot of different things.

Greene: "As good as he is, it is interesting because they have him playing the slot on the defensive side. They’ve got Alvin Hill and Florida transfer JC Jackson playing on the outside. They’ve tried to give him some freedom to run around and make plays around the slot.

"And, as you know, no teams want to even kick near him on punts. I think he has done so much in the last two seasons that teams are just choosing to stay away from him on special teams."

GoldandBlack.com: What will the crowd be like this weekend?

Greene: "The crowd will definitely be as full as fans have seen it this season. The first two games there weren’t a ton of people. They have sold around 40,000-45,000 tickets so far and the stadium seats a little over 50,000. There may be some empty seats remaining, but the weather can play a part. If it is 70 and sunny there can be some walk-ups. The fact that it is Homecoming and that the team is 3-0, I think the crowd will be into it. Honestly Maryland hasn’t had a lot of those crowds in the last few years."

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