Sep 32 min read

Maryland’s Roman Hemby to Challenge Spartans Run Defense

Heading into 2023, Maryland Terrapins (1-0) junior running back Roman Hemby was expected to have a breakout season. Hemby led Maryland in rushing with 989 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022.

However, in 2023 Hemby was hampered by injuries and saw his production slip. He still led the Terps in rushing but dropped to 680 yards and 4 TDs. Hemby also chipped in with 38 catches for 349 yards and 3 TDs in the passing game.

This season Hemby is the veteran voice of the offense. After four seasons of a pass heavy system, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is transitioning to a more balanced attack. Star quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has moved on, signing with the Canadian Football League’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats. So, the focus of Maryland’s offense in 2024 will be Hemby and the run game.

Roman Hemby Maryland Career

In three seasons with the Terps, Hemby has rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 TDs. Currently, the junior is ranked 18th in Maryland history in rushing yards. If Hemby can crack the 1,000-yard mark this year he will move up to at least 4th on that list.

In Maryland’s season-opening win against UConn (0-1), a Terps 50-7 victory, Hemby rushed 14 times for 66 yards and 1 TD. Eight different Terps registered a carry, but Hemby’s 14 led the way. Expect Hemby to get the lion’s share of carries Saturday when the Terps welcome the Michigan State Spartans (1-0) to College Park, Md., for a kickoff at 3:30 p.m EST.

The 6-foot, 208-pound back from Edgewood, Md. models his game after New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara. Hemby is fast, can get to the edge quickly and kicks it into top gear to run away from defenders. Nicknamed The Roman Empire, Hemby is a shifty back with good vision. He is also a weapon in the passing game, especially when he gets out into open space.

While Hemby will receive the bulk of the carries, he will share some time with Nolan Ray. The redshirt freshman finished the opener against UConn with six carries for 60 yards and 1 TD. Hemby and Ray can be one of the top running back duos in the Big Ten.

Against Michigan State, Hemby’s mix of speed and vision will be an asset against the Spartans’ run defense. In head coach Jonathan Smith’s Big Ten Conference debut, the Spartans only yielded 132 rushing yards on 47 attempts to FAU. The Owls averaged a paltry 2.8 yards per carry.

The difference in talent level from FAU to Hemby and Ray will be significant. The Terps will use Hemby to help set up the passing attack with quarterback Billy Edwards, who finished the UConn game with 311 passing yards and 2 TDs. Edwards is a dual threat and can hurt the Spartans’ defense with his legs and arm.

This weekend, Hemby will be the focus of the run game, and he will give the Spartans all they can handle. This will be a tough early-season conference road game for Michigan State. The Spartans may not be equipped to handle the challenge of The Roman Empire.

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for continued reporting on the Maryland Terrapins and the Big Ten Conference this season.