Old Dominion @ Maryland preview

Maryland looks to build on many promising season-opening performances when it hosts the high-octane passing attack of Old Dominion on Saturday. Quarterback C.J. Brown, who threw three touchdown passes and rushed for a pair of scores in the Terrapins’ 43-10 victory over Florida International last week, faces a defense that surrendered 447 passing yards in a loss to East Carolina. FCS All-American quarterback Taylor Heinicke totaled 44 TD passes a year ago and will be challenged by a veteran Maryland secondary.

Old Dominion attempts to extend its streak of scoring at least 30 points to nine games as it transitions to FBS and Conference USA. The Terrapins’ defense, which allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the ACC last year, attempts to slow down the Monarchs. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is the top big-play threat for Maryland, which tries to start 2-0 for the third time in six seasons.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN News. LINE: Maryland -19.

ABOUT OLD DOMINION (0-1): Heinicke won the Walter Payton Award in 2012, the FCS equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, and did not miss a beat while going 38-of-51 for 338 yards and three scores in the 52-38 loss at East Carolina last Saturday. Blair Roberts caught a career-best nine passes, two for touchdowns, but Heinicke likely will spread the ball around in the no-huddle offense. Colby Goodwyn, the program’s second-leading rusher of all time, must contribute if the Monarchs are to keep Maryland off-balance.

ABOUT MARYLAND (1-0): Brown, who missed all of 2012 with a knee injury, completed 20-of-23 passes in his first game back and has plenty of weapons with which to work. The attention on Diggs should open up the field for Deon Long, who caught nine passes for 110 yards last week in his debut after transferring from Iowa Western Community College, and others. Linebacker L.A. Goree has at least tied for the team lead in tackles in four straight contests.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Maryland’s 576 yards of total offense last week was its most since recording 524 against North Carolina in 2005.

2. Heinicke, a junior, has thrown three touchdowns in a game 15 times and passed for 300 yards in 13 contests during his career.

3. Of the 28 sacks the Terrapins registered last season, players who returned to the lineup totaled only 4.5.

PREDICTION: Maryland 48, Old Dominion 24