COLLEGE PARK — Lavain Scruggs is making his time at starting safety count.
Scruggs, a Baltimore resident and Spalding graduate, has made back-to-back starts for Maryland football in place of injured senior Dante Trader Jr. and has performed solidly. He made three tackles in a 37-10 loss to Northwestern on Oct. 11 and six tackles and one interception in Saturday’s 29-28 comeback win against Southern California.
“It’s all about preparation,” the 6-foot-2, 207-pound redshirt sophomore said Tuesday afternoon during the Terps’ weekly media availability at SECU Stadium. “I’ve been preparing with my team all week, all year. When a guy goes out, you’ve got to step up and do the job.”
Scruggs’ interception, which he returned 51 yards to the Trojans’ 18-yard line midway through the third quarter, proved crucial. On the next play, redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. found senior wide receiver Tai Felton for an 18-yard touchdown strike that ignited a 22-7 rally in the second half.
Junior inside linebacker Caleb Wheatland characterized Scruggs’ interception as a huge play. Scruggs, in turn, credited defensive coordinator Brian Williams for setting up the defense.
“It was Brian Williams’ call,” Scruggs said. “[It was] a good call he put us in, and it was just me doing my job. The QB was eyeing his receiver down, and the receiver ran the same route the whole game, and I just undercut the route. The ball was in the air, and when the ball is in the air, you’ve got to catch it. It was me doing my job.”
Scruggs’ takeaway was timely, according to coach Mike Locksley.
“Those are the plays that we haven’t had go our way,” he said. “Lavain made a big play. He’s one of those guys that I talk about growing up. He’s growing up, and we needed that play.”
Scruggs has had his moments. In Maryland’s 31-13 demolition of Auburn at the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, he finished with two tackles and his first career interception.
As demonstrative as that showing was, Scruggs said he knew the pecking order with Trader Jr., a McDonogh graduate, and redshirt senior Glendon Miller at the top.
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“I knew I was going to be the third man still because Trader and Glen, they’re amazing and great guys,” he said. “I knew I had to be ready at any time because us safeties, anyone gets banged up. It’s a physical game, and I just knew I had to be ready.”
It remains to be seen whether Trader Jr. can return from his undisclosed injury to start in Saturday’s game at Minnesota at 3:30 p.m. Until then, Scruggs said he will do what he can to fill the void.
“I’ve got to be more vocal with my team, the secondary,” he said. “With him down, I’ve just got to be a more vocal guy, more of a leader, and step up.”
Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.
Maryland at Minnesota
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV: FS1
Radio:105.7 FM
Line: Minnesota by 4 1/2
