 "Photo: Adam Fried")
PISCATAWAY N.J. - Last year, Terrapin running backs and roommates Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball prepared a wacky celebration dance in which they squat down and slap each other repeatedly whenever one of the players has a success.
Facing a Rutgers defense that had not allowed a single rusher to amass more than 49 yards all season, few thought the "One-Two Punch" would be performing that dance too often.
But by the end of Saturday's game, when Ball scampered 14 yards into the end zone, effectively sealing a Terps victory, the duo treated their Under Armor Football cleats like dancing shoes, and the visitors' sideline like the main floor of the prom.
There was plenty of reason to celebrate and dance. The Terps had just upset No. 10 Rutgers, thanks to a dominating rushing performance from start to finish.
"We've been doing it since last year," Lattimore said of the dance. "Something we kind of made up: One-Two Punch. To show our closeness and our togetherness. I thrive off of his success, and he thrives off of mine."
Saturday, they both thrived.
After the two split carries for the most part last season, Lattimore had taken the bulk of them this year. His prevalence in games limited Ball's ability to get on the field and produce. Ball made the difference against Rutgers, though.
Playing in his home state of New Jersey, Ball rushed for 90 yards on 12 carries and reached the end zone twice, which meant two more dances with his buddy Keon.
"He had all his family here, all his friends, so I'm happy for him," Lattimore said. "He did what he had to do. That's what the One-Two Punch is all about. We've been telling people all about this."
While Ball did more with less, Lattimore stabilized the offense and gained more than 100 yards for the fourth time in five games. He also added his eighth touchdown of the season.
Lattimore was given the ball play after play, and he responded, picking up chunks of yardage and keeping the Terps' defense off the field. The Terps' defense wore down in the fourth quarter against Wake Forest, but it performed strongly down the stretch in this one, mainly because of the 37-to-23 minute time of possession advantage.
Lattimore's 34 carries were the most he has had since high school.
"I'm a workhorse man, and that's what I live for, that's what I thrive off of," Lattimore said. "I'm a running back, and I live for the moment."
Running with conviction and moving the chains was not only important in order to keep the defense off the field. It was also important in helping young back-up quarterback Chris Turner become acclimated to his first big-time appearance.
"Having a great running game was awesome; it felt great," Turner said. "It took a lot of weight of my shoulders. I really appreciate what those guys did."
While the upset will be remembered by the image of Turner being carried off the field, Lattimore's dirty work and Ball's big rushes are what brought the Terps to triumph.
It is the running game, which coach Ralph Friedgen called the strength of the team, that will have to continue to carry the Terps for the rest of the season.
If the Terps are lucky, they will see plenty more of the Touchdown Tango, Running Back Rumba, Winning Waltz, Lance and Lat Limbo or whatever the "One-Two Punch" wants to call that eccentric dance.
"It doesn't have a name yet," Ball said. "We're just happy to see ourselves successful. Today was a great game, especially important game because it was on national TV, and we want to show the world what the One-Two Punch is all about."
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