Maryland football’s 44-7 loss at No. 3 Penn State on Saturday was a microcosm of the season.
Despite being practically eliminated from what would have been a fourth consecutive bowl, the Terps offered a glimmer of hope when senior defensive tackle Tommy Akingbesote stripped junior running back Nick Singleton on the Nittany Lions’ first offensive snap of the game and then pounced on the fumble at the 25-yard line. On the ensuing play, redshirt sophomore quarterback MJ Morris — making his first start of the season for injured redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (right thumb) — connected with senior wide receiver Kaden Prather for a touchdown strike in the back right corner of the end zone for a 7-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.
That would be the last time the offense and defense found success simultaneously. Penn State (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) scored 44 consecutive points and dominated both sides of the ball, and Maryland (4-8, 1-8) was left to sulk and begin reviewing what had gone wrong.
“Disappointing end to a long, long season,” coach Mike Locksley said. “As I’ve stated before, the season didn’t meet the standard that we set out. … It’s disappointing. Disappointed in the way this thing finished.”
Here are some takeaways from a 2024 season in which the Terps limped to their worst record since 2019:
The offense regressed under Locksley
Through the first five games under offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, the Terps averaged 33.4 points and 451.4 yards and didn’t score fewer than 24 points. Under Locksley, those numbers dipped to 16.7 points and 338 yards per game, and the offense reached 24 points only once in a 29-28 comeback win against Southern California on Oct. 19.
Locksley is fond of executing what he calls “explosives,” which describes runs of 10 yards or more and passes of 20 yards or more. In the first five games, the offense averaged 7.4 explosives, but only 4.7 in the last seven.
One argument for Maryland’s early success could be traced to a lower quality of competition with the team mixing UConn, Virginia and Villanova in with Michigan State and No. 9 Indiana. But the offense took a step back in several major categories as did the play of Edwards Jr. and senior wide receiver Tai Felton, which might be an indication that conference opponents had figured out how to contain the Terps.
Asked what gives him cause for optimism for next fall, redshirt freshman running back Nolan Ray replied, “I know the type of team we are. We’re a great team. The record might not reflect it to people on the outside, but here on the inside, we’re putting in the work.”
If Locksley continues to handle play-calling duties, he’s going to have to demonstrate that he can adjust to what Big Ten defenses show.
The defense was a liability throughout Big Ten play
Against nonconference opponents, Maryland gave up an average of 303.7 yards and 13.3 points. League rivals, however, compiled 402.9 yards and 36.1 points per game.
Much has been made about the Terps’ inability to limit the passing attack — because of a young and inexperienced secondary. The unit ranked 17th in the 18-team Big Ten in touchdown passes surrendered (22) and yards allowed per completion (12.1) and 16th in passing yards allowed per game (241.3).
But in the last five games, Maryland gave up an average of 184.4 rushing yards, including 219 to Penn State and 268 to Iowa in a 29-13 loss on Nov. 23. Opponents scored 10 touchdowns on the ground over that same span.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II said the one element the defense lacked was execution.
“Yes, we work hard, and the preparation is there, but it’s all about execution,” he said. “We’ve all got to be in accord with everything. I think that’s where the dropoff is. It’s all a learning experience. Our team is young, but they’re hungry, and they definitely benefitted.”
The Terps might have been so focused on cutting down opponents’ success in the passing game that they left some gaps closer to the line of scrimmage, inviting those offenses to run the ball. It was a disappointing development for a defense that had been stout against the run for much of the season.
An alarming number of penalties are on the players — and the coaches
Maryland finished 16th in the Big Ten in penalty yards per game (58.6) and penalties per game (6.4). The total of 77 penalties for a loss of 703 yards marked the fourth consecutive year the program reached at least 70 infractions and 700 penalty yards.
The defensive secondary was an oft-targeted unit. Those players accounted for 12 pass interference and two defensive holding calls.
The offensive line was another culprit. That unit was cited for 11 holding penalties.
But perhaps the biggest disappointment involved the number of presnap infractions. There were 16 false starts, six offsides, four delays of game, four illegal snaps and one illegal shift.
The fault is absolutely on the players to concentrate and avoid moving until the ball is snapped or positioning themselves in the proper alignment. But a certain amount should also be directed at the coaches for not drilling those details into the players’ heads because penalties have a way of killing offensive possessions or extending opponents’ drives that can lead to points.
Junior outside linebacker Kellan Wyatt predicted he and his teammates will be better next year.
“We had a lot of young guys play this year,” the Glen Burnie resident and Spalding graduate said. “Next year, they won’t be considered young. These guys are learning from their mistakes, and even older guys are learning from their mistakes. As a whole, it will make us better as one next year.”
The offseason should be an active one
On Wednesday, Maryland will welcome signed commitments from a group of high school prospects that is projected as the No. 18 recruiting class in ESPN’s national Top 20 rankings. The influx of talent and fresh legs and perspective will be welcomed.
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Locksley announced that Edwards Jr. plans to return next fall, but could several players currently on the roster depart for greener pastures? Redshirt sophomore quarter Cameron Edge and redshirt sophomore tight end Leron Husbands already announced their intentions of entering the transfer portal when it opens Monday, but could others join them?
And then there’s the coaching staff. Will Gattis continue in his role complementing Locksley or will he seek an offensive coordinator role or another coaching job elsewhere?
Will defensive coordinator Brian Williams remain guiding a unit that is expected to lose five starters? Or will Locksley feel pressure to make a change there and perhaps a few more with his staff?
“What I do know is that having been a part of going through these types of changes that we’ve seen this year, we’ll be better for it because of it,” he said before the regular-season finale at Penn State. “It’s hard to think that now, but I’m looking forward to diving into a season of getting some help in there to help build on the foundation that we have.”
Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun.
