Maryland football collides with Minnesota following big win

There’s a new energy around Maryland football following its 29-28 homecoming comeback win against USC. The Terps could turn that momentum into a streak against Minnesota (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) in Minneapolis on Saturday.

In Mike Locksley’s second week of play calling, the Maryland (4-3, 1-3) offense was much improved. Billy Edwards Jr. is coming off a career-high 373 yards on 39-of-50 passing with three total touchdowns including the game-winning three-yard touchdown run. The senior leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 2,113.

“The win this past Saturday definitely helped the morale of the team but I think we gotta keep that same desperate mentality of ‘we gotta go out there and hunt,’” Edwards said, “We’re on to this week now, trying to flush this past week’s game. Flush it and get after it this week.”

The run game still struggled but found some success in the second half. Nolan Ray had two first-down runs in Trojan territory to spark the offense. Despite this, Maryland averaged 2.3 yards per carry, a slight improvement from the 1.8 against Northwestern.

The Terps are just two wins away from clinching a bowl game but all five of their remaining opponents boast winning records. 

“It couldn’t have happened at a better time for us. A much needed win for our program to give it that shock of confidence to help us get our confidence back,” Locksley said, “I like the way our team has continued to fight.”

The Gophers are coming off their bye and riding a two-game win streak including a win over USC. 

Minnesota matches up well against the Terps on paper. Maryland’s offense focuses on passing and leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (313.3). However, Minnesota allows the lowest passing yards per game in the conference (139.6) and leads in interceptions with 13.

Freshman defensive back Koi Perich has four interceptions including two in the Gophers’ last game against UCLA.

“Their secondary, the two corners… really got good length and kind of reminds me of a Deonte Banks type of skillset,” Locksley said. “Both those guys are really talented man-to-man cover guys and when you watch them, they play man against all the teams.”

Offensively, quarterback Max Brosmer plays clean with the football and rarely throws interceptions. The transfer from New Hampshire has four interceptions this season and has not thrown one since September 28th against Michigan.

Darius Taylor leads the rushing attack with six touchdowns, 4.9 yards per carry and 72 yards per game.

In its 21-17 win against UCLA, Minnesota scored all of its points in the second half. The Gophers were outgained by nearly 100 yards but limiting turnovers led to the win. They forced three turnovers and did not commit any.

“We’re excited for the challenge to go up against some of the best secondary we’ll face all year,” Edwards said.

If Maryland can limit turnovers and find holes in Minnesota’s passing defense, then the Terps have a chance to get a win in a hostile environment.