Maryland football seeks to snap three-game losing streak vs. No. 2 Indiana

Photo by Mackenzie Miles/Maryland Terrapins. Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.

Historically, Maryland football has done well in homecoming games. 

The Terps are 62-36-4 in those contests and have won four of their last five homecoming games. The one conference game the Terps won last season was also a homecoming game against USC. 

But Maryland rides a three-game losing streak heading into Sunday’s bout, and its schedule does not get easier as it hosts No. 2 Indiana.

All three losses have come in a similar fashion. Maryland (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) leads heading into the final quarter of the game, then collapses on both sides of the ball. The Terps have been outscored 44-7 in their last three fourth quarters — a significant stat considering that all three losses have been by one score. 

“One area that we continue to want to work towards is being able to win in the fourth quarter,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “I know that [if] we continue to do the necessary things, that will give us a chance.”

If Maryland stands a chance against Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten), it’ll have to play mistake-free football. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington struggled against UCLA, completing 23 of 48 passes and throwing for 210 passing yards, a touchdown, and a pick. A bounce-back game from him will be essential. 

The Terps’ run game — an area that they’ve struggled with all season — has started to find some consistency. Maryland ran for 127 yards, averaging 4.9 yards per carry – the team’s highest mark on the season. The run game success was partly due to Washington, who showcased his legs against the Bruins, tallying 67 yards on six attempts. 

A big matchup in this game will take place in the trenches. The Terps’ offensive line has been one of the best in the conference. Washington has only been sacked twice, and Maryland has surrendered the third fewest sacks in the nation. 

But Indiana boasts a formidable pass rush, ranking second-best in the country with 29 sacks. If the Terps’ line can’t hold up against them, it could be a long afternoon for the offense. 

Offensively, the Hoosiers have been borderline unstoppable. Indiana averages close to 500 yards per game behind strong play from junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza and a balanced rushing attack from multiple backs, with former Maryland back Roman Hemby leading the group in ground yards. The Hoosiers have four running backs with over 200 rushing yards — the Terps have one. 

Maryland’s defense against the run has been solid, ranking in the middle of the conference in rushing yards allowed, with an average of 124.3 per game. If Maryland can contain Indiana’s backs and get after Mendoza, it could slow down the Hoosiers. 

“It’s just really about us,” freshman defensive lineman Sidney Stewart said. “They’re the number two team in the nation – they’ve earned that respect and that rank – but to us, we just gotta play football.”