Maryland’s football team faced a disappointing defeat against Northwestern, marking their third loss in Big Ten play this season. Despite the hopes of securing their first conference win, the Terps fell short with a final score of 37-10 at SECU Stadium.
The turning point in the game came early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was sacked from behind, resulting in a fumble that was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Northwestern’s Aidan Hubbard. With this play, Northwestern extended their lead and Maryland struggled to respond, failing to score any points in the remainder of the game.
This loss marks a significant low for Maryland, as it is the first time since head coach Michael Locksley’s tenure began in 2015 that the team has started 0-3 in the Big Ten. “Really tough one for me to stomach,” Locksley commented. “We’re here to build this team to compete, to win championships. Nobody ever said it would be linear. Today, we took a step back, and we’re going to find a way to turn this frustration into something positive and productive.”
The Terps, now with a 3-3 record, experienced a significant lack of momentum following a bye week. They entered the matchup against Northwestern trailing 17-0 after a poorly executed start. Maryland’s first drive ended in a three-and-out, and the ensuing drives were marked by mistakes including a fumbled kickoff.
Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch capitalized on Maryland’s struggles, connecting with A.J. Henning for an easy touchdown pass, and setting up subsequent scores with multiple deep completions. The Terps managed to find the end zone with a quarterback sneak from Edwards but were unable to maintain any consistent offensive rhythm after that.
Several missed opportunities plagued Maryland, including dropped passes and turnovers, contributing to their lackluster performance. They suffered a turnover margin of 4-0 against Northwestern, who despite not having a dominant offensive show, effectively capitalized on Maryland’s mistakes.
Locksley assumed play-calling responsibilities for the first time this season, but the offense struggled significantly, showcasing one of their poorest performances in years. “One of my strengths is being able to help the offense,” Locksley said.
As the team approaches the midpoint of the season, players acknowledge the need for introspection and improvement to turn the season around.