Maryland football’s attempt to secure its first conference win of the season against Northwestern came to an abrupt end early in the fourth quarter. After trailing by seven points, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was sacked unexpectedly, causing him to fumble the ball. Northwestern’s Aidan Hubbard picked up the loose ball and scored, increasing the Wildcats’ lead.
Maryland was unable to score again, ultimately losing to Northwestern 37-10 at SECU Stadium on Friday night. This defeat marks the first time since 2022 that the Terrapins scored 10 points or fewer in a game, following a 30-0 loss to Penn State. Under head coach Michael Locksley, Maryland has now started 0-3 in Big Ten play for the first time since he was hired in 2015.
“This is a tough loss for me to accept,” said Locksley. “Our goal is to build a competitive team that can win championships. Today was a setback that we will use as motivation to improve.”
Despite benefiting from a bye week that allowed players to recover, Maryland (3-3) displayed a lack of cohesion, quickly falling behind by 17-0. Locksley acknowledged the need for personal accountability, saying, “It starts with me to ensure we spark the team.”
Maryland’s opening drive ended in a three-and-out, highlighted by an 11-yard sack. Northwestern (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) capitalized on this, with quarterback Jack Lausch connecting with a wide-open A.J. Henning for a touchdown. Maryland’s struggles continued as another failed drive led to a 43-yard field goal for the Wildcats after a turnover on the next kickoff.
Even Tai Felton, the conference’s leading receiver, faced difficulties, dropping a pass for the first time all season. Maryland did muster a response with a touchdown drive early in the second quarter, capped off by Edwards’ successful quarterback sneak. However, that momentum quickly dissipated when they failed to convert on a crucial fourth-and-3 in the second half and ultimately turned the ball over multiple times.
In a match that seemed winnable, Maryland suffered a disheartening 27-point defeat. “It’s tough and frustrating,” Edwards remarked. “We’re at the midpoint of the season and need to focus on fixing our issues and uniting as a team.”
Three key takeaways from the game are:
1. Northwestern’s passing attack flourished despite being among the worst in the Big Ten prior to the game, accumulating 203 yards and several deep completions against Maryland.
2. Maryland struggled in the turnover department, ending the game with a 4-0 deficit in turnovers, which effectively hindered their chances of success.
3. Locksley took over as the play caller for the first time this season, yet the offense struggled, rushing for only 59 yards and failing to score a touchdown despite Edwards passing for 296 yards.