Maryland football is facing familiar frustrations as it heads into a crucial matchup against UCLA after suffering close losses in their last two outings. Both games ended with opponents scoring touchdowns in the final minutes, leading to a deeper sense of disappointment for the Terps, who had opportunities to claim victory. Head coach Mike Locksley expressed his team’s frustrations while also emphasizing a sense of optimism about their performance in the first half of the season.
The Terps will have the opportunity to reset their momentum as they travel to the historic Rose Bowl Stadium to face off against UCLA. This marks their first encounter since 1955, a noteworthy matchup where both teams were ranked among the top 10. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. EST and can be viewed on FS1.
UCLA, with a record of 2-4 this season, has shown improvement after a rocky start that included a devastating loss to New Mexico. Under interim coach Tim Skipper, the Bruins pulled off an impressive upset against No. 7 Penn State and continued their resurgence with a strong win over Michigan State. The team, ranked as the seventh-most talented in the Big Ten according to recruiting composites, is hitting its stride at the right moment.
Key players for UCLA include redshirt sophomore quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee and is becoming a significant player for the Bruins. With over 1,100 passing yards and a remarkable ability to rush the football, Iamaleava is pivotal to UCLA’s recent successes. Defensively, redshirt sophomore Rodrick Pleasant stands out as a top cornerback, having allowed minimal success against opposing receivers. Another significant contributor is redshirt senior linebacker JonJon Vaughns, who leads the Big Ten in total tackles.
Despite these strengths, UCLA’s rushing defense has been a vulnerability this season, permitting a concerning average of 5.1 yards per carry. This weakness has been a recurring issue, and Maryland’s ability to exploit this could be key to their success.
As both teams head into this game, they come equipped with similar challenges – both rank among the most penalized in the conference, making discipline vital. Additionally, Maryland will contend with the effects of cross-country travel, which has historically impacted teams competing in the expanded Big Ten.
The fourth quarter will be critical for Maryland, with Locksley emphasizing the importance of finishing strong. As the team takes on UCLA, their performance in the concluding moments of the game could significantly influence the trajectory of their season, potentially turning recent frustrations into opportunities for growth and improvement.