Maryland football eviscerated by Northwestern, 37-10, remain winless in conference play

Maryland football’s hopes of picking up its first conference win of the year against Northwestern was squandered early in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by seven, Billy Edwards Jr. dropped back in the pocket and looked right, turning his back to the incoming pass rush. Northwestern quickly got to the clueless quarterback, who fumbled on the blindside sack. Defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard scooped and scored the loose ball, doubling Northwestern’s lead.

Maryland failed to score for the rest of the game, eventually falling to Northwestern, 37-10, at SECU Stadium Friday night. The last time the Terps scored 10 points or less was its 30-0 loss to Penn State in 2022.

For the first time since 2015 and head coach Michael Locksley was hired, Maryland is 0-3 in Big Ten play.

“Really tough one for me to stomach,” Locksley said. “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.”

While the bye week allowed Maryland (3-3) to get healthy and some much-needed rest, it also left a considerable amount of rust. The Terps were clunky to start the game, falling to a swift 17-0 deficit.

“It starts with me and making sure I’m doing the the things that jump-start us,” Locksley said.

Maryland’s first drive of the game ended in a three-and-out, capped off by an 11-yard sack. But it got worse for the Terps.

On Northwestern’s (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten) ensuing drive, quarterback Jack Lausch found a wide-open A.J. Henning, who created more than 5 yards of separation from Kevis Thomas. Lausch then used his legs to cap off the drive for the Wildcats, scrambling out of the pocket for a 9-yard touchdown.

After another failed drive by the Terps, Lausch hit two deep passes to Bryce Kirtz for a combined 68 yards to set up a 3-yard touchdown run from Cam Porter.

Maryland’s offense did not have an opportunity to respond this time, though, as Ricardo Cooper Jr. fumbled the following kickoff. That led to a 43-yard field goal for the Wildcats.

Even Tai Felton — the Big Ten’s leading receiver — struggled in the first half, dropping his first pass of the season. He previously had the most targets without a drop in the country, and ended the game with nine catches for 77 yards.

Maryland found some rhythm in its first drive of the second quarter. After a defensive pass interference penalty in the end zone, the Terps received a fresh set of downs at Northwestern’s 2-yard line.

It took the Terps all four downs, but they finally punched it in on a Billy Edwards Jr. quarterback sneak. The score marked Edwards 11th rushing touchdown of his career and eighth from the 1-yard line.

While the drive provided hope heading into the second half, the Terps were quick to kill it.

Kaden Prather dropped a crucial fourth-and-3 pass in the first drive of the half. The Terps drove down to Northwestern’s 1-yard line, but three consecutive negative plays forced them into a field goal. The scoop-and-score, another fumble and an interception were all game-sealers.

In perhaps its most-winnable conference game of the season, Maryland looked out of place in a 27-point loss.

“It’s tough. It’s frustrating,” Edwards said. “But we’re at the midpoint way of the season, and we only really have one choice but to look inside, to fix some things, to come together as a team and continue to push forward.”

Three things to know

1. Northwestern killed Maryland with the deep ball. The Wildcats entered Friday’s game boasting one of the worst passing offenses in the Big Ten, ranked last in completion percentage (54.9%) and bottom-four in passing yards per game (175.4) and passing touchdowns (4). Against Maryland, Northwestern posted 203 passing yards and completed three passes for at least 40 yards, and another for 28 yards.

2. Maryland lost the turnover margin badly. Prior to Friday’s game, the Terps led all power conference teams with a +11 turnover margin. Against Northwestern, they lost the turnover battle, 4-0. While Northwestern did not dominate Maryland with its offense — accumulating 283 total yards — it did not have to.

“Whether it’s the fourth quarter or early in the game, you don’t win games when you lose the big play battle or the turnover battle,” Locksley said, “and we lost both.”

3. Locksley took over play-calling duties. For the first time this season, Locksley took over play-calling duties, and the Terps put up one of their worst offensive performances in years. Along with the measly point total and concerning turnover rate, Maryland rushed for just 59 yards on 1.8 yards per carry, while Edwards threw for 296 yards and no touchdowns.

“One of my strengths is being able to help the offense,” Locksley said. “I decided to take over the play calling today. [Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis] assisted me upstairs with the eyes, and that’s the learning curve.”