Story By: Andrew Lang
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Charlottesville, VA–
The Maryland Terrapins at an opportunity to seal away a win against Michigan State and couldn’t kick a field goal or stop the Spartans’ passing game in the 4th quarter for a gut-punch blow. Today is a new day, and Maryland takes their team on the road to Charlottesville, Virginia against the Virginia Cavaliers in a regional rivalry that is getting revived in both football and basketball. With Billy Edwards Jr. at QB1 for the Terps, he needs to get his team back on track today.
The loss against Michigan State was not without controversy as coach Mike Locksley took a lot of the blame on social media from fans who thought he made some coaching mistakes. With a 7-point lead in the 4th quarter and 4:22 on the clock — Maryland was in a 4th and 1 situation and decided to go for the long field goal which they missed and Michigan State quickly scored a touchdown then kicked the game winning field goal with under 10 seconds remaining in the game. Maryland’s Athletic Director, Damon Evans, defended Locksley after loss and said, “We have the right man for the job.”
Last week, Maryland intercepted three passes against the Spartans but gave up seven completions of 20 yards or more. while Glendon Miller had a great day, the issues were with true freshmen Kevyn Humes and Braydon Lee, transfer Jalen Huskey and first-year starter Perry Fisher. They allowed Michigan State’s receivers to get behind them several times during the game with those seven long-gainers.
Redshirt junior QB Billy Edwards Jr. is 4-1 as a starter at Maryland across three seasons, with wins over Northwestern, NC State, Auburn and UConn. Edwards Jr., who graded out as a top-five Power Four QB in Week One per PFF, has accounted for 17 total touchdowns (nine rushing and eight passing) in 17 games as a Terp. Edwards Jr. hit the 1,000-yard passing milestone against Michigan State on Saturday.
Senior defensive back Glendon Miller is one of just two FBS players with three interceptions through the first two games of the 2024 season (California’s Nohl Williams).
Maryland returned five starters on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, including All-Big Ten selections in running back Roman Hemby and wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. OL Kyle Long and TE Preston Howard also return. Howard caught his first career touchdown pass in Maryland’s win over Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Last week, Maryland’s defense held UConn to just 88 rushing yards and forced either a punt or turnover on 11 of 15 UConn drives. Seven starters returned for Maryland’s defense, including Third-Team All-Big Ten selection Ruben Hyppolite II and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection Quashon Fuller. Other returners include defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Tommy Akingbesote, linebacker Kellan Wyatt and defensive backs Dante Trader Jr. and Glendon Miller.
“I think we were the only team in the Big Ten to win the turnover battle and lose the game. The one area where we didn’t excel was the big plays, and I’ve said for years, turnovers and big plays are the two ways you win and lose games.”
“We had opportunities with all three phases to win and take victory. Michigan State took the victory. Their quarterback made plays when he needed to. He made the throws that he needed to make when he needed to make them.”
“Their field goal kicker came through when he needed to, and those are the opportunities that we had that we’ve got to take advantage of.”
— head coach Michael Locksley said on the Johnny Holliday Radio Show
With the Terps’ win last week against UConn in their non-conference game, it was the13th-straight non-conference season opening win. Also, that win extended the Terps’ non-conference win streak to 13. Coach Locksley so far is 15-1 in non-conference games.
Maryland has won eight games in back-to-back seasons, and that is a testament to the team’s consistency and improvement, especially given the historical context since their last such achievement was in 2002-03.
Maryland’s record: 1-1, 0-1 Big Ten
Virginia’s record: 2-0, 1-0 ACC
All-time series: Michigan State up 10-4, and Maryland has won the previous 2 matchups
BetUS Sportsbook : Maryland is a slight underdog at +1.0, O/U 56.5
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept 14, 8:00 PM EDT
Stadium: Scott Stadium
TV: ACC Network, with Play-By-Play: Wes Durham. Analyst: Tom Luginbill, Sideline: Dana Boyle
Streaming TV: ACCN
Radio: Audacy Radio App / SiriusXM 136; 105.7 FM (Balt.) / 980 AM (D.C.) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Steve Suter (analyst), LaMont Jordan (sideline)
