Maryland soccer’s hopes of selecting up its first convention win of the 12 months towards Northwestern was squandered early within the fourth quarter.
Trailing by seven, Billy Edwards Jr. dropped again within the pocket and seemed proper, turning his again to the incoming move rush. Northwestern shortly received to the clueless quarterback, who fumbled on the blindside sack. Defensive lineman Aidan Hubbard scooped and scored the free ball, doubling Northwestern’s lead.
Maryland failed to attain for the remainder of the sport, finally falling to Northwestern, 37-10, at SECU Stadium Friday evening. The final time the Terps scored 10 factors or much less was its 30-0 loss to Penn State in 2022.
For the primary time since 2015 and head coach Michael Locksley was employed, Maryland is 0-3 in Huge Ten play.
“Actually robust one for me to abdomen,” Locksley mentioned. “We’re right here to construct this group to compete, to win championships. No one ever mentioned it could be linear. At this time, we took a step again, and we’re going to discover a solution to flip this frustration into one thing constructive and productive.”
Whereas the bye week allowed Maryland (3-3) to get wholesome and a few much-needed relaxation, it additionally left a substantial quantity of rust. The Terps had been clunky to start out the sport, falling to a swift 17-0 deficit.
“It begins with me and ensuring I’m doing the the issues that jump-start us,” Locksley mentioned.
Maryland’s first drive of the sport led to a three-and-out, capped off by an 11-yard sack. But it surely received worse for the Terps.
On Northwestern’s (3-3, 1-2 Huge Ten) ensuing drive, quarterback Jack Lausch discovered a wide-open A.J. Henning, who created greater 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 landing.
After one other failed drive by the Terps, Lausch hit two deep passes to Bryce Kirtz for a mixed 68 yards to arrange a 3-yard landing run from Cam Porter.
Maryland’s offense didn’t have a possibility to reply this time, although, as Ricardo Cooper Jr. fumbled the next kickoff. That led to a 43-yard area objective for the Wildcats.
Even Tai Felton — the Huge Ten’s main receiver — struggled within the first half, dropping his first move of the season. He beforehand had probably the most targets with no drop within the nation, and ended the sport with 9 catches for 77 yards.
Maryland discovered some rhythm in its first drive of the second quarter. After a defensive move interference penalty ultimately zone, the Terps acquired a recent set of downs at Northwestern’s 2-yard line.
It took the Terps all 4 downs, however they lastly punched it in on a Billy Edwards Jr. quarterback sneak. The rating marked Edwards eleventh speeding landing of his profession and eighth from the 1-yard line.
Whereas the drive supplied hope heading into the second half, the Terps had been fast to kill it.
Kaden Prather dropped an important fourth-and-3 move within the first drive of the half. The Terps drove all the way down to Northwestern’s 1-yard line, however three consecutive unfavorable performs pressured them right into a area objective. The inside track-and-score, one other fumble and an interception had been all game-sealers.
In maybe its most-winnable convention sport of the season, Maryland seemed misplaced in a 27-point loss.
“It’s robust. It’s irritating,” Edwards mentioned. “However we’re on the midpoint manner of the season, and we solely actually have one selection however to look inside, to repair some issues, to come back collectively as a group and proceed to push ahead.”
Three issues to know
1. Northwestern killed Maryland with the deep ball. The Wildcats entered Friday’s sport boasting one of many worst passing offenses within the Huge Ten, ranked final in completion proportion (54.9%) and bottom-four in passing yards per sport (175.4) and passing touchdowns (4). In opposition to Maryland, Northwestern posted 203 passing yards and accomplished three passes for at the least 40 yards, and one other for 28 yards.
2. Maryland misplaced the turnover margin badly. Previous to Friday’s sport, the Terps led all energy convention groups with a +11 turnover margin. In opposition to Northwestern, they misplaced the turnover battle, 4-0. Whereas Northwestern didn’t dominate Maryland with its offense — accumulating 283 whole yards — it didn’t must.
“Whether or not it’s the fourth quarter or early within the sport, you don’t win video games if you lose the large play battle or the turnover battle,” Locksley mentioned, “and we misplaced each.”
3. Locksley took over play-calling duties. For the primary time this season, Locksley took over play-calling duties, and the Terps put up certainly one of their worst offensive performances in years. Together with the measly level whole and regarding turnover price, Maryland rushed for simply 59 yards on 1.8 yards per carry, whereas Edwards threw for 296 yards and no touchdowns.
“One in every of my strengths is with the ability to assist the offense,” Locksley mentioned. “I made a decision to take over the play calling at this time. [Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis] assisted me upstairs with the eyes, and that’s the training curve.”