The conversation in and around the Maryland locker room has turned markedly more optimistic after breaking a three-game losing streak Saturday against Indiana to get “back to neutral,” as coach Mike Locksley put it.
A more difficult challenge — and perhaps the most difficult part of Maryland’s Big Ten Conference schedule — begins this weekend in a rivalry matchup against No. 22 Penn State.
“This is going to be a tough game. We expect it to be tough,” Locksley told reporters at his weekly availability.
“They’ve had their way with us, if you look at the history of it.”
Locksley’s words are an understatement. In a series that is more than a century old, Maryland has only won three times in 44 games against Penn State. One of those wins, however, came last season in a 35-19 win at State College during a season stunted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If there’s a best time for the Terrapins (5-3 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) to get the Nittany Lions (5-3, 2-3), this Saturday afternoon would be it. After earning a top-five ranking with a 5-0 start, Penn State comes in on a three-game losing streak, including the infamous nine-overtime loss at home to Illinois.
And, Maryland avoids a road game in one of the loudest stadiums in college football.
Locksley acknowledged the potential for an influx of Nittany Lions supporters in the stands, however, as the schools are only about three-and-a-half hours driving distance apart. Add in the significant number of Penn State alumni in the greater D.C. area.
‘We’re hopeful that we get our fans in the seats and not their fans,” Locksley said. “I know that their fans will do all they can to be in the ‘Shell’ and support their team, but I’m hoping we can do our part to keep them out of here”
The Nittany Lions are tied with Wisconsin for the nation’s eighth-best scoring defense, allowing only 17.0 points per game.
Even though Penn State’s offense has been inconsistent in recent losses to Illinois and Ohio State, some of which derives from starting quarterback Sean Clifford being banged up this season, the PSU defense, Locksley said, has “contributed to keeping things manageable” with athletic linebackers and a “fast-twitch” front seven.
“The front seven, it starts with them probably trying to establish a way to stop the run,” Locksley said. “Our challenge will be for us to establish the run. We’re working diligently to get that back to where we create a little more balance in our offense.”
There wasn’t much in the way of offensive balance in a 38-35 win over Indiana — of Maryland’s 498 yards, 419 came through the air — and the Terrapins haven’t rushed for more than 100 yards as a team since September. But that doesn’t mean the Terrapins’ backs aren’t involved in the offense, especially senior Tayon Fleet-Davis being a key contributor on passing downs.
“Fleet’s a guy that got a very diverse skill set, in terms of running, receiving, blocking, catching,” Locksley said. “Because of his skillset, it creates an advantage.”
Now at five wins, Locksley said reaching the postseason for the first time in five years is “not something we would talk about before” but “it is now,” as Maryland stands a win from bowl eligibility.
“I think that’s kind of the big picture,” said junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who threw for a career-high 419 yards against Indiana. “Postseason is always good, but looking at our schedule, it’s not going to be easy.”
“We’ve got to put a great week of work together, go out and bring the energy and effort that it takes to play to our standard and hopefully find a way to get a win,” Locksley said.
“It’s here now and it’s here for our taking.”
• George Gerbo can be reached at ggerbo@washingtontimes.com.
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