Maryland falls to Indiana during Homecoming Matchup
The Terps could not repeat the Homecoming magic that saw them beat the University of Southern California last year. The No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers dismantled the Maryland Terrapins 55-10 in front of a sold-out crowd.
Maryland fans began to head for the exits by halftime, a familiar sight to those who frequent SECU Stadium. The Hoosiers led 20-3. Indiana ran over 20 more plays than Maryland in the first half and also outgained the Terps by over 200 yards.
Maryland only produced 86 yards of offense, including two rushing yards in the first half.
“We weren’t helping our defense out by having short drives,” said Maryland quarterback Malik Washington. “We just got to execute, they were making great plays giving us the ball in great field position, we got to come away with touchdowns, not just field goals.”
Maryland gave up a touchdown right after scoring one of their own at the beginning of the second half. The Hoosiers capitalized on Maryland fumbles on back-to-back possessions, taking a 41-10 lead, sealing the victory.
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley took accountability for the team’s poor performance.
“That’s on me, as the head coach, to make sure we’re good enough on gameday,” said Locksley. “We weren’t today.”
Despite an early interception, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza seemed unfazed, finishing the game with 201 yards and a touchdown, adding to his Heisman campaign. The Hoosiers’ run game was dominant, with 369 yards rushed versus Maryland’s 37 yards.
Maryland defensive back Jamare Glasker opened the afternoon with his third interception in the last three games, something that hasn’t been achieved by a Terrapin defender since Will Likely during the 2014 season.
Indiana repeatedly capitalized on Maryland’s mistakes, scoring 24 points just off turnovers. Twenty-eight first downs compared to Maryland’s 11 allowed the Hoosiers to dominate time of possession by more than 20 minutes.
Washington struggled from the opening kickoff. A few plays gave the team some early momentum but repeated mistakes seemed to deflate any chance to take down the second best team in the nation. On the first play of the second quarter, Washington didn’t see the defender, throwing an interception to Indiana’s Kaiden Turner. Washington finished with 242 passing yards, a touchdown, two interceptions and a fumble.
Locksley said the team’s inability to run the ball didn’t help.
“When he’s struggling like that…that’s where we’re going to need to have some answers. Taking pressure off him when he’s not at his best,” said Locksley.
Indiana got their offensive rhythm going early, a 13-play, 93-yard drive, capped off by a sneaky quarterback draw by the Hoosiers’ Mendoza where he walked untouched into the endzone.
Maryland’s offense appeared to get rolling on their next possession after a 21-yard catch and run from Jalil Farooq opened the drive. Another big reception from Kaleb Webb brought the Terps’ to the Hoosiers 28 before a false start penalty backed them up five yards, ending the first quarter.
After Washington’s interception in the second quarter, Indiana kept the ball rolling. Mendoza connected with Charlie Becker on a 52-yard catch-and-run all the way down to the Maryland 11-yard line.
Three runs later, the Terps took a stand, forcing a fourth-and-one, capping off an 8-play, 76-yard drive, that ended with a 20-yard field goal from Indiana’s Nico Radicic.
Maryland took over, moving the sticks immediately with a 15-yard reception from Webb. On first-and-10, Washington ended the Maryland drive with a pass intercepted by Indiana’s Louis Moore while trying to find Webb deep in enemy territory. The Hoosiers took over at their own 16-yard-line.
Indiana got rolling again. A 20-yard rush by Kaelon Black was followed by a tipped pass for a gain of 19-yards, propelling them forward. Two plays later, Mendoza found Cooper Jr. wide open in the end zone from 22-yards out and Indiana went up 17-3 with just under five minutes to play in the second quarter.
With another stop, the Hoosiers were driving again with under three minutes to go in the first half. The drive stalled at the Maryland 28-yard line, setting Radicic up to drill a 46-yard field goal with 40 seconds to play in the first half.
A five yard Maryland drive brought out Punter Bryce McFerson to boot it away at the end of the first half.
The Terps will head on the road to play Rutgers Nov. 8. The Terps haven’t won a game since Sep. 20 and will look to get their second conference win and fifth overall win in New Jersey next Saturday.