Maryland football stadium nightmare: Terps fall to Northwestern 37-10
COLLEGE PARK — On a cold Friday night at SECU Stadium, Maryland football suffered another bitter loss in front of 39,371 fans. Maryland Football Stadium—usually full of energy—saw a disappointing performance as the Terps suffered a 37-10 loss to Northwestern, extending their winless streak in the Big Ten.
Despite coming off a bye week, the Terps found themselves trailing 17-0 by the second quarter. A hopeful revival in the second half proved futile, with the team dropping its first three conference games of the season for the first time since 2015.
Conflict continues at Maryland football stadium
The Wildcats, who entered the game at the bottom of several key Big Ten statistics, were able to exploit Maryland's weaknesses. The loss at Maryland Football Stadium marked the 33rd straight game where the Terps failed to recover despite being down 10 points at halftime.
Fifth-year linebacker Ruben Hypolitt II, reflecting on the team's performance, said, "It's disappointing, especially when you've had two weeks to prepare... We played well on defense - enough to win. But losing like this is challenging. "
The outcome of the game further dampens the Terps' prospects for the season. Their next chance to get a win at SECU Stadium will be Oct. 19 against USC.
Turnovers plague the Terps at Maryland Football Stadium
Entering the game ranked second nationally in turnover margin, the Terps couldn't hold onto the ball. A series of key players, including tight end Ricardo Cooper Jr. and tight end Preston Howard, undermined Maryland's offensive efforts. Despite outgaining Northwestern on first downs and time of possession, the Terps' inability to convert these advantages into points was evident.
Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. struggled to find a rhythm, completing 28 of 51 passes for 296 yards without a touchdown, his first game this season without a scoring throw.
The Wildcats dominate Maryland football stadiums
Northwestern took control early, scoring a 9-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. The Wildcats added another score in the second quarter and capitalized on a Terps turnover to build a commanding 17-0 lead. The Maryland football stadium crowd, dressed in black for the team's "blackout" theme, could watch as their team crumbled.
In the second half, Maryland had several chances to close the gap, but missed opportunities—like Kaden Prather's dropped pass on fourth down and a missed 54-yard field goal—dimbled any hopes of a comeback.
Looking forward to SECU Stadium.
The Maryland coaching staff, led by Mike Locksley, remains optimistic despite the loss. "Nobody can be harder on us than we will be on ourselves," Locksley said after the game. "Today we took a step back, but we will turn this frustration into something positive."
Maryland Football Stadium will again host the Terps as they aim to snap their losing streak when they face USC on October 19. The team hopes SECU Stadium will see a much-needed makeover and fans will see the Terps rediscover their form.
SECU Stadium Key Stats:
|
Team |
First Downs |
Total Yards |
Time of Possession |
Turnovers |
|
Maryland |
25 |
395 |
33 minutes |
4 |
|
Northwestern |
9 |
302 |
27 minutes |
0 |
Turnovers plagued Maryland throughout the game, giving up four crucial turnovers. The Wildcats, who came into the game with just six takeaways, caught the Terps' mistakes. Redshirt freshman returner Ricardo Cooper Jr., quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., and tight end Preston Howard each had a fumble, with Edwards also throwing a key interception in the fourth quarter.
While Maryland had possession for over 33 minutes and managed 25 first downs compared to Northwestern's 9, they failed to convert those numbers into points. Edwards threw for 296 yards but completed just 28 of 51 attempts and did not throw a touchdown, marking his first game without one this season.
Maryland football stadium and team outlook
The loss at SECU Stadium extends Maryland's struggle to find consistency at home. The Terps now look forward to their next match against USC, hoping to get their first conference win of the season. Head coach Mike Locksley expressed the need for introspection and improvement, stressing that the team must come together and move forward despite the challenges.
"Today, we took a step back, but we will find a way to turn this disappointment into something positive," Locksley said. The Terps will aim to use this week to correct their mistakes and prepare for the road ahead as they look to regain their place in the Big Ten.
Aggressive Spark of the Northwest
Although Northwestern's offense struggled throughout the season, their performance against Maryland was crucial. Jack Lausch, who led the Wildcats, led two 40-yard pass completions, both of which set up key touchdowns. Running back Cam Porter capitalized on Maryland's defensive lapses and added a touchdown.
Despite playing on short rest, Northwestern's defense held strong, especially in crucial moments. A blindside sack by redshirt junior defensive tackle Carmine Baston and a fumble recovery in the end zone provided a decisive 24-10 lead in the fourth quarter, sealing the Wildcats' victory.
Key Stats: Maryland Vs. Northwestern:
|
Statistic |
Maryland |
Northwestern |
|
First Downs |
25 |
9 |
|
Total
Turnovers |
4 |
0 |
|
Time of
Possession |
33:09 |
26.51 |
|
Passing Yards |
296 |
130 |
|
Rushing Yards |
87 |
146 |
|
Third-Down
Conversions |
5/16 |
5/10 |
|
Sacks Allowed |
3 |
1 |
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