While head coach Michael Locksley believes the 2025 team is not the “same old Maryland”, the product on the field has failed to show that.
For the second straight week, the Terps blew a fourth-quarter lead in a crucial Big Ten measuring stick match-up, losing to Nebraska, 34-31. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Terps, and they let two opportunities slip away.
Here are the takeaways from the game.
Another blown opportunity
For the second straight week, Maryland led as an underdog heading into the fourth quarter. After blowing a 20-point second-half lead last week, the Terps earned another chance to shake off the past demons.
Third quarters have been kind for the Terps this season — and that was the case again on Saturday. The offense opened the second half with its best drive of the game, going seven plays and 81 yards for a touchdown, then followed it up with a Dontay Joyner pick-six on an errant throw to take a touchdown lead.
That was one of three interceptions the defense forced on the day, which led to 17 Maryland points — compared to zero turnovers by the Terps offense. But somehow, it still wasn’t enough to stop Dylan Raiola and Nebraska.
Nebraska’s offense regained its form in the fourth quarter. It used two drives late, leading to a field goal and, ultimately, Raiola’s fourth touchdown pass with 1:08 left to ice the game.
Fingers can be pointed in all directions to determine who is at fault for the loss, but the players believe they ultimately decide the outcome.
“At the end of the day, if we want to win games, it has to be from players,” safety Jalen Huskey said. “We’re on the field. The coaches aren’t out there. So we have to get that together as a team.”
No complementary football
Despite the strong play from true freshman quarterback Malik Washington this season, the defense has been the backbone of the Terps in 2025.
Several defensive players noted their discontent with last week’s collapse against Washington, but the struggles carried over into Nebraska’s matchup. The Terps allowed a season-high 459 yards and 34 points despite forcing three turnovers.
But the Terps’ offense looked the best it has so far in Big Ten play. The run game had life for the first time this season, totaling 130 yards, and a 28-yard touchdown run from running back Nolan Ray — the first 20-plus yard run of the season.
Malik Washington delivered with his arm again as well. The True freshman completed 27 of 37 passes for 249 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers. But the defense collapsed again in the fourth quarter and failed to make timely stops when the team needed them the most.
“We needed to finish with one more drive on offense, get it to third and two, and get a negative play. And on the defense, we needed one more stop, but we couldn’t get off the field, and they made the plays necessary,” Locksley said.
Penalties proved costly
After a brutal loss in last week’s contest against Washington that included an untimely pass interference penalty, Maryland made several mental mistakes again on Saturday and gave Nebraska extra opportunities.
Under Locksley, undisciplined play had been an issue. After a rough opening game regarding penalties, the Terps played disciplined football en route to a 4-1 start.
But against Nebraska, the Terps returned to their old form. They committed eight penalties for 73 yards, including three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and an international grounding call to set them back on the final drive despite a wide-open Octavian Smith Jr. on the other side of the field.
Against an offense like Nebraska, the Terps couldn’t afford to give up free yards, and the Cornhuskers capitalized on their mistakes. Thanks to the grounding, the Cornhuskers scored 34 points, stopped the Terps’ final drive, putting them too far behind the sticks to recover, and failed on fourth down.
“The after-the-play penalties are critical,” Locksley said. “When players play beyond the whistle, they gotta make better decisions.”
