For a second-straight year, Maryland football is playing in December.

Maryland looks to win its second straight bowl game as they battle former ACC-rival No. 23 North Carolina State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“This type of situation where we have an opportunity to play in a great bowl like the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, a lot of credit goes to these players,” Locksley said.

Maryland, finishing 7-5, matched its highest win total since 2014 with a 37-0 demolition of Rutgers in the regular season finale.

Maryland’s opponent, NC State, finished the season 8-4 and completed its regular season with an emphatic win over No. 18 North Carolina in double overtime.

“NC State’s a great team,” Locksley said. “Dave Doeren has done a great job with that program.”

With a solid NC State team standing in their way, the Terps’ task to win back-to-back bowl games became more daunting when key players announced they will forego the game.

Jacob Copeland, Rakim Jarrett and Dontay Demus Jr. are heading to the NFL draft and sitting out the game. 

Additionally, tight end CJ Dippre and linebacker Ahmad McCullough decided to hit the transfer portal and have finished their careers with Maryland.

It was an honor to be here and represent Maryland,” Jarrett said in his final presser. “You don’t have to go to the big-name schools do what you want to do in life.”

For Maryland, it’s up to some of the younger receivers to break through in Charlotte. 

Tai Felton and Octavian Smith Jr. standout as young talent looking to showcase what’s to come i  the future.

Smith Jr. began to breakout last game against Rutgers, amassing a season-high four catches and 79 yards.

“We’re still confident in the guys that we have,” Locksley said. “Some of these guys been working hard all season to prepare for this moment, so it will be exciting to see.”