Indiana (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) entered Saturday’s game without allowing turnover all season. Maryland’s defense quickly changed that, taking the ball away three times in the first half. 

Yet, the result of that impressive performance from the Terps’ defense was a total of zero points. 

Maryland’s offense failed to capitalize on the defense’s four takeaways, losing to Indiana, 42-28, Saturday afternoon. 

The Terps’ defense forced two turnovers — both interceptions — on the Hoosiers’ first two drives of the game. Jalen Huskey and Glendon Miller were the pair responsible for the interceptions, their third respective takeaways of the season. 

Linebacker Michael Harris forced Indiana’s third turnover of the game, punching the ball out of the arms of Hoosier running back Kaelon Black in the second quarter. Maryland forced a second fumble in the fourth quarter off quarterback Kurtis Rourke.

Each turnover set up Maryland’s offense with good field position, beginning most of its drives near midfield. The Terps offense failed to gain any momentum from the turnovers, as they were unable to earn a first down on each subsequent drive. 

The only drive Maryland scored on in the first half came in the second quarter, after Indiana scored in the opening minute of the quarter. 

Billy Edwards Jr. and the Terps’ offense traveled 81 yards on 11 plays, persevering through three penalties that set them back 35 yards. 

Maryland benefited from a defensive pass interference call that kept its drive alive allowing Edwards to connect with Kaden Prather for a 33 yard touchdown pass on the following play. 

Rourke led the Hoosiers on a scoring drive at the end of the first half, as Indiana marched63 yards in just three plays. 

The Indiana quarterback threw on all three, connecting with receiver Omar Cooper Jr. twice, both for 27 yard gains. Rourke’s second pass to Cooper was a crafty back shoulder throw near the right pylon, giving Indiana a seven-point lead heading into the break. 

“When you look at the ebb and flow of this game, there was times our defense was playing at the way we needed to and we had offense just sputtering … when we finally got offense going to get the score to think we’re going to have a chance to get the second drive … that’s where you steal, you know, that middle eight,” said head coach Michael Locksley.  

Indiana’s offense dominated the Terps’ defense in the second half. 

The Hoosiers scored 28 points in the final two quarters behind the arm — and timely decision-making — of Rourke.

The sixth year quarterback completed nine of his 14 passes in the second half, throwing for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Rourke finished the game with a 67 percent completion percentage and 175.9 passer rating. 

Maryland’s offense showed improvement in the second half, especially in protecting Edwards. The Terps offensive line only allowed a single sack in the second half after giving up four in the first.

The extra protection didn’t result in a flurry of points as the Indiana defense continued to stop the Maryland offense from compiling long, effective drives. The only Terps points were scored on an explosive run from Roman Hemby and an incredible catch from tight end Dylan Wade. 

Wade’s catch came near the middle of the third quarter, as the Terps were operating in the red zone. Edwards evaded the pass rush and threw a bullet into double coverage, causing the ball to be tipped into the air. Wade stuck with the play, tipping it once more to himself before securing the touchdown grab.  

Indiana scored on its next drive thanks to  a 19 yard run up the middle from Wake Forest transfer Justice Ellison.The score restored Indiana’s seven-point advantage, but it lasted just 10 seconds. 

Hemby responded on the first play of Maryland’s drive, running through a gap between the center and right guard, going the length of the field for his third touchdown of the season. The running back’s longest sprint of the season — 75 yards — tied the game.

“The offensive line did a great job on that run, just getting vertical as fast as I can,” said Hemby. “[Prather] came in and dug out the safety so it made my read a little bit easier and I was just able to use my speed.” 

Hemby’s run was one of eight explosive plays the Maryland offense created. But the Hoosiers’ offense created 14 of their own to win the big play battle. 

The Terps offense finished the game with 401 yards of total offense. Edwards accounted for 289 of those yards,  completing 26 of his 41 pass attempts. Hemby led the Terps in rushing with 117 yards on ten carries, while Prather led the team with 66 receiving yards on five catches.

Prather’s activity in the offense was due in part to an injury by Maryland’s leading receiver Tai Felton. 

Felton missed much of the fourth quarter due to injury, with Prather also having to leave the game in the final few minutes. Dante Trader Jr. also missed meaningful minutes due to an injury he suffered in the first quarter. 

“It’s about stepping up man,” said linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II. “Obviously, you know, you hate to see, you know, your guys go down but, you know, things happen so you got to be ready, prepared to step up and make plays.”  

Maryland (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) will have a week off to regroup and get healthy before returning home to face Northwestern in a Friday night matchup on October 11. 

“We’ve got two weeks to sit in this,” said Locksley. “For me, it gives me a chance to kind of recalibrate and look at the first third of the season.”