By Austin Kleber
When Maryland’s captains refused to shake hands with Penn State before the coin toss two years ago in Happy Valley, they renewed a rivalry that was dormant for 21 years.
The undefeated Terps (4-0) return to Penn State Saturday to take on the Nittany Lions (3-2). Maryland coaches and players remain unfazed despite the buzz surrounding the game.
“For us, it’s just a Big Ten East matchup,” head coach DJ Durkin said. “Our mentality and our approach is the same every week. We play 12 one-game seasons.”
Penn State leads the series 36-2-1 but since the renewal in 2014, the series is tied 1-1. Even though the teams share a history dating back to 1917, the Terps said it is no different from any other game.
“Everyone tries to put rivalries on everything,” quarterback Perry Hills said. “At the end of the day, which teams do you like that you play against? I don’t like any of them, I dislike them all equally.”
In 2014, Maryland won on the road with a last-minute field goal. Last year, Penn State sealed a 31-30 victory in Baltimore after intercepting a pass from Hills with just seconds remaining.
“Any game we lose is a tough loss, but losing a one-point game was really tough.” defensive lineman Azubuike Ukandu said. “This year is a new year, a clean slate.”
The atmosphere at Penn State will be louder than any other environment the Terps have seen this season.
“I’ve been to Penn State one time, and the environment over there is really good,” defensive coordinator Andy Buh said. “It’ll be loud and cranked up. Our guys will be pumped up to play in that environment.”
Beaver Stadium holds a capacity of over 106,500 fans that will be especially rowdy Saturday for homecoming.
“We like playing in environments like Penn State’s,” Hills said. “It gets you more energized to get out there and say, ‘We’re gonna prove all these people wrong and make them shut up.’”
In order to leave Happy Valley with a victory, Maryland will need to limit Penn State’s sophomore duo of quarterback Trace McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley is sixth in the Big Ten with 380 rushing yards and first in the Big Ten with seven rushing touchdowns.
McSorley leads the Big Ten with 1,284 passing yards, but that doesn’t mean Maryland’s defense can count on him to stay in the pocket. In an overtime win over Minnesota last week, McSorley ran for 73 yards and threw for 335 yards.
“He does a great job of scrambling outside the pocket,” Durkin said. “They run a lot of vertical routes down the field and he’s done a good job of getting the ball to his receivers. They have big play capability on their offense. [Barkley] is as good as you can face.”
Penn State will have to key in on stopping Maryland’s run game, which is a large part of the Terps 15th-ranked scoring offense. The Terps are ranked second in rushing in the Big Ten with 300 yards per game.
Last week, Maryland gained 400 yards on the ground and ran for four touchdowns. Sophomore Ty Johnson was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his 204 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just seven carries.
“If you let us run the ball, then that’s what we’re going to do,” offensive coordinator Walt Bell said. “If somebody wants to put eight or nine guys in there, then we’ll throw the football. We’re the Yogi Berra of offense. We’re going where they aren’t.”
Penn State will host Maryland Saturday, Oct. 8 at 12:00 p.m. EST. Listen live on WMUCSports.net.
