Maryland football’s defense had no answer for No. 18 Michigan in its last-ditch effort to keep postseason chances alive. 

The Terps did not get a stop throughout, as Michigan’s freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood torched the defense and outperformed Maryland’s Malik Washington.

Maryland’s season continued to spiral as it lost its seventh consecutive game, falling to the Wolverines, 45-20.

For the fourth straight game, the Terps were completely uncompetitive. Maryland’s main issue was previously blowing fourth-quarter leads — but since its second bye week, the Terps have been out of striking distance late in games. 

Saturday was Maryland’s final gasp of air, and its defense has completely fallen apart. The Terps’ defense had the second-most interceptions in the nation coming into Saturday, yet it never led to results. 

“The execution of getting off the field showed up again,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “Our defense played a short field all game long.”

A strong start defensively completely spiraled out of control and gave Michigan’s freshman quarterback more life than he had all season. Underwood threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns — his best performance of the season and the defense had no answer for him on the ground. 

Maryland’s pass rush got to Underwood, but he did a good job of avoiding sacks and rushing for positive gains. Sidney Stewart and Zahir Mathis looked like their early-season form, as they were getting an edge around Michigan’s exterior offensive linemen, but couldn’t fully capitalize. 

Even against Michigan’s third-string running back, Maryland’s rushing defense issues were exposed. Bryson Kuzdzal benefited from missed tackles and exploded for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Maryland consistently missed tackles in open space, but were somewhat effective when getting into the backfield. 

Maryland’s defense surrendered 228 rushing yards on Saturday, yet it was better than its last two games. The Terps allowed 225 or more rushing yards for the fourth consecutive game.

The defense’s downfall was missed opportunities. 

Lavian Scruggs dropped an interception on Michigan’s second drive —- the Terps had a chance to flip the script when the score was tied at seven. With nobody around Scruggs, the ball slipped off his arms and fell to the ground. 

Maryland’s offense didn’t take advantage of its opportunities either. 

After not seeing the end zone for the entire game against Illinois, Maryland took advantage of its first chance. The Terps found the end zone first as Washington found Dorian Fleming for a one-yard touchdown pass. 

Maryland’s initial play calling was gutsy. The coaching staff knew that it needed to try something different against a stronger opponent in Michigan. The Terps orchestrated a flea-flicker without the flicker and expanded the playbook from what it had been all season. 

Then, Locksley made a bold decision. A surprise onside kick failed, giving the Wolverines good field position. The Terps tried more on Saturday than they had all season, having multiple trick plays. 

“We wanted to be aggressive, generate explosive plays,” Locksley said. “But the end result is this, the way you create explosives or momentums, either a player makes a play, or coach designs or schemes or calls things to generate an explosive. We tried to steal a series.”

Malik Washington had some good and some bad. He made some questionable throws that should’ve been intercepted. The throw that was actually intercepted was not his fault, as it went right off the hands of his receiver.

“A Coach’s job is to take players where they can’t take themselves, and that’s my job,” Locksley said. “But I think if you bring those guys up there, they’ll stand in front of you just like I’m owning it and taking accountability.”

Yet, Maryland’s redzone offense was atrocious other than its opening drive. The Terps got sacked twice and were forced to settle for multiple field goals. 

Maryland’s offense line was also worse on Saturday. Coming into the game, Washington hadn’t been sacked more than once in a game — he was sacked three times on Saturday. 

“The O-line has done an amazing job,” Washington said. “They continue an amazing job. I think O kind of got spoiled with being able to stand up right for so long.”

Michigan’s pass rush gave the Terps fits all day, and a former Terp was impactful in doing so. Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham spent his first two collegiate seasons with the Terps. He returned today in Maize and Blue for what would’ve been his senior day. Barham was effective against Maryland’s freshman quarterback with four tackles and a sack. 

Michigan was better-built in the trenches. Maryland had some moments, but once again couldn’t execute on third down. 

With Saturday’s defeat, Maryland clinched its consecutive losing season and effectively eliminated itself from bowl contention. Despite three consecutive bowl wins and now two disappointing seasons, Locksley will return to College Park next season. 

Maryland’s seven-game losing streak is its longest since 2019. 

“I know this team will keep fighting as long as there’s time left, and keep fighting, keep showing up and working,” Locksley said.