The Maryland Terrapins are at 4-4 and have themselves in a situation of needing the upset of the season, or else falling under .500. Yes, the Terps face No. 1 Oregon today, and that will be a tall task for Maryland as they enter as an underdog of over three touchdowns. This has been an up-and-down season with highs like the walk-off win against USC followed by a letdown loss in Minnesota. That has been the story of the whole season of one step forward and one step backwards.
Redshirt junior QB Billy Edwards Jr. is 7-4 as a starter at Maryland across three seasons, with wins over Northwestern, NC State, Auburn, UConn, Virginia, Villanova, and USC. Redshirt junior QB Billy Edwards Jr. currently ranks No. 10 among all FBS quarterbacks and No. 2 in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (289.3). Edwards Jr., who was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 25 on Oct. 7, ranks in the top-10 nationally in completions (214) and in the top-20 in completion percentage (68.4 %).
RB Roman Hemby, as the main back, has to get the ground game going for the Terrapins. He surpassed 2,500 career scrimmage yards and eclipsed the 2,000 rushing yard mark for his college career at Maryland. He is one of just nine active FBS players who have recorded 1000+ scrimmage yards in each of the last two complete seasons.
Maryland’s nine interceptions have come from Glendon Miller (three), Jalen Huskey (three), Dante Trader Jr., Ruben Hyppolite II, and Lavain Scruggs. Those nine interceptions are tied for the 15th-most among FBS teams.
Sophomore LB DJ Samuels made history against Minnesota, becoming one of just five FBS players since 2012 with both a receiving touchdown and three tackles for loss in the same game. Of that group, only one is a power conference player (UCLA’s Datone Jones in 2012).
Maryland returned five starters on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, including All-Big Ten selections in running back Roman Hemby and wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. OL Kyle Long and TE Preston Howard also return. Howard caught his first career touchdown pass in Maryland’s win over Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Last week, Maryland’s defense held UConn to just 88 rushing yards and forced either a punt or turnover on 11 of 15 UConn drives. Seven starters returned for Maryland’s defense, including Third-Team All-Big Ten selection Ruben Hyppolite II and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection Quashon Fuller. Other returners include defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Tommy Akingbesote, linebacker Kellan Wyatt and defensive backs Dante Trader Jr. and Glendon Miller.
“The league has had a number of No. 1 teams in the country. They are a good team in all three phases of the game.”
— head coach Michael Locksley said at Tuesday’s presser
With the Terps’ win against Villanova in their non-conference game earlier this season, it was the 15th-straight non-conference season win. Also that win extended the Terps’ non-conference win streak to 15. Coach Locksley so far is 16-1 in non-conference games.
Maryland had won eight games in back-to-back seasons, and that is a testament to the team’s consistency and improvement, especially given the historical context since their last such achievement was in 2002-03.
Maryland’s record: 4-4 1-4 Big Ten
Oregon’s record: 9-0, 6-0 Big Ten
All-time series:
BetUS Sportsbook : Maryland are underdogs at +23.5, O/U 57.5
Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET
Stadium: Autzen Stadium • Eugene, OR
TV: BTN Network, Play-By-Play: Jeff Levering; Analyst: Jake Butt; Sideline: Brooke Fletcher
Streaming TV: BTN
Radio: Audacy Radio App / SiriusXM 136; 105.7 FM (Balt.) / 980 AM (D.C.) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Steve Suter (analyst), LaMont Jordan (sideline)
