Throughout the 2025 season, Maryland head coach Michael Locksley has referred to his team as a boat with holes, stating that he’s done the best he can to plug them with the players he has, even as more holes keep popping up. Now, that ship appears rudderless and on the verge of sinking.
Maryland had a promising offensive drive early in their recent game against Illinois but ultimately settled for a field goal. Illinois gradually built a lead that became insurmountable, handing Maryland a 24-6 loss. The Terps failed to reach the end zone on three red zone trips. Here are three key takeaways from the game.
### Defense Again Runs Out of Steam
Maryland’s defense, which already struggled with depth, was dealt significant blows before the game. The absence of Trey Reddick and DD Holmes left the team thin, and a host of other injuries during the game only made matters worse.
Despite these challenges, Maryland’s defense looked solid in the first half, bouncing back from consecutive disappointing performances. Only No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Indiana had held Illinois to fewer first-half points this season than the 14 Maryland gave up.
Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer found himself in uncomfortable spots multiple times, going 9-for-16 for just 100 yards in the first half. The only easy pass he had early came on Illinois’ first touchdown, which was aided by a mishandled handoff between Lavain Scruggs and Dontay Joyner. A late interception by Jalen Huskey was a deserved highlight for the Terps’ defense.
However, as the game progressed, Illinois proved too much for Maryland’s defense. On the first defensive drive of the second half, Huskey got caught ballwatching, allowing an easy touchdown on the second instance of secondary miscommunication. From there, the Terps couldn’t get a stop. Four of Illinois’ last five drives (excluding the game-ending one) covered 61 or more yards.
The biggest weakness again was defending the run. Illinois’ thunder-and-lightning ground attack racked up 225 rushing yards, effectively running the clock down and denying Maryland a late chance to mount a comeback.
### Offense Regresses to the Mean
Maryland’s offense had an uncharacteristically strong showing against Rutgers, rushing for 300 yards—more than double their usual output—and relying less on quarterback Malik Washington’s passing, who threw for just 98 yards that game.
Against Illinois, they reverted to their more familiar offensive style. Washington threw for 140 yards in the first half, while the rushing attack faltered, finishing with only 3.1 yards per carry on 18 attempts for a total of 55 yards. These numbers were more in line with what Maryland fans have grown accustomed to this season.
A new challenge emerged as Illinois’ experienced defensive line consistently got hands in passing lanes, deflecting multiple passes intended for Washington. In response, the quarterback became more active in the pocket and made several highlight throws solidifying the offensive effort.
Despite flashes of promise, execution issues haunted the Terps again. A crucial moment came on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter. Maryland had driven all the way from its own one-yard line and had an opportunity to cut the deficit to a one-score game. Instead, Washington missed an open Shaleak Knotts on a crossing route and forced a difficult pass to Dorian Fleming, who couldn’t come down with the loosely spiraled ball.
On the very next drive, Illinois consumed nearly six minutes, culminating in a field goal that extended their lead to three scores.
### Coaches Appear to Have Given Up on Their Team
After Maryland’s loss to Rutgers on November 8, head coach Michael Locksley remarked, “We’re down to playing for pride, and opportunities for these guys to extend.” With three games left in the season and bowl eligibility still mathematically possible—albeit slim—it was surprising to hear the Terps’ leader imply that all Maryland had left was pride.
That sentiment became even clearer during Saturday’s game against Illinois. Once Illinois went up by 18 points, it was apparent Maryland was unlikely to stage a comeback. At that point, all the Terps had to play for was pride.
The moment that encapsulated this mindset came late in the game. Maryland faced a fourth-and-4 on their own 31-yard line with 3:43 remaining. Instead of attempting to convert, the coaches chose to send out Bryce McFerson to punt the ball away—a puzzling decision.
Maryland had been granted a lifeline moments earlier when Illinois head coach Bret Bielema declined a holding penalty on Maryland’s backup offensive lineman Ryan Howerton on third-and-4, giving the Terps a chance to extend the drive. Yet, they punted instead.
With an injured and struggling defense, there was no reasonable expectation that a defensive stop would follow. Nevertheless, Locksley justified the decision, saying, “We’re two scores down, and if we pin ‘em in and we get a short field, we can score quick, kick an onside kick and then get it back. It’s a matter of trying to use the timeouts best.”
Maryland used one timeout shortly after to slow the clock but let the other go unused. The offense had just demonstrated the ability to move the ball downfield, piecing together a 95-yard drive minutes prior. Many coaches would typically trust their offense, especially in a passing situation, over relying on an ailing defense.
The only plausible explanation is the most obvious one: Maryland’s coaches have given up on their players.
With the Terps’ last home game of the season approaching, it will be fascinating to see how much faith Maryland fans still have in their coaches moving forward.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/takeaways-maryland-football-lethargic-24-161151950.html