Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1524108
A U G U S T 2 0 2 4 9 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Was anyone happier than Maryland to see the Big Ten scrap the East-West divi- sional alignment that had been in place since the Terrapins joined the conference in 2014? Sure, perennial East Division stragglers Indiana and Rutgers might have been happy, too. But the Terps ap- pear better positioned than those two teams to take immediate advantage of the league's more freeform scheduling model. During the decade in which it was forced to compete in one of the tough- est divisions in college football, Mary- land went 1-17 against Ohio State and Michigan, with its only victory coming against the pre-Harbaugh Wolverines in 2014. Now, with the league's new era underway, the Buckeyes and Wolverines have both been whisked off Maryland's schedule, while the Hoosiers and Scarlet Knights remain. Of course, with a trip to Oregon coming in November, Maryland didn't get off entirely scot-free, but it did put some distance between itself and two of its three most vexing Big Ten rivals. If it's going to capitalize, though, Maryland needs to find a quarterback to succeed Taulia Tagovailoa, the Big Ten's all-time passing leader with 11,256 yards. Will NC State transfer MJ Morris fit the bill? The dual-threat signal-caller ap- peared to be headed for stardom with the Wolfpack, guiding it to three wins in four starts as a sophomore last year before opting to redshirt in order to preserve a season of eligibility. He hit the transfer portal in December, and Maryland was thrilled to bring him to College Park. Morris, who threw for 1,367 yards and 14 touchdowns in nine games at NC State, has joined an offense that boasts its share of skill-position talent. Running backs Roman Hemby and Colby McDon- ald averaged 4.8 and 5.8 yards per carry, respectively. In addition, wideouts Tai Felton and Kaden Prather combined to make 90 catches for 1,389 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those players should shine this fall if Maryland is able to rebuild an offensive line that returns just one starter. The Terps' defense has made strides during Mike Locksley's tenure as head coach. Even with standout linebackers Jaishawn Barham and Fa'Najae Gotay having transferred to Michigan and Au- burn, respectively, Maryland looks solid up front, where four starters return from last year's front seven. Nose tackle Jordan Phillips impressed as a redshirt freshman, starting 10 games after transferring from Tennessee. In addition, linebacker Ru- ben Hyppolite II was second on the team in tackles as a junior with 66. If there's a concern on this side of the ball, it's in the secondary, where senior safety Dante Trader Jr. is the only returning starter. While the Terps caught a break by ducking both Ohio State and Michigan in 2024, they still must contend with their other former East Division nemesis, Penn State. Yes, Maryland has beaten PSU twice since joining the Big Ten, but its losses have frequently been by stag- gering margins. The Lions' seven most recent wins over their border rival have been by a combined score of 313-49. That's an average margin of 37.7 points per game. Locksley's Terps will have a chance to avenge those lopsided losses, but they'll have to wait until late November, and they'll have to do it in State College, where they've won only twice in 26 visits. — Matt Herb N O V . 3 0 | T I M E T B A | T V T B A | B E A V E R S T A D I U M | S T A T E C O L L E G E , P A . Senior safety Dante Trader Jr. finished third on the team with 53 tackles last season while adding 2 interceptions. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL GAME 12 MARYLAND QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Penn State leads 43-3-1 Last Meeting: Penn State scored 27 points in the fourth quarter and surged to a 51-15 vic- tory over the host Terrapins on Nov. 4, 2023 Head Coach: Mike Locksley (29-33 in five full seasons and one partial season at Maryland; career coaching record: 31-59) 2023 Record: 8-5, 4-5 Big Ten Returning Starters: 12 (5 offense, 6 defense, 1 specialist) RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Roman Hemby (680 yards, 4 TD) Passing: QB Billy Edwards Jr. (128 yards, 1 TD) Receiving: WR Tai Felton (723 yards, 6 TD) Tackles: LB Ruben Hyppolite II (66) Sacks: LB Kellan Wyatt (4.5) Interceptions: NB Glendon Miller (4) 2024 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2023 Result Aug. 31 Connecticut — Sept. 7 Michigan State W, 31-9 Sept. 14 at Virginia W, 42-14 Sept. 21 Villanova — Sept. 28 at Indiana W, 44-17 Oct. 12 Northwestern L, 33-27 Oct. 19 USC — Oct. 26 at Minnesota — Nov. 9 at Oregon — Nov. 16 Rutgers W, 42-24 Nov. 23 Iowa — Nov. 30 at Penn State L, 51-15 BEST-CASE SCENARIO Having won three bowl games in the past three seasons, the Terps are poised to con- tinue their upswing and figure to go bowling again, provided quarterback MJ Morris is able to build on the promise he showed at NC State. WORST-CASE SCENARIO If Maryland struggles in the first half of the season, it will have trouble regaining its stride in November when it faces Or- egon, Iowa and Penn State, with the games against the Ducks and Nittany Lions taking place on the road.