Football

Maryland Football’s Bowl Projections Narrowing Focus with Regular Season Complete

Maryland had already secured bowl eligibility in the 2022 season with a 31-24 win over Northwestern back on October 22, while head coach Mike Locksley saw his team wrap up the regular season on Saturday with a 37-0 win over Rutgers. With a 7-5 season in the books, the updated bowl projections now have Maryland facing a handful of ACC schools and one former Big 12 power.

CBS Sports: Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Oklahoma

The two teams haven’t met since 1967, but there will be some local flavor in this matchup. Sooners receiver Jalil Farooq and left tackle Anton Harrison both hail from the DMV and have been key contributors with Harrison a possible day one selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Oklahoma fell 51-48 against Texas tech on Saturday night, wrapping up a 6-6 season in the first season under head coach Brent Venables.

College Football News: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Pitt

Pitt holds a 3-2 series lead with the last matchup ending in a 47-34 win back in 1992. Pittsburgh ended Miami’s embarrassing season on Saturday night, pulling off a 42-16 win to wrap up an 8-4 season. Former USC transfer Kedon Slovis picked apart the Hurricanes’ secondary en route to three touchdowns on Saturday. Maryland, meanwhile, would have a chance to defend its trophy after last season’s win.

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Bonagura: Duke’s Mayo vs. NC State

The series between the two former regional rivals is deadlocked at 33-33-4 with NC State pulling out a 41-21 win in Raleigh against Randy Edsall back in 2013. NC State wrapped up an 8-4 season after defeating in-state rival and top-25 opponent North Carolina in a 30-27 double-overtime win. With Devin Leary sidelined for the season, Ben Finley tossed a pair of touchdowns while former Maryland commit Jordan Houston has become an integral part of the Wolfpack’s rushing attack. Former Maryland assistant Joker Phillips is also in his second season with the Wolfpack.

Schlabach: Duke’s Mayo vs. Duke

Maryland holds a 31-19 series lead over Duke with the last matchup a 21-16 win in the final season under Ralph Friedgen. In 2022, the Blue Devils defeated Wake Forest 34-31 to wrap up an 8-4 season under first-year head coach Mike Elko. Former Maryland assistant Zohn Burden has also wrapped up his first season in Durham.

After defeating Virginia Tech 54-10 in the Pinstripe Bowl to close the 2021 season, Maryland football is now returning to a second consecutive bowl game for the first time since the 2013/2014 season. With Saturday’s win vs. Rutgers, Maryland clinched a 5-2 record at home this season while matching its program record of four Big Ten wins. With Maryland also clinching its seventh win, head coach Mike Locksley’s contract now triggers a one-year extension through the 2027 season.

“Obviously it was great to have a chance to be around here. As I told anybody that’ll listen, I’m here for the long haul,” Locksley said following the win. “This is where I’ve always wanted to be appreciative of my boss, Damon [Evans] and Colleen [Sorem], that they’ve been able to do the things that keep me around. We’ll continue to try to build this thing. I think anybody that’s watched the trajectory of our program sees the improvement. We’re not there yet as I like to keep saying we’re a few players away, a couple plays away and it’s my job to go get those players and to create those plays so that we can take another step as we build a championship program.”

Jeshaun Jones talks career day, mindset for a possible sixth season

Instant Reactions: Maryland 37, Rutgers 0

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Willard takes accountability, talks balanced scoring in win vs. Coppin State

Julian Reese shines once again as Maryland defeats Coppin State 95-79