Details for Maryland football's Halloween matchup finalized

9 hours ago

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The good news is Maryland football's losing streak is on hold with this upcoming week marking the bye week, but details for the next game have been finalized.

Maryland will host Illinois for a 12 PM ET kickoff on BTN on Saturday, Oct. 31, the conference announced this week. The meeting also marks the first time that Maryland played on Halloween falling to 22nd-ranked North Carolina, 31-24, in 1992. The two teams have also split the four all-time meetings between them, though the Illini have secured wins in each of the last two meetings, including in 2023 when Maryland fell, 27-24, at home in the first game after the bye week.

The meeting will also mark two teams who parted with their defensive coordinators midseason. Head coach Brett Bielema announced a change on defense just four games into the season after allowing 31 points in week two then 42 points against seventh-ranked Ohio State. Maryland, meanwhile, moved on from Ted Monachino after the defense allowed at least 35 points in five consecutive weeks.

Maryland also enters the meeting looking to end a five-game losing streak, in addition to securing its first Big Ten win since Sept. 20, 2025 and first at home since Oct. 19, 2024. The next two games serve as the best chances for head coach Mike Locksley to secure what could be his final win with the program before Maryland closes the regular season with meetings against Wisconsin, 16th-ranked USC and Penn State.

Illinois, meanwhile, is coming out of its bye week sitting 3-3 (1-2) after following up a loss at home vs. Purdue with an overtime win against Michigan State. The Illini are set to host Oregon this upcoming weekend with the Ducks coming off consecutive unimpressive performances.

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