Maryland football notebook: defensive improvement, lethargy, room to grown

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Coaching changes often spark a shift in energy and effort levels in the first game under new leadership — and that was apparent on Saturday. Maryland football dropped its sixth straight game in a 20-17 loss to Illinois, but there were noticeable improvements across the board.

None were more obvious than the Terps’ defensive showing.

Gradual Improvement by the Defense

Maryland entered its matchup with Illinois allowing 43.8 points per game during its five-game losing streak, with all losses coming to Power Four opponents. Missed tackles and penalties across the defense, from personal fouls on the defensive line to pass interference and holding in the secondary, plagued the Terps. They largely shored up those issues against the Illini.

Maryland committed only one penalty for five yards, and the defense avoided flags entirely.

“[The lack] of penalties was encouraging,” interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim said. “Our techniques, our technique detail, and discipline was much improved.”

Illinois’ 407 yards were the fewest Maryland has allowed since its win over UConn on Sept. 12. Sound tackling that limited the Illini’s run game, particularly in the first half, was a driving force behind one of the Terps’ best defensive outings this season.

Maryland’s play in the third quarter also showed marked improvement. Opponents outscored the Terps 39-6 in the third frame during their five-game losing streak, which often snowballed into lopsided fourth quarters.

On Saturday, Maryland initially remained steady coming out of halftime.

“Just being able to focus on what we need to do each play,” senior linebacker Daniel Wingate said about the Terps’ improved third-quarter play against Illinois. “Not worrying about the scoreboard, not worrying about adversity when it hits. Just having the mindset of how will we respond.”

Late-Game Lethargy

As solid as the defense was through three quarters, Maryland’s late-game woes persisted. Illinois outscored the Terps 10-3 in the final 15 minutes, starting with a 64-yard rushing touchdown reminiscent of Maryland’s lowlights this season. Illini running back Javari Barnett broke several tackles before breaking free and dashing to the end zone.

Illinois also tallied 112 of its 184 rushing yards in the fourth quarter.

“The [64-yard touchdown run] was a misfit, and I really truly didn’t like the effort of the back end not getting down and erasing,” Abdul-Rahim said. “We did a good job the entire day of limiting those big, explosive runs, and unfortunately we waited until the end and we gave up one that we shouldn’t have gave up.”

Offense Leaves Something to Be Desired

Maryland’s offense struggled even more in the fourth quarter. The Terps possessed the ball only twice in the final 15 minutes, gaining 66 yards on 14 plays. Their second drive, which lasted two minutes and 57 seconds and wound the clock down to the 5:45 mark, was particularly costly. The end of the possession gave way to Illinois’ game-winning drive.

On the day, the Terps’ offense was afflicted by familiar issues. The run game failed to pick up steam aside from Maryland’s first touchdown drive, spurred by quarterback Malik Washington’s legs. Washington rushed for 35 yards on three carries, capped by an eight-yard rushing touchdown. The Terps totaled 63 yards on 26 carries — an average of 2.42 yards per attempt — excluding that drive.

Sparking the run game is one of junior center Michael Hershey’s priorities. Alleviating the pressure Washington faces is another.

“I feel like we [the offensive line] can give [Washington] a little bit more time,” Hershey said. “That way, [Washington can] go through his progressions, see who’s open, who’s not, and then if he has to scramble, there’s a lane for him to scramble … we definitely put a little bit more pressure on him than we have in past years, especially last year.”

While Washington faces pressure from opposing pass rushers, he’s also been tasked with managing the pressure of carrying the offense. Abdul-Rahim is trying to change that.

“This is a conversation that I had with him on the field, as well as yesterday: Malik cannot assume he has to win a football game,” Abdul-Rahim said. “Malik needs to be a distributor in the offense … he doesn’t have to make the miraculous throw. He doesn’t have to put the whole team on his back.”

The Terps’ defense made several improvements in its first game under Abdul-Rahim. Now the next step is for the offense to find balance.

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