Maryland football notebook: new energy, Terp Alley, defensive improvements

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Interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim led Maryland football to its first conference win on Saturday, snapping a dreary 13-game losing streak in Big Ten play. The result didn’t surprise the interim head coach.

“I’m happy to get the win, but I expect a win every week,” Abdul-Rahim said. “If I don’t expect a win, how can I really relay that with passion to our young men? … If we do the right thing, our process is the right process, and we’re disciplined throughout the week, why shouldn’t I feel like I should win every game?”

In his two games leading the Terps since Michael Locksley was fired on Oct. 21, Abdul-Rahim has infused a renewed energy into the program. That much was evident in a 34-29 win over Purdue, which featured the Terps’ most points against a Power Four opponent and one of the defense’s most inspiring showings this season.

One of Abdul-Rahim’s methods of preparing the team for game days has been repeatedly referenced in recent weeks: “Terp Alley.”

Terp Alley

Abdul-Rahim said that “Terp Alley” entails the most competitive segments of practice — and those that most closely simulate games. It also helps the team improve their preparation for situational football.

“It could be for all fourth down, it could be all two-point plays, it could be just third down. All of the things that we need to do better, that you only [could] get a live, intense rep [of] in a game, we wanted to try to emulate that in practice,” Abdul-Rahim said. “If you’re not executing in ‘Terp Alley,’ good luck playing in the game, because we’re treating it like a game.”

Sophomore linebacker Nahsir Taylor said that “Terp Alley” also creates a fever pitch in practice.

“Once you hear the siren, it’s that time. It’s ‘Terp Alley’ time,” Taylor said. “Everybody gets juiced up, everybody is screaming and shouting, and making sure the [offensive] line gets a good look at what an away team can do to us.”

Junior wide receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding pointed to the practice routine as a reason Maryland excelled in the second half against Purdue. Gladding said “Terp Alley,” among other exercises, has sharpened the team’s mental focus.

The Terps had been outscored 113-35 in the second half during their six-game losing streak this season. On Saturday, they rode a second-half explosion, outscoring Purdue 27-17, to a win.

Continued Defensive Improvements

Another strong effort from the Terps defense — especially the pass rush — was a driving force behind the win. Maryland sacked Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne seven times, including a pivotal strip sack by defensive back Lavain Scruggs in the third quarter.

Scruggs blindsided Browne and jarred the ball loose, creating a short field for Maryland’s offense. The Terps capitalized to score touchdowns on consecutive drives.

Zion Elee had perhaps the best game of his young career, totaling 2.5 sacks and four tackles. In film review, Abdul-Rahim chose to showcase a play that could have gone overlooked.

“Probably his most impressive play was not his sack … [On] an explosive play, he’s a defensive end, he ran 50 yards down the field and tackled it,” Abdul-Rahim said. “Those are ‘brotherhood plays.’ He just did an unselfish act.”

The Terps’ defense was far from perfect, though. Maryland committed nine penalties for 105 yards, including five penalties from the defense. Abdul-Rahim said he can tolerate defensive holding and pass interference calls — those come with playing press man coverage. But other penalties are unacceptable.

“The mental errors, the personal fouls, that’s not going to be tolerated,” Abdul-Rahim said. “This is what we’ve harped on since we’ve taken over, from our new season, is essentially being a disciplined player.”

Cornerback Dontay Joyner threw a punch at a Purdue player and was ejected less than two minutes into the game. Messiah Delhomme and DD Holmes were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for a scuffle that started on the Boilermakers’ sideline and spilled onto the field, though those infractions were offset by the same penalty being called on a Purdue player.

“The guys will learn from it, or they can’t help us. And they understand that,” Abdul-Rahim said.

Run Game vs. Wisconsin

Abdul-Rahim left no grey area about what leaves him concerned about the next opponent: the run game.

Wisconsin is averaging over 135 yards per game on the ground, but with freshman Ryan Hopkins stepping in last week, the Badgers averaged 4.2 yards per carry and eclipsed 120 rushing yards en route to a convincing win vs. Rutgers, but they also limited Rutgers' rushing attack. Antwan Raymond amassed just 56 yards on 15 carries, while the Badgers held the Scarlet Knights to 94 yards on the ground. Wisconsin is one of ten Power Four teams to hold opponents to under 100 rushing yards per play in conference play.

That's a test for a Maryland rushing attack that has shown signs of explosiveness with DeJuan Williams in the backfield, who is one of 13 players with multiple 70 yard runs in 2026.

"They are who they are and their culture is that they're going to run the ball and they're going to establish a running mentality," Abdul-Rahim said. "So that is probably more of how we need to set the tone, is the run game. The run game will allow [Ryan Hopkins] for his decision making to be pretty easy. And obviously, they did a good job on the plus side of him taking shots and throwing downfield, and he was successful last week. But we do understand, like Wisconsin football is built on stopping the run and running the football.”

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