Maryland football prepares for awkward homecoming game vs. Rutgers

6 hours ago

2 min read

Maryland football (2-4, 0-3) returns home for its homecoming game against one of the Big Ten's weakest teams, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-4, 0-2).

With the Terps having a chance to get back in the win column after a four-game skid, the program should feel energized.

Why doesn’t it? Well, Maryland has just one Big Ten home win in the last two seasons under head coach Mike Locksley, and the fans have gotten used to disappointment.

In 2024 and 2025, fans started questioning Locksley’s job after two straight seasons of an undefeated non-conference schedule followed by 1-8 in the Big Ten. After another rough start to conference play, the Terps are 2-19 since 2024.

Maryland’s Athletic Director Jim Smith has backed Locksley, and the notion is that he will keep his job through the rest of the season. Locksley has a buyout of over $9 million and has a contract through the end of the 2028 season.

But for many Maryland fans, there’s no reason to get excited about the program under Locksley.

Maryland is just 16-46 in Big Ten games since Locksley took over in 2019. They are just 2-19 in conference play since 2024, in addition to 0-21 against ranked Big Ten opponents since Locksley arrived.

Locksley led Maryland to back-to-back 8-5 seasons in 2022 and 2023 with quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, both ending in bowl wins against Power Four opponents.

Current quarterback Malik Washington entered 2026 with high expectations after being a top freshman quarterback in the nation. Maryland had a chance to add excitement for conference play with a home game against Virginia Tech.

Virginia Tech dismantled Maryland in its first season under former Penn State coach James Franklin. The loss ended its nation-leading 20-game non-conference streak and dealt a major blow to DMV recruiting.

Washington, who was recruited by Locksley, has struggled as the Terps began Big Ten play. He has combined for 460 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions while completing fewer than half his passes.

Maryland is coming off a 45-16 loss to No. 5 Ohio State, and the program's energy couldn’t be more stale.

Now they look toward a lackluster homecoming game that failed to build any buzz. What was supposed to be one of the season's home atmospheres has become a battle between two teams staring down the barrel of lost seasons.

"My focus is on Rutgers for next week. It's not on anything other than that," said Locksley when asked why he deserves more opportunities as head coach. "I'll keep showing up tomorrow -- Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, with a plan to attack the issues that show up."

Maryland lost its homecoming game last season, 55-10, to the eventual National Champions, the Indiana Hoosiers. They are 6-3 in homecoming games under Locksley.

The Terrapins will be favorites against Rutgers for the first time since Week 2, when they beat UConn 38-14. They will kick off on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at SECU Stadium.

"Very winnable game for us at home for homecoming. We got to work our ass off this week," said Locksley. "I look forward to showing up tomorrow, putting this one behind us, and starting our run."

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