Maryland football suffered a tough 44-7 loss to Penn State, summing up a disappointing season where they fell short of bowl eligibility. Despite a strong start with a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Maryland struggled on both offense and defense as Penn State dominated the game. Head coach Mike Locksley expressed disappointment in the team’s performance.
The offense regressed under Locksley’s play-calling, with a decrease in points and yards per game in the latter part of the season. The defense also struggled, particularly against Big Ten opponents, giving up high yards and points per game. Penalties were a significant issue, with numerous presnap infractions and penalties on both sides of the ball.
Looking ahead to next season, Maryland will welcome a new recruiting class and potentially see changes in the coaching staff. Several players may enter the transfer portal, and questions remain about the status of offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and defensive coordinator Brian Williams. Despite the challenges faced this season, players like running back Nolan Ray are optimistic about the team’s potential for improvement.
Overall, Maryland’s disappointing season highlighted areas for growth and improvement in both player performance and coaching strategies. As the team prepares for the offseason and looks ahead to next year, they aim to build on the foundation set this season and come back stronger in the future.
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