After a two-game homestand, No. 2 Indiana football travels to College Park, Maryland, for its matchup against Maryland on Saturday. The two programs last met Sept. 28, 2024, when the Hoosiers notched a 42-28 victory in Bloomington.
Then-redshirt junior running back Roman Hemby led Maryland in the ground game with 117 rushing yards, including a 75-yard touchdown run against the Hoosiers last season. Meanwhile, Maryland’s then-redshirt junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns.
Since then, Maryland has retooled its program with what Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti called “excellent young talent” during his weekly media availability Monday.
Hemby transferred to Indiana in the offseason, allowing redshirt freshman running back DeJuan Williams to take control of Maryland’s backfield. Williams leads Maryland with 318 rushing yards, while the Terrapins have turned to freshman quarterback Malik Washington as their signal caller.
The Terrapins also possess a new-look defense heading into Saturday’s game. The program hired Ted Monachino as its defensive coordinator during the offseason, leading to schematic changes since last season’s contest.
“I have not gone back and looked at that tape because it's a completely different scheme this year,” Cignetti said.
While the Terrapins own just a 4-3 record, each of their losses have come within one score. Their largest margin of defeat this season was four points against Washington on Oct. 4.
Maryland is led by head coach Mike Locksley, who is in his seventh year at the helm. Locksley guided the program to three consecutive winning seasons from 2021-23, and now looks to turn its 2025 season around with an upset victory over the Hoosiers.
Here’s what to know about the Terrapins:
Malik Washington
Edwards Jr. transferred to Wisconsin in the offseason, paving a clear path for Washington to take over the starting quarterback position. Before arriving in College Park, Washington was a consensus four-star recruit.
Washington became the ninth true freshman quarterback to start a game in Maryland history when he made his collegiate debut against Florida Atlantic University on Aug. 30. Across his seven starts this season, Washington has thrown for 1,716 yards and 11 touchdowns, while ranking fifth in the Big Ten with 160 completions.
Washington has been effective through the air during his freshman campaign, but he is also dynamic with his legs. The Glen Burnie, Maryland, native has added three rushing touchdowns.
“But he's also got the ability to extend plays, avoid the rush, which he's done, and throw it down the field or run, tuck it and run,” Cignetti said. “But, you know, he can make all the throws down the field, and, you know, he's learning as he goes. But he's very impressive.”
Pass protection and pass rush
Maryland’s offensive line ranks among one of the best in the country at protecting its quarterback this season. The unit up front has allowed just three total sacks, which ranks the third fewest in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
However, Indiana’s defensive front presents Maryland’s offensive line with its toughest test yet, as the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten with 29 sacks.
On the other side of the ball, Maryland has found success putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Terrapins rank third in the Big Ten with 22 sacks, as freshman defensive lineman Sidney Stewart has registered a team-leading 5.5 sacks.
Winning this battle up front will be crucial to Indiana’s success Saturday and as the season progresses.
“So, look, no matter who you play, you've got to win the line of scrimmage,” Cignetti said.
Turnover Margin:
The Terrapins have controlled the turnover battle throughout their season so far, forcing 16 total through seven games. Maryland ranks second in the nation with 14 interceptions, while it has thrown just three –– tied for the fewest in the Big Ten.
The dominance of the Terrapins’ secondary and their offense's ability to protect the ball have powered them to a nation-leading +1.57 turnover differential.
Indiana has tossed just four interceptions through its first eight games –– a number the Hoosiers aim to keep low.
“You've got to win the turnover ratio,” Cignetti said Monday. “Turnover ratio equals points.”
Indiana heads into the matchup boasting an undefeated record after a dominant 56-6 victory against UCLA on Oct. 25. The Hoosiers are set to take on the retooled Maryland roster at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised on CBS.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
