Penalties have been a staple for Maryland football since coach Michael Locksley took over in 2019.
The Terps ranked in the Big Ten’s bottom three in penalty yards allowed per game in each of the past five seasons, leading the league twice. The struggles have continued this year, peaking in Maryland’s eight-penalty, 100-yard outing during its 34-31 loss to Nebraska on Saturday
“It’s something that is drilled into us,” safety Jalen Huskey said. “If you want to win games, it has to be on the players — we’re on the field, the coaches aren’t out there making the penalties.”
Locksley said avoiding penalties is a learning process for players, comparing it to parents teaching their kids. He pushed back on calling his team undisciplined after conceding 100 yards on penalties in the season opener — instead labeling it a “focus issue.”
But the Terps’ 100-yard mark Saturday included three unsportsmanlike conduct infractions within the span of four minutes in the second quarter, making it difficult to ignore discipline issues.
Each violation had no impact on the respective plays.
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Freshman Nahsir Taylor committed the first on a kickoff touchback, when he shoved a player well after the whistle blew. Locksley and defensive coordinator Ted Monachino immediately spoke with him on the sideline.
“Those after-the-play penalties are critical,” Locksley said. “We can’t rely on officials, and we can’t obviously do things that allow us to give things away.”
Maryland proceeded to go three-and-out and committed kick-catch interference on the ensuing punt. The infraction set Nebraska up in opposing territory, leading to a quick touchdown.
The Cornhuskers regained possession soon after. Redshirt sophomore Eyan Thomas drew another unsportsmanlike conduct call when he slammed a Cornhusker while he was already on the ground. During an interception two plays later, graduate student Cam Rice was flagged for decking quarterback Dylan Raiola late near the sideline.
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The Terps trailed at halftime for the first time this season. Still, Maryland committed fewer penalties in the second half — just two.
One proved costly, though. With under a minute remaining in the game and the Terps driving near midfield, freshman quarterback Malik Washington was flagged for intentional grounding while just inside the tackle box.
The Terps were penalized 15 yards on the play and failed to secure another first down. They dropped their second consecutive one-score contest at home, despite winning the turnover battle, 3-0.
Maryland boasts the most interceptions in the Big Ten, but also ranks bottom-three in penalties per game. On Saturday, the issue limited the Terps from building a multiple-possession lead at any point.
Cutting penalties in the final six games could provide Maryland with an edge it hasn’t had under Locksley.
“Penalties happen when players play beyond the whistle,” Locksley said. “[Players] don’t always do exactly what you say when you tell them. But at some point, they’ll learn, and we’ll continue to make the necessary changes.”
