In recent times, Maryland soccer’s drawback has been a behavior of getting off to sizzling begins by beating the groups it is presupposed to beat, then hitting the second-half funk, dropping a coinflip kind of sport right here and there, then failing to drag out upset wins because the schedule received more durable.
However after a maddening 27-24 residence loss to Michigan State on Saturday at SECU Stadium, the worrisome a part of the season has arrived early and abruptly for a program anticipating a breakout season. The Terps (1-1 total, 0-1 Large Ten), favored by 9 factors in opposition to a rebuilding opponent that struggled to get previous Florida Atlantic at residence final week, could not run the ball or cowl receivers constantly and have been undone by a few cardinal sins within the kicking sport.
The primary got here on the finish of the primary half, when cornerback Jalen Huskey went offsides, negating a kick that Michigan State’s Jonathan Kim had missed. With the additional strive, he nailed it, offering that ultimate three-point margin.
Within the fourth quarter, with a seven-point lead and an opportunity to place a stranglehold on the Spartans, Locksley decided many will query, choosing a discipline objective on fourth and one moderately than making an attempt for a primary down that would result in a knockout blow. Inconsistent kicker Jack Howes missed from 41 yards and on the subsequent play, Maryland gave up one in all many lengthy passes by quarterback Aidan Chiles, who could not get something going final week in opposition to FAU however handed for 363 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to a younger Maryland secondary that may very well be in for an extended 12 months.
“Our objective was to make him beat us throwing the soccer, and guess what? He did,” Locksley mentioned.
For all the eye given to considerations at quarterback and on the offensive line, Maryland’s cornerbacks would possibly’ve been a good greater one heading into the season. The Terps have had three corners drafted prior to now two years, cleansing out all of their confirmed expertise. Bowling Inexperienced switch Huskey was all-MAC at Bowling Inexperienced, however will want time to regulate. He is surrounded by untested younger corners — or, at the least, they have been untested earlier than in the present day.
Additionally a serious concern: their operating sport, or lack thereof Maryland’s offensive line was simply so-so in run-blocking final 12 months, and this 12 months’s revamped model with 5 new starters has not appeared good in that division. They averaged 2.8 yards per carry and their solely run for double-digit yardage was Nolan Ray’s 10-yarder. The offensive line did not create holes, which undoubtedly performed into Locksley choice to kick the sphere objective within the fourth quarter.
“I am rattling’d if I do, rattling’d if I do not,” Locksley mentioned concerning the choice. “The sensible play is to go up two possessions.”
Extra shocking was that their line of defense was additionally pushed round for chunks of the sport, resulting in a bunch of massive Michigan State runs. The Terps have one in all their largest, most skilled defensive fronts in years, nevertheless it did not appear like it for a few of the day Saturday, 493 yards to 339. Receiver Tai Felton (11 catches, 152 yards, 1 landing) was sensible for the second week in a row and may very well be poised for probably the greatest receiving seasons at Maryland shortly. However his yards are coming typically on quick-hitters as a result of they do not have a lot of a deep-ball sport proper now; quarterback Billy Edwards missed on a few would-be touchdowns early and hasn’t related deep a lot within the first two video games.
The system for a breakout season for Maryland has remained the identical. Win the entire ones you are presupposed to win and steal one or two as an underdog. With this meltdown, they’re going to have to drag off an additional one within the latter class to interchange the win most had chalked up for this one. In opposition to Oregon, Penn State or USC, that is a troublesome job.
He is pushed exhausting for extra assist. Some followers have been warming up. However their assist fades simply after many years of disappointment. A loss like this has an outsized impact on how a lot followers c
Extra painful for Locksley: he is aware of the what the followers are saying. They’ve mentioned it one million occasions in response to his pleas for them to assist this system. Too many disappointing losses and never sufficient wins to get enthusiastic about, they are saying. And whereas many doubtless do not perceive how troublesome of a job he has, their stance is comprehensible. Tickets are costly and Saturdays are prized. He is additionally been recruiting nicely, however a half-empty stadium will not assist. So it is kind of a chicken-egg state of affairs; are you able to get the wins with out the highest recruits, or vice versa?
He referred to this final week.
“After we convey a few of these high gamers, I imply, we have now a few of the high gamers within the nation in recruiting, and they should come and see that we have now championship-caliber followers. we have tried to do our half to place the product on the sphere. We received to do our half by profitable some massive video games,” he mentioned. [Fans say], ‘Locks, shut your mouth and win some video games,’ I get it. However it’ll be quite a bit simpler to win some video games and shut my mouth if I can maintain the highest gamers right here as a result of we received followers within the stands early, staying late. Rabid followers that do not care, win, lose or draw, they love their Terps. I do know I really like my Terps and I do know our Terps
Whenever you’re in his scenario, making an attempt to proceed rebuilding a program in one in all faculty soccer’s hardest conferences, and a lot of the followers perpetually have one foot out, you’ll be able to’t afford early-season upsets. You need to get each win you will get o. You do not have to scan Twitter for lengthy tonight to see a dozen posts from followers telling Locksley that for this reason they do not come to video games, and that he ought to zip it about attendance.
Now, a win turns into necessary in subsequent week’s journey to an improved Virginia. A 1-2 begin with losses in two video games most circled as wins can be disastrous, each for this workforce’s prospects and for attendance the remainder of the way in which. It is a must-win.
“It is early within the 12 months, so once more, I am not in right here telling you that the season is misplaced as a result of we took a troublesome loss right here at residence in opposition to a superb workforce,” he mentioned. “However I feel and count on this workforce to reply the precise approach.”
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