The Maryland football team (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) takes on Purdue (3-2, 1-1) on Oct. 8. It is the first time the two teams have faced one another since 2019.
Maryland and Purdue have only met three times beforehand, with the last game being a 40-14 victory for the Boilermakers in West Lafayette, Ind. The Terps lead the series, 2-1.
Maryland is coming off a win against Big Ten rival Michigan State thanks to a dominant second-half defensive performance. Purdue travels to College Park, Md., for its third road game in four contests. The Boilermakers are coming off a 20-10 win against Minnesota.
The Terps will look to build off an all-around team effort and improve to 5-1 for the first time since 2013.
Here are three things to look for in the Big Ten matchup at noon on the Big Ten Network:
1. Can Maryland’s defense contain Purdue’s passing game?
Purdue sixth-year quarterback Aidan O’Connell leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (299.8). He also has thrown eight touchdown passes, tied for fourth in the conference.
“[O’Connell] is a big-time quarterback, he’s a guy I think has a chance to play on Sundays,” Terps head coach Michael Locksley said. “He is really talented, makes you defend the whole field and is able to make every throw.”
Sixth-year wideout Charlie Jones has caught seven of O’Connell’s touchdowns, first in the conference. Jones also leads the conference in receptions per game (9.4) and yards per game (117.6).
“Those are some good players, I must admit,” senior defensive back Isaiah Hazel said. “But at the end of the day we’re not playing against them, we’re playing against ourselves. It’s us versus us every day. … As long as we stay poised and disciplined, we’re going to be fine.”
2. Will Maryland put together another dominant second half?
The Terps gained control of the Michigan State game in the third quarter. Maryland’s defense held the Spartans to 8 total yards in the third quarter. In addition, the Terps held the Spartans scoreless for the entire second half.
Maryland has allowed a total of 34 points in the second half so far this season, the most (14) coming against Michigan.
“I think [defensive coordinator Brian Williams] and the defensive staff have done a really good job after people get out of their openers of being able to hone in and say, ‘Here is what they’re doing,’ and being able to paint the picture and get it up drawn up for our guys on the sideline for them to be able to take the adjustments, including at halftime,” Locksley said.
Maryland also dominated time of possession against the Spartans. The Terps had the ball for 36:16, compared to the Spartans’ 23:44. Maryland will look to continue to convert on third and fourth down to prolong its drives.
“Knowing that if we continue to convert third downs and extend drives, it gives our defense rest because we know when they come in the game they are going to do their job,” redshirt junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa said. “The biggest thing for the offense is we want to at least run eighty-plus plays and with our defense playing like that we’re going to reach our goal.”
“It’s always good when you can get that short-yardage conversion,” redshirt senior offensive lineman Spencer Anderson said. “As an offensive line, we pride ourselves in being the unit that puts the team on our back. When it’s third-and-1, we don’t want to look to the sideline and see a pass play called. We want to have that sense of pride that we can get that yard for the team or however many yards it is.”
3. Which running back will have the hot hand?
Redshirt freshman Antwain Littleton II had the hot hand against Michigan State and finished with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown. Littleton outpaced redshirt tailback Roman Hemby on carries, 19-9.
Purdue has only allowed two rushing touchdowns this season so far, having allowed one against both Penn State and Minnesota.
Littleton will look to score his seventh touchdown this season and score in his seventh consecutive game dating back to last season. Against Michigan State, Littleton matched former Terps running back Lance Ball’s streak of most consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (six, from 2005-2006).
“I already knew Roman was kind of explosive and Colby [McDonald], but I think the biggest surprise was [Littleton],” Anderson said. “When he first got here we all thought that guy was playing defensive lineman but he made the transformation. … We don’t even have to open up the holes, he runs right through them.”
Photo Credits: Courtesy of Purdue Athletics