From growing up as a Charlotte native and watching the Carolina Panthers to winning a bowl game at the Panthers’ stadium years later, football has come full circle for Maryland redshirt junior left tackle DJ Glaze.
However, this season feels different for Glaze and the Terps. Previously, the idea of competing for a championship was only in the back of players’ minds. They were instructed to take a game-by-game approach to ensure they did not overlook any opponent.
This year, head coach Michael Locksley chose to do things a little differently, placing it at the forefront of his players’ minds.
“The last two bowl seasons, like Coach talked about, are building blocks in comparison to now, where he feels like he can start using that word championship,” Glaze said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 24.
Glaze, whom Locksley named as one of the few players on the Terps’ leadership council, is all-in on this approach, but lists an important aspect of the game the team needs to be better in.
“Really, I would say the discipline piece,” Glaze said. “Last year we won eight games, but we were one of the most penalized teams in college football.”
Last year, Maryland was the most penalized team in the Big Ten. The Terps totaled 101 penalties on the year; the second-closest was Rutgers with 94.
However, in Maryland’s first outing of the year, the Terps followed the game plan Glaze mentioned as vital to their success. They recorded six penalties to Towson’s ten.
On Sept. 9, Maryland took on Charlotte in a rematch from last year. The Terps handily defeated the 49ers, 56-21, last year, but they committed double the number of penalties. However, Sept. 9 was a different story. Maryland (four) had fewer penalties than Charlotte (six).
Glaze believes that is the difference between the Terps making a bowl run and competing for championships.
“Just imagine if we clean up [penalties] and continue to execute at a high level,” Glaze said. “… I think that’s what will separate us from winning eight games versus winning 10, 11, 12 games.”
Charlotte was a familiar matchup for Glaze given that he is a Charlotte native. Similarly, last year’s game against NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl was in Charlotte at the Panthers’ stadium.
This game was a special experience for the whole team, but especially for Glaze.
“I remember going to games [at the Panthers’ stadium] when I was a kid,” Glaze said. “It was definitely fun to get there and get the chance to play in the stadium where I was watching professional games.”
For more from Glaze, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox