Maryland football will look to win a bowl game for a third straight year for the first time in program history against Auburn at the TransPerfect Music City Bowl in Nashville on Dec. 30.
This will be the first time Maryland (7-5) has faced an SEC team in postseason play since defeating Tennessee, 30-3, in the 2002 Peach Bowl, and the current Terps are excited for the chance to play an SEC team. Auburn (6-6) nearly took down Alabama during the final week of the regular season but could not defend fourth-and-goal from the 31-yard line.
“I was playing against NEC teams and MAC teams last year, so for me, playing for a Big Ten team playing different Big Ten and Power Five conferences, I’m excited about it,” said Terps linebacker Donnell Brown, who transferred from St. Francis (Pa.) last offseason.
The bowl game marks the start of the 2024 season, as the two teams will look different from the ones that earned the right to go to Nashville. Both squads will be without some key contributors from the regular season.
The Terps will be without defensive back Tarheeb Still and quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, both of whom opted out of the bowl game. Still has entered his name into the NFL Draft, while Tagovailoa has not publicly announced any future decisions.
Auburn will be without some key players due to NFL Draft opt-outs and the transfer portal. Lineman Marcus Harris and cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James declared for the NFL Draft and opted out of the bowl game. Second-leading receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson, who caught 19 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns this season, hit the portal.
While some players are choosing to end their collegiate careers a game early, some Terps want a chance to win the program’s third straight bowl game.
Defensive back Beau Brade and offensive lineman DJ Glaze both accepted invitations to participate in the Senior Bowl and will likely enter the NFL Draft. The bowl game will represent their final appearance in the Maryland uniform should that be the case.
“I wanted to finish out my season with my guys,” Brade said. “I started out with some of these guys four years ago and want to finish off strong.”
Head coach Michael Locksley said that “about 80 percent of the starters” are practicing in preparation for the Music City Bowl. Still, younger Terps at quarterback, wide receiver, tight end and defensive back will be able to showcase their talents and how they developed in the past year. Billy Edwards Jr. will start at quarterback for Maryland.
“They’re motivated to get out, show what they are capable of,” Locksley said. “We’ve had great modified practices. We’re getting a good idea as a staff what the future looks like.”
Another change for the bowl game will be the use of new technology that NFL teams utilize. Maryland will use sideline tablets and in-helmet communication, like in the NFL, instead of players looking toward the sidelines for signals. The Music City Bowl is one of 14 bowls opting to try out the tech for the first time at the college level.
Maryland will be using both tablets and in-helmet communication, while Auburn will only use the tablets. Locksley plans to have two players on offense, two players on defense and one on special teams with the in-helmet communication feature.
“We like playing fast and this kind of helps us a bit,” Locksley said.
MORE MARYLAND FOOTBALL NEWS:
– Michael Locksley announced last week that the Terps added four players from the transfer portal: Former NC State quarterback MJ Morris, Maryland native and former Bowling Green defensive back Jalen Husky and two offensive linemen.
– Running back Antwain Littleton II, who rushed 69 times for 261 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, entered the transfer portal. That means Colby McDonald will be the No. 2 running back in Nashville.
– Former Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham announced he is transferring to Big Ten rival Michigan. The Terps and Wolverines are not scheduled to play against each other until 2025 in College Park.
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