Maryland football returns from its bye week to host Indiana on Nov. 1 at 3:30 p.m.
The Terrapins (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) face a tough challenge on homecoming as the undefeated Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0) come to town.
While Maryland is coming off a week of rest, Indiana enters the matchup riding high after a dominant 56-6 win against UCLA. Maryland lost to UCLA, 20-17, on Oct. 18 before heading into its bye.
Indiana leads the all-time series, 8-5. The teams last met on Sept. 28, 2024, when the Hoosiers defeated the Terrapins, 42-28.
Maryland will aim to snap a three-game losing streak and hand Indiana its first loss of the season. Here are three things to look for:
Roman Hemby returns to College Park.
Indiana running back Roman Hemby will face his former team for the first time. Hemby rushed for 2,347 yards and 22 touchdowns for Maryland from 2021-2024.
Hemby has racked up 513 yards and four touchdowns on the ground for the Hoosiers this season. Fellow running back Kaelon Black isn’t far behind, with 509 yards and three scores.
Their combined efforts have propelled Indiana to second in the nation in total rushing yards (1,844) and rushing yards per game (230.5).
“They have a guy we’re very familiar with — Roman Hemby. … They’ve got two 500-yard rushers and a 300-yard rusher behind them, Maryland head coach Michael Locksley said.
However, Indiana’s quarterback is no slouch.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been stellar for Indiana, leading the nation in passing touchdowns (24) while throwing just three interceptions.
“The quarterback is as advertised,” Locksley said. “He’s one of those guys who throws it very accurately and efficiently. As he goes, they go.”
Mendoza’s top targets, Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., will look to exploit a Maryland defense that has allowed a 100-yard receiver in each of its last two games. Sarratt, a native of Stafford, Va., graduated from Saint Frances in Baltimore and has since had stops at Saint Francis (Pa.), James Madison and Indiana.
“You look at the receiving corps — veteran receivers. Sarratt, a guy from right down the road, went to Saint Francis, transferred to JMU, then followed his coach to Indiana. He’s having a big year along with Cooper,” Locksley added.
Can Maryland handle Indiana’s pass rush?
Maryland’s offensive line has done well protecting quarterback Malik Washington, allowing just three sacks all season — third-fewest in the nation. However, Indiana’s defense ranks second nationally in sacks (29).
“We’ve done a good job so far keeping our quarterback from getting the yips by making sure we block the right people,” Locksley said. “The best thing we can do against those types of guys is run the ball and control the line of scrimmage.”
Three of the Hoosiers’ pass rushers rank in the top 15 in sacks in the Big Ten, showcasing their depth.
“They’re slippery, guys who shed blocks well,” Locksley said. “They create issues by showing all-out pressure but usually bring four. That creates confusion in protection — who’s coming, who’s not — and that’s led to the disruption they’ve caused in the passing game.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics