From now until Nov. 30, Maryland football will only face Big Ten opponents, starting at Indiana on Saturday.
The Terps finished nonconference play with a 3-0 record, defeating UConn, 50-7, and Virginia, 27-13, before taking down Villanova, 38-20, last weekend. Their only loss of the season came in an earlier-than-usual meeting with Michigan State. The Terps lost on a game-winning field goal, but are hoping to even their conference record against the Hoosiers.
Saturday’s game will kickoff at noon and air on Big Ten Network.
Indiana Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)
Head coach Curt Cignetti has turned Indiana’s football program around in his first season, already leading the team to more wins than last year. The Hoosiers finished the 2023 season with a 3-9 record under Tom Allen, who struggled to find success in his final two years in Bloomington, Ind., after successful runs in 2020 and 2021. Cignetti accepted the job at Indiana after five seasons with James Madison, where he accumulated a 52-9 overall record, including an 11-1 record in 2023.
The Hoosiers’ start has impressed many. They beat FIU, Western Illinois, UCLA and Charlotte by an average of 41.3 points, earning them 63 votes in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 rankings, good for an unofficial ranking of No. 27.
Players to watch
Zach Horton, senior tight end, No. 44 — Horton transferred from James Madison this offseason after three years with the program. This season, he has recorded seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown. While his stats may not jump out, Horton is who head coach Michael Locksley is game planning for.
“They’re tight end is the guy that makes them go” Locksley said. “He is the glue for them on offense, and this guy’s really talented in the run game. … As I think of them on offense, that tight end is the heart and soul of it.”
Kurtis Rourke, redshirt senior quarterback, No. 9 — Rourke transferred from Ohio, where he spent five seasons and started in 33 games, this offseason as well. Through his first four games as a Hoosier, Rourke ranks third in the conference in passing yards (1013) and completion percentage (75.5%) and tied for second in passing touchdowns (8), without throwing an interception.
Aiden Fisher, junior linebacker, No. 4 — Fisher also transferred from James Madison in the offseason. Last season, he was a third-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection after posting 108 total tackles (51 solo), six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and eight passes defended. This year, he leads the Big Ten in tackles with 38, while recording 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack as well.
Mikail Kamara, redshirt junior defensive lineman, No. 6 — Kamara is yet another player who transferred from James Madison this offseason. Last season, started in 12 games for the Dukes, logging 52 total tackles (27 solo), 17.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to a second-team all-conference selection. In his first season in the Big Ten, Kamara has maintained this success, posting 10 tackles (six solo), four tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble.
Strength
Offense. Indiana has been one of the most well-rounded offenses in the country to start the season. The Hoosiers rank fifth in the country in points per game with 50.5. They also rank 21st in rushing yards per game (225.5) and 23rd in passing yards per game (288.2), while failing to commit a turnover.
Weakness
Strength of schedule. Looking at their season stats, there is not a single category the Hoosiers struggle at. The only notable weakness at this point in the year is their strength of schedule. The four opponents Indiana has beaten have a combined record of 4-11.
Three things to watch
1. Inclement weather. Bloomington is expected to receive one to two inches of rain on Friday and another half an inch on Saturday, along with 11 MPH winds, according to The Weather Channel. With the conditions of the field in question, both offenses may be forced to adjust.
2. How will Maryland’s secondary perform? The Terps’ secondary has been its biggest weak link this season, allowing the second-most passing yard per game in the conference with 247. Indiana presents the best offense, passing attack and quarterback Maryland has played this season, which could prove to be the difference.
3. A confidence inducing game for Maryland — again? Maryland has yet to play a complete game this season, according to Locksley, a similar spot the Terps were in last year heading into their game against Indiana. Maryland defeated the Hoosiers, 44-17, last year and finally played to the “Maryland standard.” With a less than desirable start to the season, the Terps could change the discourse surrounding them with another dominant win over a hot Indiana team.
