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Terps-Football: Maryland Program Faces Consistency Questions After First Major Setback of 2025 Season Byline: BBC Sport, College Park, Maryland The University of Maryland Terrapins football programme is grappling with renewed questions regarding its long-term consistency after suffering its first defeat of the 2025 season over the weekend. The Terps (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) began the year with four consecutive wins, raising expectations for a breakthrough season, only for those hopes to be tempered by a late-game collapse against the Washington Huskies, resurrecting familiar doubts about the team’s ability to sustain elite performance in crucial moments. The 24-20 loss, played at College Park’s SECU Stadium, proved a difficult end to what had been a promising start to the campaign. Maryland established a commanding 20-point advantage early in the third quarter, displaying the kind of offensive explosiveness and defensive solidity that Head Coach Michael Locksley and his staff have sought to cultivate. However, the lead swiftly evaporated as the Huskies engineered a relentless comeback, culminating in a game-winning touchdown run late in the final quarter. The defeat not only ended the Terrapins’ undefeated streak but also underscored a pattern of second-half struggles that have historically plagued the programme, especially when facing high-calibre opponents. The nature of the loss has placed Coach Locksley's tenure under renewed scrutiny. Since taking the helm in 2019, the programme has shown flashes of potential, punctuated by bowl appearances, but has struggled to achieve the sustained success necessary to challenge for conference titles in the newly expanded Big Ten.
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The Terrapins’ inability to execute after periods of rest or in high-pressure situations has been a particular concern; they are now 0-9 following a bye week under Locksley, a statistic that analysts point to as symptomatic of broader consistency issues. In response to past frustrations, the coaching staff implemented significant strategic adjustments this year, most notably hiring new coordinators, including Pep Hamilton on the offensive side and Ted Monachino to lead the defence. Furthermore, the institutional approach appears to have shifted from a long-term "developmental programme" to a more immediate "win now" philosophy, placing additional pressure on the current roster to perform. This change in emphasis reflects the shifting landscape of US college football, where the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules necessitate a shorter window for player development. Speaking following the loss, Locksley acknowledged the weight of the result but stressed the need to focus on the immediate future. "This is the first bit of adversity we’ll face together as a team, dealing with a loss," Locksley said. "I’m looking forward to seeing how these guys respond. For us, we’re going to be defined by what we do this year and what we’re doing with this team.
" The coach also noted that he had re-examined management of the team’s bye week routine, providing players with "prescription cards"—succinct, personalised instructions for areas of elevated focus during the time off, hoping to break the streak of poor performance following a break. Despite the setback, the Terrapins’ defence has demonstrated measurable improvements through the first five games, ranking highly in the Big Ten for points surrendered per game and generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Defensive tackle Dillan Fontus, a junior with clear professional aspirations, noted the positive impact of the new, targeted coaching methods. “The prescription cards were so good, because it’s not going to be something you’re incapable of doing,” Fontus stated. “It’s something that you’ve been doing and now how you can stack on top of it. ” Offensively, the performance of true freshman quarterback Malik Washington remains a key talking point. Washington, a highly touted prospect, has shown poise and talent, leading all true freshmen in passing yards per game in the initial portion of the season. His play is, however, still marked by the typical inconsistency expected of a young signal-caller, highlighted by a high-volume, low-yardage outing in the Washington defeat.
His continued development under Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton will be critical as the team navigates the remainder of the Big Ten schedule. The Terps-football program now enters a critical juncture in the 2025 schedule. The team must quickly regroup to face upcoming conference opponents, including Nebraska and a revitalised Michigan side. With the Big Ten now operating without traditional divisions, the path to a high-ranking finish is less obstructed by perennial giants, but demands greater consistency against the whole conference field. The immediate focus for Locksley and the Terrapins must be on maintaining the strong form shown in the first halves of games and securing a decisive victory to demonstrate that the 4-0 start represented a genuine step forward for the programme, not just another false dawn. The next few weeks will prove crucial in determining whether the 2025 Terrapins have truly broken free from their historical cycle of mid-season disappointment.
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