A lot has changed since Indiana last visited College Park, Maryland in 2023. Rather than fighting for bowl eligibility, the second-ranked Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) are looking to remain in position for a spot in the Big Ten Championship and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
The Terrapins (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) are coming off of a much-needed bye week. They are on a three-game losing streak, and a big reason why they have tumbled from receiving votes in the AP poll to near the bottom of the conference standings is because of their inability to close out games. Maryland has a +114 point differential in quarters 1-3, but its point differential in the fourth quarter is -37. It has lost its past three games, to Washington, Nebraska and UCLA respectively, by 10 points.
“This is no disrespect to Indiana or what they do,” Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley said Tuesday, “but the biggest opponent we’re going to face is ourselves. When you look at how the last three games have gone, it’s been a lot more us than the opponent.”
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti knows that, despite its recent skid, Maryland poses a threat to the Hoosiers’ unbeaten run. True freshman quarterback Malik Washington has only been sacked twice all season and the Terrapins defense ranks third in the Big Ten with 22 sacks and second in the FBS with eight interceptions.
Because of a targeting penalty in the second half of its game at UCLA, Maryland will be without Pro Football Focus midseason All-American safety Jalen Huskey for the first half of Saturday’s game. Huskey leads the team with three interceptions, is one of the nation’s highest-graded safeties per PFF and the senior’s likely replacement, Messiah Delhomme, is a true freshman.
Washington’s favorite receiving targets are senior wide receivers Octavian Smith and Shaleak Knotts. Locksley said Smith has followed a path similar to current NFL wideout Tai Felton, emerging as a leader on and off the field. Knotts leads the team in receiving yards (421) and touchdown catches (five), bursting onto the scene this season after catching just one touchdown pass in his first 31 career games.
“He’s got the ability to extend plays,” Cignetti said of Washington on Monday. “He can make all the throws down the field and he’s learning as he goes. He’s very impressive.”
Maryland struggles to run the ball, racking up a conference-worst 101.3 rushing yards per game. Both primary tailbacks, Dejuan Williams and Nolan Ray, average under four yards per carry. By comparison, Indiana averages 230.5 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the Big Ten. Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black both average at least 4.5 yards per carry, with Black averaging 6.2 yards per rush.
“They’re doing a lot of good things,” Cignetti said. “They create turnovers. Offensively, they’re protecting the quarterback, protecting the ball, making explosive plays and have a good kicking game.”
Indiana saw two key players leave Saturday’s 56-6 win over UCLA early due to injury. Per Cignetti, starting middle linebacker Aiden Fisher is probable for this weekend’s game in College Park. He was wearing a knee brace while standing on the sideline following his pick-six against the Bruins. Kickoff specialist Brendan Franke, whose 46 touchbacks ranks first among Big Ten kickers, is questionable after a leg injury sustained on the opening kickoff versus UCLA.
Given Cignetti’s ties to James Madison and the DMV, there are many players on both teams for whom Saturday’s game is a homecoming. Among them is Indiana edge rusher Mikail Kamara, whose hometown of Ashburn, Virginia is one hour east of College Park.
After earning first team All-Big Ten and second team All-American honors in 2024, Kamara’s 2025 campaign has been comparatively quiet. He recorded 10 sacks and led the FBS with 73 pressures per PFF in 2024, but his only sack thus far in 2025 came versus Kennesaw State, which was also his only game with more than two tackles.
Cignetti thinks the veteran pass rusher has more in the tank.
“The production numbers speak for themselves,” he said of Kamara. “I think he’s got another level he can play at. I’m waiting to see it.”
Perhaps a return to the DMV will spark a late-season surge from Kamara. If it doesn’t, Indiana can find solace in the fact that it ranks third nationally at 10.9 points allowed per game and is second in the nation with 29 sacks. The Hoosiers have allowed six offensive touchdowns in eight games and only Old Dominion’s offense has found the end zone multiple times in the same game against Bryant Haines’ defense.
“It’s been tough going for opponents against our defense,” Cignetti said. “It’s been that way for a while. That’s what I’m used to seeing.”
Indiana’s Halloweekend game at Maryland is set for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff from SECU Stadium in College Park. It will be broadcast on CBS, the IU Sports Radio Network and WIUX Sports, the latter of which will feature Ian Plaskoff and Nick Rodecap on the call.
