Saturday, Maryland football team took the field for the first time since Nov. 7 after having back-to-back games canceled due to COVID-19. A total of 23 players tested positive for coronavirus in the past two weeks.
The Terrapins faced No. 12 Indiana in a pivotal Big Ten Conference clash. Unfortunately due to conference 21-day protocol, Maryland was without a number of those players that included host of starters in the 27-11 loss to the Hoosiers.
While Maryland is not required to release the names of players who were affected, their absences were looming. Lead senior running back Jake Funk and sophomore safety Nick Cross highlighted the large number of players whom were unable to play against the Hoosiers.
Funk’s loss was most evident, as Maryland was held to a mere 59 yards on the ground, including 2.4 yards per carry.
Funk leads Maryland with 331 rushing yards and three total touchdowns, averaging 7.7 yards per carry this season. Not having him in the lineup greatly affected the run game, and offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery’s plans to involve the backfield in the passing game.
Maryland turned to a pair of freshmen running backs, Peny Boone and Isaiah Jacobs, in place of Funk. Boone finished with 35 yards on nine carries. Jacobs had 32 yards on seven rushes.
The Terrapins were also without two key offensive linemen, Johnny Jordan and Marcus Minor. Two of their dynamic trio wide receivers, Jeshaun Jones and stud freshman Rakim Jarrett were out as well.
Maryland was held to 300 yards of offense after averaging 540 yards in their last two games against Minnesota and Penn state.
The defense wasn’t immune to key absences. Maryland was without four of its top-six leading tacklers. Joining Cross as inactive were linebackers Fa’Najae Gotay and Ayinde Eley as well as cornerback Tarheeb Still.
While their defense held Indiana to seven points in the first half, Maryland seemed to run out of juice as the game lingered. The Hoosiers offense scored two touchdowns and field goal to pull away in the second half for the 16-point win.
On Nov. 11, Maryland paused all team activities and canceled their game against Ohio State that was scheduled for Nov. 14 after eight players tested positive for COVID-19. An additional 15 players and eight staff members tested positive for the coronavirus the following week, leading to the cancellation of their Nov. 21 game against Michigan State.
Head coach Mike Locksley was among the second wave of positive tests. He was cleared to coach on the sidelines Saturday against Indiana.
It’s no word if any or all of the effected players will be able to play next Saturday against Michigan.
With the loss Maryland falls to a 2-2 record. Indiana improves to 5-1 on the season with the win.
