Maryland football’s last game in College Park this month is an intra-state clash Saturday with Towson.
The Terps improved in some aspects from their first game to the second — mainly self-inflicted wounds like penalties — but there’s still plenty of room to improve after their 20-9 win over Northern Illinois, especially on offense, where multiple prematurely stalled drives left points on the board.
Towson, an FCS program, provides Maryland an opportunity to clean up some of those issues. Saturday’s
contest is set to kick off at noon from SECU Stadium and will stream on Peacock.
Towson Tigers (2-0)
2024 record: 7-5, 5-3 Coastal Athletic Association
Head coach Pete Schinnick’s first game leading Towson came on the road against the Terps in their 2023 season opener. They lost that game, 38-6.
Now in his third year at the helm, Schinnick has kept his program in the middle of the Coastal Athletic Association pack with a 14-11 record over his first three seasons. But a win over an FBS program isn’t something Towson has accomplished since well before Schinnick’s tenure began, in 2013 over UConn.
The Tigers have stacked wins over Norfolk State and in-state rival Morgan State so far this year.
Players to know
Andrew Indorf, freshman quarterback, No. 13 — Despite multiple upperclassmen on the roster — including graduate student Nathan Kent, who started against Maryland in 2023 — Towson gave the nod to a 247Sports unranked freshman. Indorf has rewarded Schinnick’s faith in him thus far, posting a 65.3% completion percentage, 186.5 yards per game, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in his first two games.
John Dunmore, graduate wide receiver, No. 0 — Dunmore has been Indorf’s favorite target thus far by a wide margin. He leads the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (128), with two touchdowns to boot. The former Oregon State product needs to step up in a major way if Towson wants any shot at a competitive game.
CJ McClendon, graduate linebacker, No. 4 — Listed as a linebacker, McClendon plays a unique role in the Tigers’ defense. Standing 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, he splits snaps between linebacker and a slot safety and is a playmaker in both roles. He leads the team with 15 tackles (6 solo), adding 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
Aaron Clark, redshirt freshman defensive lineman, No. 99 — Clark’s versatility makes him an issue to scheme for. He sees time in every position along the defensive line and, despite not flashing on the stat sheet, is an anchor of the team’s run defense. He’s racked up nine total tackles (1 solo).
Strength
Run defense. Norfolk State and Morgan State both tried to pound the rock against Towson, and neither found success doing so. The Tigers have held their opponents to 3.5 yards per carry on 69 total carries — a trend Maryland will look to break as it tries to get its backfield going.
Weakness
Run offense. It’s been the opposite story on offense. Towson’s struggles in the run game haven’t been for a lack of trying — 66 attempts as it tries to take pressure off its freshman quarterback — but it’s only resulted in three yards per carry.
Three things to watch
1. Homecoming for Locksley. Head coach Michael Locksley played defensive back at Towson from 1988 to 1991 before working as a defensive backs and special teams coach for the program after graduating. Saturday is Locksley’s second-career contest against his alma mater as a head coach.
2. Can the run game take a step up? Towson represents an opportunity for Maryland’s rushing attack to find a rhythm before Big Ten play starts. Getting that attack to the next level would help take pressure off its young quarterback entering tougher competition.
3. Opportunity to extend FBS-leading streak. The Terps have won 17 consecutive non-conference games, the longest active streak at the FBS level. Towson should be a layup for them to extend that streak into next year, or a potential bowl game.
