Inside Slant

The Sports Xchange

November 06, 2018 at 11:22 pm.

Terrapins’ trip to Indiana holds key to postseason

Maryland’s mixed-up season reached a crescendo last week as third-year coach DJ Durkin was reinstated on Tuesday by the state university regents board and then fired on Wednesday by school president Wallace Loh.

It was a metaphor for the Terrapins’ topsy-turvy football campaign, thrown into disarray with the death of sophomore offensive lineman Jordan McNair this summer, and the fallout from the tragedy. By Saturday, with controversy over Durkin’s status having reached fever pitch, Maryland’s improbable postseason hopes took a hit in a 24-3 loss to Michigan State before a disappointing home crowd of 31,735 at Maryland Stadium.

Now the team’s focus turns to a pivotal tilt Saturday in Indiana. The Terrapins (5-4, 3-3) have three more chances to claim a sixth win and bowl eligibility, but the first and best opportunity is this Saturday in Bloomington.

Matt Canada, the interim coach more empowered after the Durkin dilemma was resolved, refuses to talk about things like bowls and games beyond the coming week, but simple math makes this a must-win at Indiana. Following this game, the Terrapins host 8th-ranked Ohio State and then wrap up the regular season at No. 21 Penn State.

Back to that math, Maryland lost to those two teams last year by a combined 128-17 score, and traditionally has not fared well against the Big Ten’s upper crust.

But now this team has something they haven’t had since Durkin’s mandated leave of absence began in August — some stability. Canada, who has done a remarkable job holding things together, is the undisputed coach for the duration of this season.

Last week, following Durkin’s return, three players walked out of practice. On Thursday, a fight broke out involving punter Wade Lees and reserve kicker Matt Barber, incidents hinting at the strife within the program. By Saturday, the Terrapins played, though not well, and that may have had more to do with a Spartan squad that dominated on both sides up front.

“All we can do is take it day by day,” said Canada of his team’s situation.

“I’m hopeful that our kids will come in tomorrow like they have every other day and look at each and know that we wish we’d have won. We’re still there together and we have 20 days left to enjoy being around each other. That’s what football is. You enjoy the season you’re in because every year it changes. Players leave, coaches leave, that’s true on every football program in the country.”

Maryland really hasn’t had the chance to be like other football teams. They’re still mourning the loss of a teammate and a friend, and the uncertainty over the coaching situation has hung over them. Five wins — already more than last year — is a testament to the job Canada and the staff have done.

As offensive coordinator, Canada seems to have run out of some of his early-season magic — Maryland has been held without a touchdown in two of the last three games — lately, but that probably has more to do with quality opposition than anything else. In between the 23-0 loss at Iowa and the 24-3 setback to Sparty, Maryland laid a 63-33 whipping on Illinois.

The true hallmark of this team, though, has been the much-improved defense, coordinator Andy Buh getting a boost with the addition of co-coordinator and D-line coach Jimmy Brumbaugh and veteran safeties coach Chuck Heater. The Terrapins are allowing 79.6 less yards and 12.7 fewer points per game this season under the revamped leadership.

Indiana (4-5, 1-5) is averaging 26.9 points per game, and has shown explosive offensive ability against much of the schedule so far.