'It's concerning': Penalties racking up quickly again for Maryland

Penalties have been a reoccurring problem for Maryland during the Mike Locksley era, and though the Terrapins tamped them down last season, they are racking up quick again in 2024.

“It's concerning,” Locksley said after a win over Villanova last week that saw Maryland penalized eight times for 89 yards.

In 2021, Maryland committed 87 penalties, followed by a Big Ten-worst 101 in 2022, averaging 6.7 and 7.8 calls a game, respectively, in those seasons.

The Terrapins were the most disciplined under Locksley in 2023, flagged 72 times for a 5.5 per-game average. But they are on pace to eclipse that low-water mark sooner rather than later.

Maryland has reverted to a 7.5 average through only a third of the season, with its 30 penalties ranking third-most in the league behind Washington (37) and Michigan State (36).

For perspective, Big Ten mates Iowa and Wisconsin have only been flagged 11 times each all season, tied for second-fewest nationally. With only conference games remaining starting Saturday with a major road test at 4-0 Indiana, the cleanup needs to happen quick.

“I just think it comes down to us … when you look back at the film, it’s really us beating ourselves,” said Maryland linebacker Caleb Wheatland. “Like getting undisciplined flags and stuff like that.”

Locksley mentioned last season that he would send video of select calls each week to the Big Ten’s officiating coordinator, former NFL referee Bill Carollo, that the Terrapins may have disagreed with.

This season, Locksley’s focus has been more internal in regards to his team’s mistakes.

“We've got to execute stuff, and it's my job to get it executed,” he said.

Two significant flags stood out against Villanova, both defensive personal fouls in the second half that led to points for the Wildcats. In the third quarter, safety Glendon Miller lost his helmet while trying to make a tackle, then got up and rejoined the play without it.

“Part of the rule book a few years ago, if the helmet comes off, you can't continue to play,” Locksley said. “We coach it. We hit situational football.”

On the Wildcats’ next drive, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II drug down Villanova running back David Avit by the horse collar. Both plays advanced the Wildcats inside the Maryland 30 and led to a combined 10 Villanova points.

“The horse-collar tackle is a lack of fundamentals. We do sideline tackle drills — long stride, short stride, close and strike, don't stop your feet. When you stop your feet, you reach and grab,” Locksley said. “And those are coaching. So we're able to see it, we’ve got to get it corrected.”