Maryland
Maryland football vs. Virginia preview
Maryland football hits the road for the first time this season, traveling just 130 miles south to take on old ACC foe Virginia on Saturday night.
Saturday’s game will mark the 80th meeting between the two programs, with Maryland holding a 45-32-2 all-time record. It also won last year’s matchup, 42-14.
However, the Terps enter the contest hoping to bounce back from a devastating 27-24 loss to Michigan State, while Virginia is fresh off a tight 31-30 win over Wake Forest.
Saturday’s game will begin at 8 p.m. and air on ACC Network.
Virginia Cavaliers (2-0, 1-0 ACC)
2023 record: 3-9 (2-6 ACC)
Head coach Tony Elliott is in the midst of his third season with the program after spending 11 years as an assistant coach at Clemson. After consecutive three-win seasons, the Hoos are off to their best start under Elliott. They defeated Richmond, 34-13, prior to their win over Wake Forest, in which it trailed by 13 heading into the fourth quarter.
With continuity throughout the roster and coaching staff, Virginia could surprise people this year.
Players to know
Anthony Colandrea, sophomore quarterback, No. 10 — Colandrea took over Virginia’s quarterbacking duties as a freshman last year and showed why he deserved it. In his debut game against James Madison, he completed 20-of-26 pass attempts for 377 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
This season, Colandrea has been just as sharp, posting a 75.8% completion percentage, 654 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Malachi Fields, senior wide receiver, No. 8 — Fields has been Colandrea’s go-to target this season. He leads the team in catches with 16 and the conference in receiving yards with 248. While he has not scored a touchdown this season, he caught five touchdowns last year and is an end-zone threat. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, the Terps may need to guard him with multiple defenders.
Antonio Clay, graduate safety, No. 0 — Clay is one of the Hoos’ defensive leaders. After missing the entire 2023 season due to injury, Clay has returned better than ever, leading the team in tackles with 19. He has also recorded 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
Jonas Sanker, senior safety, No. 20 — Sanker arguably has been Virginia’s best defensive player over the last two seasons. In 2022, he finished second on the team in total tackles (63), and in 2023, he led the team in total tackles (107), pass breakups (11) and forced fumbles (3) en route to a first-team All-ACC selection.
This season, Sanker ranks second on the team in total tackles with 18, but ranks first in tackles for loss with 2.5.
Strength
Passing offense. Colandrea and the passing offense is without a doubt the primary strength of this team. Virginia ranks sixth in the conference in passing yards per game (327) and passing touchdowns (5) and tied for fourth in completion percentage (72.5%). However, the Hoos do lead the conference in interceptions with three.
Weakness
Passing defense. Virginia ranks near the middle of the ACC in almost every statistical category, but it ranks in the bottom three in passing yards allowed per game (256.5). The Hoos have also allowed a 61.5% opponent completion percentage and failed to record an interception, but they have only surrendered one passing touchdown.
Three things to watch
1. Will Maryland revert back to a two-quarterback system? In Maryland’s season opener, MJ Morris replaced Billy Edwards Jr. under center for a drive in the second and third quarters. Head coach Michael Locksley said this was part of the game plan and that he will continue to utilize Morris’ skill set. But with Morris sidelined with an injury against Michigan State, it remains unseen if Locksley will continue to use him.
2. Can the Terps stop Colandrea? Against Michigan State, Maryland’s defense allowed Aidan Chiles to throw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, despite throwing for just 114 yards and no touchdowns against Florida Atlantic the week prior. Colandrea has played well this season and could take advantage of a struggling Terps’ secondary.
3. A repeat of last year? Last season, Maryland dismantled Virginia, but the Hoos put up a valiant effort despite the final score. Virginia jumped out to a 14-0 lead and kept things close until the fourth quarter, when Maryland scored three unanswered touchdowns. With Virginia off to a hot start and the Terps struggling, a win may not come as easily for Maryland this year, especially with Virginia holding home-field advantage.
Maryland
April McClain-Delaney locked in tight race for Maryland's 6th
After a hard-fought primary on both sides of the aisle, voters in Maryland’s 6th Congressional district will choose a successor to current Democratic Rep. David Trone. April McClain-Delaney, a nonprofit leader and former Commerce Department official, is the Democratic nominee in what’s considered the most competitive race in Maryland and one that could determine which party controls the House when the next Congress convenes. She joins Jim Lokay on “The Final 5” to make her case as a Gonzales poll shows her in a virtual dead-heat against the Republican nominee, former Del. Neil Parrott.
Maryland
Stat Comparison: How Virginia Stacks Up Against Maryland on Paper
As we continue to preview Virginia’s week 3 matchup against Maryland, we can start to use the statistics from this young season to see how these two teams stack up on paper. It’s still an admittedly small sample size this early in the season, but the numbers do begin to show some of each team’s tendencies and are therefore worth taking a look at.
See the chart below for a full statistical comparison between Virginia and Maryland ahead of this weekend’s matchup:
Virginia |
Stat |
Maryland |
---|---|---|
2-0 (1-0 ACC) |
Record |
1-1 (0-1 Big Ten) |
32.5 |
Scoring Offense |
37.0 |
463.5 |
Total Offense |
484.0 |
136.5 |
Rushing Offense |
167.0 |
4.2 |
Yards Per Rush |
4.3 |
327.0 |
Passing Offense |
317.0 |
72.5% |
Completion % |
74.6% |
6/25 (24%) |
3rd Down Conv. |
17/33 (52%) |
4/6 (67%) |
4th Down Conv. |
1/1 (100%) |
7/8 (88%) |
Red Zone Scores |
8/8 (100%) |
4/8 (50%) |
Red Zone TDs |
5/8 (63%) |
3 |
Turnovers |
1 |
2 |
Forced Turnovers |
6 |
21.5 |
Scoring Defense |
17.0 |
400.5 |
Total Defense |
397.0 |
144.0 |
Rushing Defense |
104.5 |
256.5 |
Passing Defense |
292.5 |
8/30 (27%) |
3rd Down Defense |
13/30 (43%) |
5/7 (71%) |
4th Down Defense |
0/1 (0%) |
7-24 |
Sacks by-yards |
3-32 |
28:51 |
Time of Poss. |
33:25 |
See below for individual stat summaries for each team’s starting quarterback, top wide receiver, top running back, and top defender (statistically).
Quarterback
UVA Anthony Colandrea: 50/66 (75.8%), 654 pass yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
MD Billy Edwards Jr.: 46/61 (75.4%), 564 pass yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Top Receiver
UVA Malachi Fields: 16 receptions, 248 yards, 0 TDs
MD Tai Felton: 18 receptions, 330 yards, 3 TDs
Top Running Back
UVA Kobe Pace: 16 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
MD Roman Hemby: 26 carries, 101 yards, 1 TD
Top Defender
UVA Antonio Clary: 19 total tackles, 6 solo, 1.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 QBH, 1 fumble recovery
MD Glendon Miller: 13 total tackles, 8 solo, 0.5 TFLs, 2 INTs, 1 fumble recovery
To read more on some of the top players to watch in Virginia vs. Maryland, click here: Virginia Football: Players to Watch in UVA’s Matchup Against Maryland
Read a full scouting report on the Maryland Terrapins here: A Test From the Terps: What to Expect From Maryland on Saturday at Virginia
Virginia is set to host Maryland on Saturday night at Scott Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8pm on the ACC Network.
A Test From the Terps: What to Expect From Maryland on Saturday at Virginia
Virginia Football: Players to Watch in UVA’s Matchup Against Maryland
UVA Football: Anthony Colandrea Shows Poise Through First Two Games
Virginia Football Injury Report: Updates on Kam Robinson, McKale Boley
Malachi Fields Thriving in WR1 Role for Virginia Football
Maryland
Maryland Weather: Sunny through the weekend…rain next week
BALTIMORE — The nice weather will continue across the area as the week comes to a close.
For the rest of this afternoon, expect a mix of clouds and sunshine, with high temperatures reaching the lower 80s. Overnight, partly cloudy skies are expected, with low temperatures around 60.
Friday will bring more sunshine, a few clouds, and higher humidity, with highs in the lower 80s. Overnight temperatures will be slightly warmer as we head into the weekend, with lows in the low 60s from Friday through Sunday night. Highs each afternoon will remain in the lower 80s.
Enjoy the sunshine while it lasts, as a pattern change is coming. Cooler temperatures, more clouds, and chances for rain will return to the forecast starting Tuesday and lasting through the weekend.
Due to the increased cloud cover and rain, highs will likely stay in the 70s from Tuesday through the end of the week. Overnight lows will fall into the low to mid-60s across the area. There will be chances of rain each day from Tuesday through next Saturday.
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