Maryland’s newcomers lead the way in stunning rout at Penn State

With a standout performance Saturday at Penn State, Jarrett helped prove the staff’s plan has potential. The freshman wide receiver, along with other newcomers, propelled the Terrapins to an emphatic 35-19 win at Beaver Stadium, the Terps’ largest victory over the Nittany Lions in school history.

Jarrett’s recruitment — and decision to flip to Maryland on national signing day a year ago — outlined Locksley’s model for elevating the program. He convinced a highly rated local prospect (from St. John’s) to believe in Maryland. And the freshman’s outing against Penn State — 144 receiving yards with two first-quarter touchdowns — showed how Locksley’s recruiting ability can manifest on the field and lead to unprecedented results.

Locksley said he texted Jarrett ahead of the game with this message: “Hey, we brought you here to make plays.” He told Jarrett this game was an opportunity to do so.

“He came through,” Locksley said, “and really made some big-time plays for us early on to ignite us.”

Throughout the game, Maryland’s receivers benefited from sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa’s accuracy and composure. ­Tagovailoa, who threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns in another strong performance, made a similar decision this offseason to transfer from Alabama and be part of the rebuilding project in College Park. With this core of youth, the Terps (2-1) orchestrated a stunning win at Penn State, which is winless after three games.

Before this matchup, Maryland had played Penn State 43 times and won only twice — by one point in 2014 and by four points in 1961. In the previous three meetings, the Nittany Lions outscored the Terps 163-6. Maryland’s performance Saturday bucked those trends and offered a tangible sign of progress for Locksley and his staff.

“We’re going to take it as one win — obviously it’s a big one,” Locksley said. “It’s a big one for our young team to come up here in State College and win a game against a traditional power like Penn State. I’m happy for our players. … They’re buying into everything we’re asking of them.”

Maryland’s offense showcased its potential in an overtime home victory last week against Minnesota, but a defense that struggled in that game delivered a solid outing Saturday. The unit flustered Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throughout. Just after halftime, sophomore safety Nick Cross — another player who flipped to Maryland just after the school hired Locksley — registered a sack, forcing Clifford to fumble. Linebacker Chance Campbell scooped up the loose ball and ran 34 yards to the end zone. The play handed Maryland a 35-7 lead and gave the Nittany Lions little chance to mount a comeback.

Penn State finished with 434 yards, but only 144 came in the first half when the game was in reach. Maryland sacked Clifford seven times, including twice by freshman linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, a key member of Maryland’s 2020 recruiting class. In the fourth quarter, junior cornerback Kenny Bennett and Cross grabbed interceptions after Maryland failed to force any turnovers in its first two games.

Locksley said the defensive game plan centered on forcing Clifford to throw. All week, Cross said, the staff “really emphasized turnovers — hunting the football, running to the ball — because that’s going to help create turnovers with big hits and everything like that.”

With the Terps leading 7-0 after Jarrett’s first touchdown, Penn State attempted to convert on fourth and three from the Maryland 7-yard line rather than kick a field goal, and the Terps’ defense got a key stop. Clifford completed 27 of 57 passes for 340 yards, and the Penn State running game, without its top two backs, offered little support. The Nittany Lions scored the final two touchdowns to lessen their margin of defeat.

“Mentally, I’m pissed,” Clifford said. “That’s probably the only way I could describe it. We’re an 0-3 football team. I’ve never been on an 0-3 football team. I’ve never lost like this in my life. To say I’m disappointed, frustrated are all understatements.”

After accounting for five touchdowns against Minnesota, Tagovailoa played well again as he continues to push his issues in the season opener further into the past. The offensive line, which had some concerns heading into the season, had a solid performance and did not allow much pressure to reach Tagovailoa.

Jarrett scored his first career touchdown with a 42-yard reception on the opening drive. For the third straight game, Tagovailoa guided the offense through a smooth series to start the game. (Tagovailoa has completed 14 of 16 passes on opening drives this season.) Jarrett’s score was Maryland’s first touchdown against the Nittany Lions since 2016. Last season, Penn State shut out Maryland, 59-0, and in each of the two meetings before that, the Terps only scored three points. This time, the Terps had little trouble.

“Rakim, he’s just a baller,” Tagovailoa said. “Our whole wide receiver group, they’re just a bunch of playmakers. You’ve just got to get the ball in their hands.”

Jarrett scored again two possessions later with a 62-yard reception, and Tagovailoa found a wide-open Dontay Demus Jr. in the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown to give Maryland a 28-7 lead before halftime. After a breakout performance last week, senior running back Jake Funk scored on a 38-yard carry earlier in the second quarter.

Guided by a mistake-free showing from Tagovailoa, the Maryland offense showcased its potential for this season and for the future. And unlike last week, the defense did its part, too. Penn State has plenty of problems, but for Maryland, the takeaway from this game should be simple: The Terps had never beaten Penn State as they did Saturday, and Locksley had never so forcefully shown proof of how his program can evolve.