Michael Locksley says Maryland must earn fans’ trust back before UCLA showdown
After Maryland’s loss to Virginia Tech, Michael Locksley acknowledged growing fan frustration and said improvement must come on the field as the Terps prepare to host unbeaten UCLA.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Maryland is coming off a loss to Virginia Tech. Michael Locksley says he understands why fans are frustrated. Maryland is 3-4 under Locksley in games following its first loss of a season. The Terps have finished the last two seasons on five- and eight-game losing streaks. UCLA enters Saturday 3-0. The Bruins have the Big Ten’s top rushing offense and rank fifth nationally in that category, according to the source material. Tackling is a major focus for Maryland this week. UCLA at Maryland kicks off Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on BTN.
Maryland football coach Michael Locksley says he understands why Terrapins fans are frustrated.
Now he says his team has to prove on the field that it can respond.
Following Maryland’s loss to Virginia Tech, Locksley repeated Tuesday that the Terps need to execute better, coach better and correct their mistakes ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten opener against UCLA.
Locksley also acknowledged that fans may be tired of hearing similar promises after previous losses.
He said supporters have earned the right to expect better performances and that Maryland must rebuild their trust through preparation and results rather than press conferences.
The frustration is rooted partly in Maryland’s recent history after early-season losses.
Under Locksley, the Terrapins are 3-4 in games immediately following their first loss of a season.
In 2021, Maryland’s first defeat was followed by two additional losses. In 2023, the Terps’ first loss began a four-game skid. In 2024, Maryland opened Big Ten play with three consecutive losses after going unbeaten during nonconference play.
Maryland also finished each of the last two seasons with losing streaks of five and eight games, respectively.
That history has intensified the attention surrounding Saturday’s matchup.
Maryland’s next opponent is an unbeaten UCLA team that enters 3-0 under first-year coach Bob Chesney.
The Bruins defeated Purdue by 14 points in their conference opener and feature one of the nation’s most productive rushing attacks.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who also faced Maryland last season, threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns in UCLA’s most recent victory.
The Bruins enter the week with the top rushing offense in the Big Ten and fifth-best nationally, according to the source material.
That presents a particularly difficult matchup for a Maryland defense that struggled with tackling against Virginia Tech.
Sophomore defensive end Sidney Stewart said improving tackling will be a major practice emphasis this week.
For Maryland players, the challenge is preventing one disappointing loss from becoming a pattern.
Senior offensive lineman Isaiah Wright said it is up to the Terps to stop the negative momentum before it develops further.
Maryland hosts UCLA on Saturday at 1:30 p.m., with the game scheduled to air on Big Ten Network.
For Locksley and Maryland, the message is straightforward: the response will matter more than the explanation.
WHAT IT MEANS
Maryland is at an early but important point in its season.
The immediate issue is not simply whether the Terps can beat UCLA. It is whether Maryland can prevent another early loss from turning into the kind of extended slide that has hurt previous seasons.
Saturday’s game gives Maryland its first Big Ten opportunity to change that pattern.
How To Watch
Matchup: UCLA at Maryland
When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
TV: Big Ten Network
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