By Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_301)

The Maryland Terrapins lost for the offset time Saturday in the DJ Durkin era, falling to Penn State 38-14.

The loss gave the Terps' program a reality check afterwards the hype of a iv-0 start.

The Nittany Lions were the Terps first true exam of the season, later the Terps beat Howard, FIU, UCF, and Purdue to start the flavor.

In 2014, the Terps beat Penn State by just ane point. In 2015, Penn State returned the favor, chirapsia Maryland 31-30. Afterwards Saturday'due south dominating functioning over the Terps, Penn Country now leads the series 37-2-1.

From the commencement, Penn State had a plan: go the ball to sophomore running dorsum Saquon Barkley as much every bit possible. The Terps couldn't stop him.

Barkley finished with a career high 202 yards on 31 carries to proceed with 1 rushing touchdown.

Tardily in the 2d quarter, the Terps' offense suffered a major blow. Down 17-seven, the Terps were driving down the field when starting quarterback Perry Hills injured his throwing shoulder. Hills was sidelined for the remainder of the game.

Freshman Tyrell Pigrome came in for Hills. Pigrome finished the drive with a rushing touchdown, cut the Penn Land lead to just three with 52 seconds left in the half.

The Terps couldn't stop Penn State's offense. With xv seconds left in the half, Barkley disrepair out a 45-yard touchdown run, and put the Nittany Lions back up by 10 before halftime.

The Terps offense wasn't able to put a scoring bulldoze together in the 2nd half. Penn Country added two more than touchdowns, cruising to a 38-xiv victory.

Three Takeaways

  1. Despite the fast start, the Terps still have a long manner to go.

    Head jitney D.J. Durkin has washed a not bad job turning around the Maryland football program in his commencement year. He has already surpassed terminal flavor'southward win total, and only needs two more wins for his team to exist bowl eligible.

    After a 4-0 start, including a thrashing of Purdue, many called for the Terps to be ranked. Their résumé was solid. It made sense.

    Just the loss to Penn Country shows that the Terps still have a long way to go. They are on the correct rails, but it doesn't happen overnight.

  2. How hurt is Perry Hills?

    Hills has been an constructive quarterback all season, catching defenses off guard with both his arm and his legs. If the redshirt senior is out for an extended period of time, the Terps' offense could be in trouble.

    Pigrome has looked solid in certain spots, but didn't print much in the 2d one-half confronting Penn State – his starting time opportunity for extended playing time.

    As a whole, the Terps passing attack only threw for a measly 100 yards. That volition need to change if the Terps want to go a real Big Ten threat.

  3. Ty Johnson needs more than touches.

    Later rushing for a career high 204 yards only a calendar week ago, the sophomore was just able to record 11 yards on five carries.

    Johnson is one of the Terps' best offensive weapons. Having him touch the ball less than 10 times per game is unacceptable.

    Johnson defenseless two passes for 69 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown for the Terps first score of the game.

    While it looked like Johnson was going to breakout for a 2d straight game, the lack of touches prevented that from happening.

What's next?

Can the Terps rebound?

After suffering their first loss of the season, the Terps accept an excellent take a chance to rebound with a win. Maryland hosts the 3-2 Minnesota Golden Gophers next Sat at noon.

The Terps need this win. Michigan State, Indiana, Ohio State, and Michigan are Maryland'due south side by side 4 foes after Minnesota. A five-one tape would look good for the Terps earlier they enter this tough iv-game slate.