By: Adam Gotkin
Just when we thought that 2020 couldn’t get any crazier, it did. A week after their thrilling overtime win over Minnesota, the Terps shocked the world by beating Penn State for only the third time in program history. For a rebuilding program, a win like this can mean much more than just improving your record that week. It can provide an exponential boost the entire season, like In 2014, the last time Maryland beat Penn State, when they finished the regular season 7-5 including a win at Michigan just a couple two weeks later.
But this win means even more for the Terps than the win six years ago. When freshman Rakim Jarrett crossed the goal line on the Terps’ first drive, it marked the first touchdown in three years vs the Nittany Lions, and was the first step in erasing last year’s embarrassing nationally televised 59-0 loss.
This win stands to mean much more for the program than simply improving the record to 2-1. It gives the fans new hope. After the embarrassing week one loss to Northwestern, many Maryland fans had a bleak view for the rest of the season. In addition, the momentum that comes from beating a traditional power like Penn State lasts longer than just a season, as it can make a large impact on the recruiting trail. Beating Penn State makes Mike Locksley’s pitch tangible and could make the Terps a more desirable landing spot for many top recruits, who may start to realize that Lockley’s vision for Maryland is the real deal. Something that may be especially true for local guys after Freshman St John’s Alumni, Rakim Jarrett was named Big Ten Freshman Player of the week and the 247Sports True Freshman of the Week.
The team’s momentum is on hold with the COVID outbreak and Ohio State game cancellation, but they will look to continue their recent success next week when they take on a struggling Michigan State.
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