Last Saturday was yet another statement win for Curt Cignetti and his No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers. Even against a surging UCLA squad that had been rolling since its coaching changes, Indiana looked unstoppable. The Hoosiers dominated every phase of the game, piling on points and cruising to a commanding 56-6 victory. It was not only a confidence-boosting win but also the second-to-last home game of the regular season. Still, Cignetti isn’t dwelling on it — his focus has already shifted to what’s next: a dangerous Maryland team waiting on the road.
Indiana has made a name for itself by coming out fast and setting the tone early, but this week’s opponent thrives on doing the same. “They’re outscoring people the first three quarters, 175-50,” Cignetti said Monday during his weekly press conference. On paper, Maryland’s 4-3 (1-3 B1G) record may not raise eyebrows, but don’t let that fool you — this is a team that’s been in every game. If not for a few fourth-quarter slip-ups, the Terrapins could easily be undefeated. Their last three losses? All heartbreakers decided by four points or fewer — 24-20 to a 6-2 Washington, 34-31 to (6-2) Nebraska, and 20-17 to a red-hot UCLA squad.
The Terrapins’ biggest Achilles heel this season has been finishing. Through seven games, Maryland has been outscored 61-24 in the fourth quarter — a stark contrast to the control they’ve shown earlier in games. Outside those final frames, though, their defense has been rock solid, allowing an average of just 7.1 points through the first three quarters of a game. Under first-year defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, the Terps have carved out a clear identity built on aggression and takeaways.
“I mean, they’re in the top 10 in the country in turnover ratio,” Coach Cignetti said Monday. “They’ve got a new defensive coordinator who has been in the NFL for 16 years, was a linebacker coach for the Ravens, won a Super Bowl there. They had 14 interceptions. 22 sacks. They’re giving up 17 points a game.”
Monachino’s NFL experience is showing. Maryland’s defense — once a liability in 2024, surrendering 30 points per game — has transformed into one of the Big Ten’s stingiest units. This season, the Terps have forced 16 turnovers (14 interceptions and two fumble recoveries) and turned that ball-hawking mentality into a legitimate weapon.
But it’s not just the defense that’s impressed. On offense, Maryland has been just as disciplined. The Terrapins have coughed up the ball only five times all year (two fumbles, three interceptions) and boast a staggering +11 turnover margin — second in the nation and top among Power Four programs, trailing only Southern Mississippi, who has played one more game.
Leading the way for that offensive efficiency is none other than true freshman quarterback Malik Washington. “He’s got great size. They’re doing a really good job protecting him, which is huge,” Cignetti noted. “They’ve only given up two sacks. But he’s also got the ability to extend plays, avoid the rush — which he’s done — and throw it down the field or tuck it and run. He can make all the throws down the field, and he’s learning as he goes. But he’s very impressive.”
Cignetti’s praise is well-earned. Washington has been a revelation for Maryland, throwing for 1,716 yards (59.7%), 11 touchdowns, and just three interceptions, while adding 98 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. He may not be among the national elite yet, but for a true freshman, his composure and production have been exceptional — and he’s a big reason Maryland remains a dangerous opponent for Indiana’s third road trip of the season.
In recent weeks, Indiana’s defense has faced a recurring challenge — finishing tackles on mobile quarterbacks. Against UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava and Michigan State’s Aidan Chiles, the Hoosiers occasionally struggled to keep the play contained, allowing big scrambles or extended drives. As the team gears up for Maryland, that emphasis will once again be front and center. The coaching staff will stress the importance of collapsing the pocket quickly and wrapping up runners before they can shift momentum.
The good news? Help is likely on the way. Cignetti shared that linebacker Aiden Fisher is “probable” to play this week — a key boost for a defense that thrives on his energy and physicality.
Fisher and the rest of Indiana’s linebacker corps will play a crucial role in containing Maryland’s elusive freshman quarterback, ensuring he doesn’t extend plays or move the chains with his legs. While the Terrapins have battled fourth-quarter woes, a few late-game corrections could make them far more dangerous than their record suggests.
Still, this Indiana team has built its identity on relentless intensity — and they won’t be easing up now. The Hoosiers travel to College Park for a 3:30 p.m. (EST) kickoff on Saturday, Nov. 1, ready to test their toughness once again on the road against a Maryland squad that’s better than its record shows.