When Maryland soccer performs host to Rutgers over the weekend, two of essentially the most embattled head coaches in faculty soccer will take to the sideline in a sport that may very well be their final.
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano had been each on the new seat getting into the season, in accordance with most main sports activities shops, and a mixed three wins in 11 video games have finished little to quiet the noise surrounding their respective packages. Some reporters have steered that at this level, it’s a matter of when, not if, every coach’s tenure ends.
Locksley has maintained that his program is able to turning issues round, although. He emphasised Tuesday that this system is at a checkpoint, not a conclusion, midway by means of the season.
“I’m tremendous annoyed, like our followers,” Locksley stated. “Our focus is on taking part in our greatest on Saturday. That’s been the lacking piece. The work has been the kind of work we want, however taking part in our greatest on sport day has not been. And that’s on me as a coach. I’ve to personal that.”
Maryland’s homecoming sport in opposition to the Scarlet Knights will start at 12:30 p.m. at SECU Stadium and be broadcast on the Large Ten Community.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-4, 0-2 Large Ten)
2025 document: 5-7, 2-7 Large Ten
Since head coach Greg Schiano took over in Piscataway in 2020, the Scarlet Knights have gone 31-41 and completed with dropping seasons in 4 of six years.
Rutgers started the season on the incorrect aspect of one of many greatest upsets in faculty soccer, dropping by 16 factors in opposition to a UMass crew that entered the season on a 16-game dropping streak. A loss the following week to Boston School, which had gained simply two video games in 2025, intensified the scrutiny on Schiano.
A win over Howard was some mild reduction, however it was sandwiched by losses to convention powerhouses USC and Indiana, with the 32-point defeat to the Hoosiers approaching Rutgers’ homecoming sport. Rutgers travels to Maryland off a bye week, that means it has had two weeks to organize for the Terps — who’ve proven lots on movie as to how they are often overwhelmed.
Gamers to look at
KJ Duff, junior huge receiver, No. 8 — Every week after holding Jeremiah Smith to 4 catches for 93 yards, Maryland’s secondary has simply as robust a check in opposition to Rutgers’ Duff this weekend. A matchup nightmare at 6-foot-6 and 235 kilos, Duff’s 644 receiving yards rank third and 7 receiving touchdowns rank fifth amongst FBS receivers. Rutgers’ offense, which ranks sixth within the Large Ten in passing yards per sport, flows by means of him – he’s answerable for nearly 32% of Rutgers’ whole offensive yardage.
Antwan Raymond, junior working again, No. 3 — Raymond is without doubt one of the standout working backs in faculty soccer. The preseason All-American hasn’t fairly lived as much as his lofty expectations to this point within the season, however his 93.8 speeding yards per sport nonetheless rank twenty fifth within the nation, and he has earned them with a mean of 5.2 yards per rush.
Moshood Giwa, senior offensive deal with, No. 74 — Giwa has quietly put collectively a stable marketing campaign on the precise aspect of Rutgers’ line, which has but to permit a sack on the season. The previous Lengthy Island participant allowed three pressures from Indiana’s elite line of defense final week; within the Knights’ 4 different video games, he has been accountable for only one stress, in accordance with Professional Soccer Focus. His run blocking grade can be one of the best on the crew.
Energy
Penalties. Whereas opponents have been capable of outgain Rutgers offensively and defensively, that has come with out the Scarlet Knights recognizing their opponents free yardage. Their 26.6 penalty yards in opposition to per sport is the bottom mark within the nation, and their 20 whole penalties on the 12 months are tied for the seventh-fewest. Maryland has gained a mean of 77.5 penalty yards per sport, a mean that may be anticipated to drop following Saturday.
Weak spot
Run protection. Raymond has continuously been outshone by what the Scarlet Knights enable their opponents to do on the bottom. Rutgers permits 5.79 yards per run, the fifth-worst mark in FBS, for a mean of slightly below 200 speeding yards per sport. Locksley referred to as Maryland’s star again DeJuan Williams absolutely wholesome through the week, and that can give him a serious alternative for a breakout sport.
Three issues to look at
1. Which Rutgers quarterback earns the beginning? Dylan Lonergan has began 4 of 5 video games for Rutgers this season, however backup AJ Surace — who additionally bought the nod in opposition to Boston School — completed Rutgers’ most up-to-date sport, in opposition to Indiana. Surace went 6-of-10 for 128 yards and a landing, demonstrating a capability that would lead Schiano to present him the nod in School Park, even with each wholesome.
2. Can Maryland keep turnover-free? Rutgers has simply 4 interceptions and two pressured fumbles on the season — two picks and a fumble got here through linebacker Bradley Jones in opposition to Boston School, with the opposite three turnovers coming in opposition to Howard. The Terps escaped Columbus with out committing a turnover after having been free with the ball of their two earlier losses, and one other clear sport will maximize their probabilities of profitable.
3. Streak to be stopped. Maryland dropped its contests in opposition to Rutgers in 2025 and 2024, with every loss coming by two scores. Within the 106-year historical past of competitors between the 2 packages, the Terps have by no means misplaced three straight in opposition to the Scarlet Knights.
