Game Information
Opponent: #23 NC State Wolfpack (8-4, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference)
Location: Bank of America Stadium (74,867)
Date: Friday, December 30, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV/Radio Broadcasts: ESPN, Maryland Sports Radio Network
Series Record: 33-33-4
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Just over a month after Maryland capped off their 2022 regular season with a blowout victory over Rutgers, they’ll head down to Charlotte, NC to face a familiar foe in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. NC State finished the year with eight victories, and a #23 ranking in the College Football Playoff in head coach Dave Doeren’s tenth year at the helm. The Wolfpack will certainly be ready to play in this game after their appearance in the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl against UCLA last season was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Bruins’ program.
1. Who is Tagovailoa Throwing To?
Since the conclusion of the regular season, four of Maryland’s top pass-catchers have left the program. Dontay Demus, Jr. and Rakim Jarrett will skip this game to begin preparations for the NFL Draft, and Jacob Copeland and CJ Dippre have entered the transfer portal. For a team that relies somewhat heavily on their dynamic passing attack, these departures leave the cupboard much more bare than it was all year.
Leading receiver Jeshaun Jones is expected to play in this game, giving quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa a clear #1 option when he drops back to pass. Tight end Corey Dyches will also play a major role. Behind them however, they’ll be relying on talented but otherwise unproven options like Tai Felton, Octavian Smith, Jr., and Shaleak Knotts. On one hand, this game (and the weeks of practice leading up to it) will give these younger pass-catchers an opportunity to build a strong relationship with Tagovailoa heading into the 2023 season. On the other hand, there may be moments of miscommunication and confusion against the Wolfpack as they continue to become comfortable on the field together.
2. How Does Last Year’s Bowl Experience Help?
Maryland’s appearance in the 2021 New Era Pinstripe Bowl was the team’s first postseason game since 2016. This is the first time they’ll be playing in back-to-back bowl games since the 2013-14 seasons, and a win would give the Terrapins consecutive bowl victories for the first time since the 2002-03 seasons. It’s obviously invaluable experience for the players, and they should only be more comfortable as they spend the week in Charlotte, NC.
Last season, their 54-10 win over Virginia Tech was an annihilation in every sense of the word. The Hokies struggled after firing head coach Justin Fuente and suffering a large number of departures from the program before the bowl game. Despite the obvious advantages however, Maryland came out and executed at a high level for all four quarters of the contest. Head coach Michael Locksley can point to that result as proof that this group can come out and do the same thing on Friday afternoon.
3. Replacing Mike Miller
Maryland has suffered just one departure from its coaching staff so far, but it wasn’t an insignificant one. Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Miller, one of Locksley’s first hires when he first took over in College Park, was hired by longtime DMV high school head coach Biff Poggi to be his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Charlotte. While offensive coordinator Dan Enos calls the plays for the Terrapins, Miller played an integral role in shaping the scheme and gameplanning on a weekly basis. He was also one of the team’s best recruiters.
4. Underclassmen to Watch
With 14 players in the transfer portal and an additional few skipping this game before heading to the NFL Draft, there will be a clear opportunity for some of the team’s younger players to see meaningful snaps. This experience will undoubtedly be invaluable for their development as they prepare for the 2023 season. As mentioned earlier, wide receivers Tai Felton, Octavian Smith, Jr., and Shaleak Knotts will have a chance to prove themselves as worthy primary targets for Tagovailoa. Tight end Preston Howard may be able to play a role after CJ Dippre’s departure.
Defensively, watch for some of the younger pass-rushers to begin carving out a role for themselves on next year’s team. With Greg China-Rose, Durell Nchami, VanDarius Cowan, and Tyler Baylor all set to graduate, they’ll have a leg up on the large number of freshmen being brought in as members of next season’s recruiting class. Linebacker Caleb Wheatland has been impressive in practice all year, and may have a chance to see the field more after Ahmad McCullough’s departure. Cornerback Deonte Banks won’t play in this game, so look for Lionell Whitaker or Corey Coley, Jr. to receive some meaningful snaps on the outside.
5. The Significance of Eight Wins
With a victory in this game, Maryland would record their eighth win of the season. They haven’t reached that mark in over a decade, their last time coming in 2010 when they finished with a 9-4 record. Locksley has talked a lot about raising the program’s floor, and stacking winning seasons and bowl victories is exactly how to do that. While missed opportunities in games against Purdue, Michigan, and Ohio State certainly hang over the year as a whole, a postseason win over a nationally-ranked team would be a perfect way to head into 2023.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.