3 takeaways: Malik Washington struggles as Maryland is routed by Nebraska, 48-23

Another Saturday, another demoralizing ending. The Terps fell to Nebraska, 48-23, on Saturday to stretch their losing streak to three since opening FBS play against Virginia Tech on Sept. 19 in coach Michael Locksley's eighth year at the helm.

Maryland led for most of the first half, building a lead as large as nine points in the second quarter, but never fully took control against the Cornhuskers. The Terps allowed 34 unanswered points from the 2:41 mark of the second quarter to the end of the game. Quarterback Malik Washington delivered another uneven performance, following last week's stinker by recording only 77 more passing yards after throwing for 177 in the first quarter, including zero in the second quarter.

And in a theme that has become all too familiar during the Locksley era, Maryland repeatedly undermined itself with costly mistakes.

A week after throwing four interceptions against UCLA , Washington's turnover problems followed him to Nebraska.

Washington finished the game 23-for-44 for 254 yards and a touchdown, but a pair of first-half interceptions prevented the Terps from building on an early lead.

His first pick came with Maryland leading 16-14 after Nebraska scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the second quarter. On the Terps' first play of the ensuing possession, Washington dropped a pass directly into the hands of defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak, who had dropped into coverage.

Nebraska failed to capitalize, and Maryland scored a touchdown on its next drive after DeJuan Williams picked up 59 yards by himself on two plays. Washington's next interception, however, had much costlier implications.

With Maryland driving at the Nebraska 25-yard line, leading by nine with 2:41 remaining in the half, Washington lofted a pass that defensive back Dwayne McDougle III intercepted and returned 81 yards for a touchdown. The score cut Maryland's lead to two, and Nebraska grabbed the lead before halftime.

Add it up for Washington over the past two weeks: six interceptions, three returned for touchdowns.

It's not the sophomore leap Maryland expected.

Self-inflicted mistakes and more self-inflicted mistakes

It didn't take long for Maryland to show "the standard" of shooting itself in the foot. That's a joke, but it's the same stuff with this team.

After Bryce McPherson nearly had a punt blocked on Maryland's first possession — only to benefit from a roughing-the-kicker penalty that helped extend the drive and eventually produce a field goal — Nebraska got him the second time. Jeremiah Charles was credited with the block, and the Cornhuskers promptly turned it into points on a 19-yard touchdown run from Mekhi Nelson.

Here's another play that led directly to a score: Late in the first quarter, Anthony Colandrea was sacked by Carlton Smith for an 11-yard loss, setting up third-and-27. Instead, Nahsir Taylor came down on him after the play and ripped his helmet off in the process, drawing a penalty and giving Nebraska new life.

Naturally, the Cornhuskers went down and scored.

Those two plays alone turned what could have been a 16-0 Maryland lead into a 16-14 game.

Then came the penalties. Nebraska had its share, in fairness, but Maryland piled up 70 penalty yards in the first half, including an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a personal foul on freshman Zion Elee. The latter came during Nebraska's 80-yard touchdown drive to close the half.

On that final drive alone, Maryland was flagged for a personal foul, holding, roughing the passer and offsides.

The offensive execution wasn't much better. Maryland didn't convert its first third down until the fourth quarter and finished 1-for-14. Over the past two games, Maryland is 2-for-29 on third down.

There's also the fourth quarter. Nebraska led by only five entering the final period before outscoring Maryland, 20-0. Despite Locksley and Washington repeatedly emphasizing that winning the fourth quarter was a priority this season, the Terps have struggled to do so consistently.

Maryland has not won a fourth quarter in Big Ten play since Oct. 26, 2024, against Minnesota — 707 days ago.

Earlier this week, Maryland athletic director Jim Smith publicly backed Locksley, saying the two were "aligned on the work in front of us" after the Terps' 54-3 loss to UCLA.

Four days later, that work produced more of the same.

Smith said his statement this week would be his final public comment on Locksley's job status. That doesn't mean the questions are going away.

If anything, they're only getting louder.

Maryland travels to Ohio State next week before hosting a struggling Rutgers team Oct. 17 ahead of its bye week. Locksley would be owed roughly $10 million if fired before Jan. 1, 2027, an obvious factor in any decision.

But at some point, the results become impossible to separate from the coach.

After another loss filled with the same mistakes, that point might be getting closer.

Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com , 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes .