Leading up to Maryland wrestling’s meet against Iowa, coach Kerry McCoy knew the Terps’ chances at beating the No. 3-ranked Hawkeyes were slim to none.

And when 149-pounder Pete Tedesco got taken down just seconds into the dual meet on Friday, it seemed like a bad omen that Maryland was in for a long night.

Those fears were realized as the No. 3 Hawkeyes (12-0, 7-0 Big Ten) bludgeoned the hapless Terps (0-9, 0-6 Big Ten), 48-0.

“We got beat by a better team,” McCoy said. “In every weight class, they went out there and put it on us pretty good.”

After Tedesco’s loss, 2018 NCAA qualifier Ryan Diehl returned from injury and finally made his dual season debut for the Terps. Instead of wrestling at his familiar 141-pounds, though, Diehl opted to go at 157-pounds.

It was baptism by fire for Diehl as he was tasked with facing No. 7 Kaleb Young. Diehl held his own during the match, even showing signs of his 2018 self at some points, but ultimately fell by decision, 10-4.

McCoy wasn’t necessarily pleased with Diehl’s loss and knows the redshirt senior can be more effective — even against the NCAA’s best.

“He just needs to wrestle better,” McCoy said. “This was against top competition but he’s right there with them. He’ll be good.”

Following Diehl’s debut, the floodgates opened.

Fresh off a bout with No. 3 Evan Wick of Wisconsin, 165-pounder Philip Spadafora had the difficult task of facing No. 2 Alex Marinelli. Spadafora couldn’t do much against the heralded Hawkeye and was pinned in the second period.

174-pounder Josh Ugalde followed that up by getting pinned in the first period, and Iowa opened up a commanding 20-0 lead after just four matches.

184-pounder Kyle Jasenski took on No. 10 Cash Wilcke — a rematch from the Midlands tournament in December in which Wilcke won 2-0. But it was much different this time around and not in a good way for the Terps. Even though Jasenski fought hard, Wilcke took him down at will en route to a 23-9 victory.

Much like they have in every dual meet this season, Maryland entered intermission down big.

Things didn’t get any easier out of the break, as 197-pounder Niko Cappello was crushed by No. 5 Jacob Warner, losing in a technical fall.

With no points and no momentum, Maryland turned to their only ranked wrestler in No. 9-ranked heavyweight Youssif Hemida as he was set to reignite his rivalry with No. 7 Sam Stoll.

In their first meeting since last year’s NCAA tournament, a match won by Hemida, the two titans were locked in a close, low-scoring match. With Stoll clinging to a late 1-0 lead in the third period, Hemida attempted a late takedown but Stoll sprawled away, preserving his victory, 1-0.

Hemida’s loss can be traced back to the second period and his controversial decision to stay neutral instead of the down position. Had Hemida chosen down, he would’ve had a chance for a 1-point escape. Instead, the two heavyweights stayed tied at 0-0.

At the beginning of the third period, Stoll chose the down position and escaped, which ultimately was the difference.

While the risky decision didn’t pay off, McCoy stands by it.

“We want to wrestle in our best positions,” McCoy said. “We thought we could get the takedown and we came really close to it in the third.”

After Hemida’s loss, 125-pounder Brandon Cray and 133-pounder Orion Anderson were both squashed by their opponents, each getting pinned in the first round. 141-pounder Danny Bertoni’s subsequent loss secured the Terps worst-ever Big Ten loss and marked the first time they have been shutout since joining the conference in 2014.

Maryland has struggled mightily this season, but Friday’s record loss was a new low for the sinking Terps, whose road trip continues with No. 7 Minnesota on Sunday.

“They just dominated us,” McCoy said. “We didn’t have much for them.”