Welcome to The Diamondback Sports Digest. Every week, we send you a rundown of the latest Maryland athletics news.

Maryland football’s frustrating start led to another dominant win — again.

For the second consecutive week, the Terps dug out of a two-score hole on Friday and erupted in the second half to come back in their renewal of an old rivalry against Virginia. In this week’s newsletter, we’ll cover the Terps’ final nonconference game, Maryland volleyball’s new practice drill that prepares players for crunch time, two cousins who followed each other to Maryland field hockey and more.

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Maryland football overcomes brief stumble in Friday night win

The Terps gave up touchdowns on Virginia’s first two drives and punted on half of their possessions in the first half of their Friday night matchup against Virginia. But Maryland scored six unanswered touchdowns after going down two scores to finish its nonconference slate undefeated for the third straight year. The Terps won, 42-14.

Maryland’s defense has held its opponents to just three touchdowns in as many games.

Michael Locksley applauded the adjustments defensive coordinator Brian Williams has made in recent weeks. Football reporter Brandon Schwartzberg has more on what went wrong for the team and how it got corrected. Last week, Brandon also covered how the Terps’ heavy defensive rotations help players stay energized all game long.

Inside the new drill helping Maryland volleyball prepare for pressure

Assistant coach Ryan Ammerman implemented a drill to simulate late-game, high-intensity situations for Maryland volleyball. To play, the Terps split into two teams. Both start with the score tied, and each squad is a few points away from victory.

The drill looks to prepare players physically and mentally for similar, high-intensity situations. So far, it has done just that. Maryland is 10-2 after wrapping up its nonconference schedule, capped off by two wins in a Saturday doubleheader against Florida Atlantic and Florida Gulf Coast.

“Good teams aren’t gonna lose. You’re gonna have to beat them,” Ammerman said. “And so after 20 [points], they’re not gonna miss a serve or hit the ball out of bounds. They’re gonna make the serve, they’re gonna hit a good shot, and you have to execute, so we’re working on winning our way out of that.”

Volleyball reporter Tanner Malinowski has more on the drill’s origins and impact.

Cousins Josie Hollamon, Maci Bradford bring bonds to Maryland field hockey

When Josie Hollamon committed to Maryland field hockey, the first person she called was her cousin and fellow Terp, Maci Bradford.

The duo both committed to Maryland to continue playing field hockey together, which they’ve done since they were 4 years old. From youth teams to the club level to the national stage, the sport has long brought the Delaware natives together.

Before joining Maryland, both players had competed at advanced levels on the U-16 and U-18 national team together. Delmar High School won five state championships with Hollamon and Bradford at the helm.

The pair come from an athletic family that has a knack for winning championships as coaches and players. They came to College Park to continue that. Field hockey reporter Holliday Woodard profiled the cousins and their bond.

Best Bits

  • Maryland athletics announced the One Maryland Collective on Thursday, a NIL organization that integrates all of the Terps’ previous collectives into one.
  • Anna Coffin returns to Maryland cross country this season for a fifth year after injuries and setbacks derailed her first four seasons. The team’s only graduate student said this year’s squad is the Terps’ best in her time in College Park.
  • Maryland women’s soccer couldn’t handle No. 6 Penn State on Friday. Before dropping the contest, the Terps had made it through six straight games without a loss.
  • In this week’s recruiting roundup, Maryland football hosted a slew of top local recruits for Friday’s game, Matt Swope added to Maryland baseball’s roster and Kevin Willard hosted a 2024 target.

Stat of the week

Maryland football touts a 45-32-2 all-time record versus Virginia after Friday’s win. The Terps have played the Cavaliers more than any other team, with the duo’s first meeting dating back to 1919.

Game to watch

Maryland football opens Big Ten play against Michigan State in East Lansing on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The Terps won this matchup last season in their first victory over the Spartans since 2016. Michigan State will be without coach Mel Tucker, who the school recently suspended amid a sexual harassment investigation.