Welcome to The Diamondback Sports Digest, your weekly all-access pass to everything Maryland athletics.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: Maryland football missed a chance at a breakthrough win last weekend.

The Terps, who entered Saturday’s game 4-0, blew a 17-point lead and lost to Washington, 24-20, in front of a sold out SECU Stadium. Add it to the list of missed opportunities for a premier win under coach Michael Locksley.

Deputy sports editor Jake Kauderer detailed the collapse and immediate fallout, while sports editor Michael Howes dug up three stats that explain the loss.

But there’s some hope, Terps fans. First-year Maryland athletic director Jim Smith has been an early fan favorite, and Michael mirrored his every step in the lead-up to Saturday’s game. Keep reading for more.

[Maryland women’s soccer must correct these issues to snap 3-game skid]

Our pick of the week

Smith spent most of his time before kickoff talking. He popped up at multiple tailgates to mingle with fans and boosters in the parking lots outside of SECU Stadium. Smith then made an appearance at the newly-created Terpsville Fan Fest inside Jones-Hill House, high-fiving children and taking in the scene.

This is part of Smith’s vision to reinvigorate a dormant Maryland football fanbase. He wants to develop traditions that keep fans coming back — for instance, creating a nickname for the student section.

“A bunch of old guys and old women come up with an idea — it’s not as good as if the students come up with it themselves,” Smith said.

The 59-year-old’s outreach efforts haven’t just been limited to football. He’s kept an active presence on social media — looping in fans for feedback on the game day experience — and in the community, appearing at a number of games on campus throughout the fall.

Smith hopes it all leads to a new age of Maryland athletics.

[Maryland field hockey’s family ties foster a close team bond]

The highlight reel

Maryland men’s soccer’s student fan club, The Crew, blurs the line between players and peers with chants, tailgates and Instagram collaborations.

Maryland field hockey’s roster features three pairs of sisters and a cousin for good measure in a unique mix of family ties.

Brayden Marko, a three-star recruit from Gonzaga College High School, wants to be next in a long list of standout Maryland football tight ends.

Volleyball has taken Ajack Malual, originally from Italy, all around the globe. Her latest and last collegiate stop is with the Terps.

Maryland men’s basketball’s student managers fuel the team’s grind — from 3:30 a.m. setups to late-night rebounding — embodying energy, leadership and family.

Quote of the week

“If we reflect holistically, we probably deserved to concede,” coach Michael Marchiano said after Maryland women’s soccer lost its third straight game Sunday to Illinois, 2-1.

Up next

🏈 Football plays its second consecutive home game Saturday against Nebraska in what feels like a must-win.

⚽️ Men’s soccer hosts No. 13 Michigan in a key Big Ten clash on Friday.

🏐Volleyball hosts No. 7 Wisconsin on Sunday. The Terps are looking for their first Big Ten win.