By Jake Russell

The weather in State College, PA was setting up well for the Maryland Terrapins as they closed out their regular season schedule against the 12th-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.

With sleet pouring down to create a sloppy field at Beaver Stadium, the conditions were ripe for Maryland manage the tempo of the game since they’ve evolved into a primarily ground-based offense.

As recent history has indicated, the Terps proved to be no match against a Penn State team hosting its Senior Day. On Saturday, Maryland was dominated and beaten at its own game, with the Nittany Lions racking up 310 yards on the ground against an outmatched Terrapins defense on the way to a 38-3 blowout loss in Happy Valley.

The loss not only knocked Maryland (5-7, 3-6 Big Ten) out of bowl contention, it meant the Terps have dropped their last two meetings with Penn State (9-3, 6-3) by a combined score of 104-6. The Nittany Lions have outscored Maryland 118-6 in their last 10 quarters of play.

To make matters worse, the Terps defense was dominated by two local recruits, senior quarterback Trace McSorely (Briar Woods High School) and freshman running back Ricky Slade (Hylton High School), who each ran for two touchdowns. McSorely added a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for good measure.

Maryland now heads into an offseason filled with questions and not many answers. Will interim head coach Matt Canada be retained in 2019? Will athletic director Damon Evans still hold the same post heading into the spring?

Even though the Terps had made inroads in local recruiting in recent years, how the administration handles the next few months will control the fate of the program for the next several years.

A frozen Beaver Stadium is eerily calm hours before kickoff. (Photo by Jake Russell)

A view from the Penn State tunnel at Beaver Stadium. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State players arrive to fanfare at Beaver Stadium. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Beaver Stadium employees work to clear slush from the field. (Photo by Jake Russell)

An empty Beaver Stadium awaits Maryland’s season finale against Penn State. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland offensive lineman Tyran Hunt adjusts his beanie while wearing a shirt honoring fallen teammate Jordan McNair. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland’s offensive line gets in some pregame reps. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland defensive back Antwaine Richardson makes the tackle. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley runs into the end zone for his first of two rushing touchdowns on the day. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley high steps into the end zone for his first of two rushing touchdowns on the day. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorely and offensive lineman Mike Miranda celebrate McSorley’s touchdown run. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Both teams prepare for the snap. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Trace McSorley hands off to running back Miles Sanders. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley runs into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown on the day. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Trace McSorely celebrates his second rushing touchdown of the game. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Terps running back Javon Leake tries to avoid Penn State defenders. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Terps quarterback Tyrell Pigrome calls a timeout. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Trace McSorley looks to make a pass. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland wide receiver Taivon Jacobs looks for an opening. (Photo by Jake Russell)

The Terps huddle up. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland wide receiver Jashaun Jones is wrangled by Penn State defenders. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland defensive back Rayshaud Lewis lines up against Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Terps defensive lineman Adam McLean looks on as the refs make a call. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland linebacker Tre Watson heads to the locker room after being ejected from the game. (Photo by Jake Russell)

The Nittany Lions celebrate running back Ricky Slade’s first rushing touchdown of the game. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland quarterback Tyrell Pigrome prepares to run a play. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State’s mascot enjoys the game in the student section. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Maryland mascot Testudo eggs on Penn State punter Blake Gillikin. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley walks off the Beaver Stadium field after his last play as Penn State’s quarterback. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Penn State running back Ricky Slade celebrates his second rushing touchdown of the game. (Photo by Jake Russell)

Running back Ricky Slade and offensive lineman Connor McGovern celebrate Slade’s second rushing touchdown of the day. (Photo by Jake Russell)

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