Penn State tries to erase a 2020 Maryland memory

The 16 players on the Penn State travel roster who are from Maryland are having a homecoming this weekend.

The 22nd-ranked Nittany Lions (2-3 Big Ten, 5-3) take on the host Terrapins (23, 5-3) Saturday at 3:30 (FS1-TV) at Maryland Stadium, where Penn State has won 66-3 and 59-0 in its last two trips there.

“It’ll be cool to smell the Maryland air because it is different,” said left tackle and Waldorf, Md. native Rasheed Walker. “It’s going to be a good feeling just to be back home playing, especially knowing that a lot of my family members will be at the game.”

Last year’s meeting at Beaver Stadium was no fun for Penn State, which suffered a humiliating 35-19 loss and fell to 0-3. It was only Maryland’s third win in 44 games in the series. Lions coach James Franklin, a former Maryland assistant, briefly mentioned that 2020 game this week.

“Our guys remember last year,” he said. “We’ve watched it, as well.”

Taulia Tagovailoa, younger brother of Tua, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, completed 18-of-26 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns last year against the Lions. Rakim Jarrett, a sophomore this year, caught eight passes for 144 yards and two scores.

“Last year isn’t this year and this year wasn’t last year,” said defensive tackle Dvon Ellies, from Burtonsville, Md. “We can’t dwell on what happened last year.”

This year, Tagovailoa has completed 71% of his passes for 2,384 yards and 17 touchdowns, both near the top of the Big Ten. He’s also thrown eight interceptions, tied for the most in the conference.

The Terps have turned it over 14 times, second-most in the Big Ten.

“He’s a really talented guy,” Franklin said of Tagovailoa. “He can make plays with his arm. He makes some big-time throws. He can extend plays and make plays with his feet. I’ve been very impressed with him.”

Penn State’s defense has been mostly sturdy, ranking sixth nationally in pass defense efficiency, eighth in points allowed (17.0) and ninth in red zone defense. The offense hasn’t been nearly as strong, especially on the ground. Walker and the rest of the offensive linemen have struggled much of the season.