MINNEAPOLIS — If last week was the high point of the Maryland football season, Saturday was the best starting point.

The Terps’ comeback over USC masked many of the team’s problems. But Maryland (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) showed it’s still a flawed team, and nearly all of those flaws showed up in Minnesota’s decisive 48-23 victory. The Gophers led by as many as 38 points Saturday.

Minnesota (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) outclassed the Terps in every way. The Gophers had eclipsed 30 points this season entering the game, where they scored 31 points in the first half. Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer threw for his season highs in touchdowns and passing yards before the end of the third quarter.

Maryland didn’t play well on offense or defense, but its coaching staff also made some questionable decisions early. Coach Michael Locksley ran consecutive plays out of the shotgun on third-and-fourth in the first quarter. No play picked up the first down and Minnesota scored on the ensuing possession.

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The Terps’ second leading receiver, Kaden Prather, was ruled out in favor of Shaleak Knotts on Billy Edwards Jr.’s first interception. Knotts appeared to run the wrong route, leading to an easy Gophers touchdown.

Edwards threw another interception on the Terps’ next drive, and Maryland finished the first quarter with 21 points.

Locksley’s team is not skilled enough to make such mistakes. The Terps are the 14th most talented team in the Big Ten, according to 247 Sports. They compound that by being the fifth-most penalized team in the conference and committed five infractions on Saturday.

Everything Maryland has struggled with this season was evident at Huntington Bank Stadium. The Big Ten’s worst pass defense allowed Brosmer to throw for 320 yards on just seven incompletions.

Minnesota receiver Daniel Jackson caught nine passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Easily created separation on most of his receptions.

The Gophers entered Saturday allowing the fourth-fewest passing yards per game in the nation and forced Edwards to scramble. He completed 19 of 35 passes with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

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He faced constant pressure, a persistent theme this season. Edwards was hit five times and both were thrown from a foul pocket.

Locksley’s shoulders slumped and his head bowed after Edwards’ second interception. He has struck familiar poses this season, a glimpse into the frustration the coach has experienced.

MJ Morris entered the game in the fourth quarter and led two touchdown drives. The backup quarterback completed the Terps’ best pass of the day — a 49-yard route to Knotts.

Minnesota’s 48 points were the most Maryland has given up on an unranked opponent since Nebraska scored 51 in 2019. But the feeling isn’t unfamiliar to Terp fans. The program has allowed 40 or more points in at least one game every year since 2010.

Locksley said last week that his team has seen significant growth. He insisted his team could “win big”. While this week’s loss doesn’t change the magnitude of that win, Maryland took another step back against Minnesota.