Midway through the third quarter of Maryland’s most recent football game, defensive back Glendon Miller sprinted furiously to the line of scrimmage to join several teammates in swarming Villanova running back Isaiah Ragland for a loss of two yards.
It would have been a textbook defensive play, except Miller arrived at the point of attack without his helmet. The equipment had come off seconds earlier during another collision, yet the redshirt senior continued his pursuit, leading to a personal foul penalty.
The mental gaffe contributed to the Wildcats’ first touchdown drive of the game, and although the Terrapins beat their visiting Football Championship Subdivision-level opponent, 38-20, the outcome also included a handful of other significant defensive penalties that had Coach Michael Locksley vowing to address an error-filled showing.