Maryland's special teams declining sharply after a great 2014 season wasn't even on the top-50 list of reasons for the Terrapins' nine-loss season.
Special teams matter a lot, but they mostly make a difference at the margins. Bad special teams play probably cost Maryland exactly one game – a one-touchdown loss to Wisconsin on Nov. 7 in which Maryland gave up a kick return touchdown, allowed a 61-yard run on a fake punt and went offsides on a game-extending onside kick recovery. But this unit struggled virtually all season, save for a thrashing of FCS Richmond in the first game.