COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For the first time in the program's history, Maryland will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini this weekend at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and air on the Big Ten Network. The Illini are the only remaining team that Maryland has not played since entering the conference in 2014.


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THIS WEEKEND'S STORYLINES

1. Senior running back Ty Johnson now stands third-all time in Maryland lore in career all-purpose yards with 4,140, jumping from fourth to third this past weekend, passing WR Stefon Diggs (2012-14), with 59 all-purpose yards at Iowa. Johnson currently ranks fourth in career rushing yards with 2,579 and stands 392 yards behind Steve Atkins (1975-78) for third all-time.

2. Both senior linebacker Tre Watson and junior safety Darnell Savage, Jr. have posted four interceptions this season, which is tied with eight other players for the second most in the country, traling only Grant Delpit of LSU who has five. Savage Jr. had two interceptions last week against Rutgers while Watson picked off Iowa this past weekend and is one of only two linebackers in the nation with four picks.

3. Senior linebacker Tre Watson leads the Big Ten and ranks ninth in the country in solo tackles/g (6.6). The fifth-year transfer from Illinois was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Minnesota, when he totaled a game-high 11 tackles, including a sack, and returned an interception 36 yards for a touchdown. He has posted at least 10 tackles in each of the last five games, including 15 in both the Temple (9/15) and Iowa (10/20) games.

4. The Terrapins are currently ninth in the country and lead the Big Ten in turnover margin, at +1.1 per game, after recording five interceptions in the Terps last home game against Rutgers. Maryland has won or tied the turnover battle in every game but two this season and has three times (Texas, Minnesota, Rutgers) had a turnover margin of three or greater. 

5. Through seven games, Maryland has recorded 13 interceptions, the second highest total in the country, trailing only LSU with 14. The Terps have picked off at least one pass in every game this season, including five a few weeks back against Rutgers, the Terps most in a game since they totaled seven picks against Duke on November 14, 1988. 

Click here for Maryland's complete game notes.