Family Reunion: Fans Are Back In The Stands
Matt Gilpin, Maryland Athletics Staff Writer
9/2/2021
Never has silence been more deafening than when quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa led Maryland football to a thrilling comeback overtime win against Minnesota in College Park last October.
In his first start at home the Hawaii native threw for 394 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 59 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
For a king-making performance, Tagovailoa was left without a kingdom.
In what should’ve been a jubilant moment that would’ve led to pandemonium inside Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, there was an eerie quietness that befell the facility. While the players celebrated their remarkable victory, they had to do so by looking out onto thousands of empty seats.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced colleges across the country to restrict access to their stadiums and to subsequently play their games in front of no fans.
All of that is behind them now as the University of Maryland has announced that fans will be allowed to return and that Maryland stadium will be at full capacity for the 2021 season. For head coach Michael Locksley it’ll be a welcome sight to see tens of thousands of raucous Terps fans cheering on his squad.
“I’ve long said that the fans are the lifeblood of this team,” Locksley said. “What we do, we do it for them and we really missed them last year. Hopefully this year they come back and we play some good football for them.”
I’ve long said that the fans are the lifeblood of this team. What we do, we do it for them and we really missed them last year. Hopefully this year they come back and we play some good football for them.Michael Locksley
Not only did the Maryland football team miss playing in front of their home fans last season, but they missed the atmosphere of the road environments too.
Playing in Happy Valley against Penn State can sometimes be the highlight of a season but to go in and dominate Penn State in front of over 100,000 fans could’ve been the highlight of a career.
That was what the Terps were robbed of last year as they walked into Penn State’s home stadium and thanks to the potent pair of Tagovailoa to Rakim Jarrett, dominated the Nittany Lions 35-19, a final score that was much closer than the actual game itself.
It was a breakout game for Jarrett where he scored his only two touchdowns on the season and the only thing he wishes was different was having unhappy Penn State fans in the stands.
“I love having fans in the stands,” Jarrett said. “I’d rather them be our fans but I did miss their fans too. The game is better when fans are in the stands.”
Jarrett was a part of an entire freshman class at the University of Maryland that didn’t get to enjoy Maryland sporting events. With those freshmen now being sophomores, paired with incoming freshmen, about half of the Maryland student body will have gone without seeing a Terps game in-person.
Locksley is hoping that the absence has made the heart grow fonder and that “The Shell” will be full and rocking for each and every home game.
“It’s a unique experience for a lot of these kids,” Locksley said. “A lot of them haven’t seen a game and a lot of them just want to be in that kind of environment. It should be amazing to see.”
Prince George's County and The University of Maryland have both instituted a mask mandate regardless of vaccination status for indoor spaces, including suites and restrooms, unless actively consuming food or beverage.
Despite this, Maryland football players still want to see droves of fans in the stands, especially in the student section.
The fans are one of the best parts and without them it doesn’t really feel right. I can’t wait to see them again.Dontay Demus Jr.
Senior wide receiver Dontay Demus Jr. is one of the few players on the team who has played in front of the Maryland faithful and isn’t hiding his excitement to see them again.
“I didn’t like it [playing in front of empty stadiums],” Demus said. “The fans are one of the best parts and without them it doesn’t really feel right. I can’t wait to see them again.”
That sentiment is echoed throughout the entire team as other key players like quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II and cornerback Tarheeb Still all have not played in front of Maryland fans.
When Demus was asked if he had any advice for players who haven’t experienced it yet, his answer was simple.
“Embrace it,” Demus said. “Let them fuel you. Let the other team's fans fuel you too and just go out there and play.”
Locksley is taking a similar approach to the return of fans and while he sees it as a big positive on his team and his program, he also knows that they’ll have to perform if they want sustained large crowds.
The mantra around the football team has been ‘family’ as Locksley and his team want to create a familial relationship that extends to the students, alumni and fans across the world.
However, when it comes to football, that love might not be unconditional.
“People are going to be excited because it’s the first game and it’s a rivalry game but we need to give them a reason to keep coming back,” Locksley said. “We need to win some games for that to happen.”
