Franklin’s observations centered on Maryland’s tendency to get the ball out quickly, a pattern that leverages perimeter plays and screens to offset strong inside pressure. He focused specifically on Maryland’s receiving corps, noting several players who have contributed early this season. Abdul-Rahim Gladding has 14 receptions for 187 yards with two touchdowns. Kaleb Webb has recorded six catches for 69 yards after a productive previous year in which he totaled 22 receptions for 318 yards and two scores. Chris Durr Jr. has stepped up with 16 receptions for 147 yards.
The context for Franklin’s remarks goes beyond this weekend’s game. The two head coaches share a long, intertwined history. Franklin and Mike Locksley spent time together as Maryland assistants in the early 2000s, a connection that adds a layer of intrigue to their Week 3 meeting. Franklin’s path to the current moment included being named head coach-in-waiting at Maryland in 2009 under Ralph Friedgen, a situation that ended differently due to changes in athletic leadership and ultimately led Franklin to depart for Vanderbilt in 2011. Locksley later returned to College Park, and the coaches’ professional paths crossed again in the years that followed.
The competitive arc between them intensified in 2024 when Franklin, then leading Penn State, defeated Maryland 44-7. The game’s late timing—when reserves were in and a final 15-yard TD pass extended the margin—produced tension, with Locksley labeling the final score as inappropriate. That moment has colored conversations as they prepare to meet again, though both coaches have stressed that this week’s game is about the players and on-field matchups rather than personal history.
From a program standpoint, Maryland faces its own pressures as it looks to regain momentum after consecutive 4-8 seasons. The program has publicly received support, but the buyout figure around $13 million underscores the high stakes surrounding Locksley’s tenure. On the other sideline, Franklin has Virginia Tech off to a 2-0 start in his first season, marking the Hokies’ best start since 2021 and giving the program a solid platform heading into the pivotal Week 3 clash.
As the teams prepare to face off, the storyline centers on the matchup of Maryland’s pass-catchers against Virginia Tech’s defensive front, the tactical adjustments each side will deploy, and the ongoing personal history between the two coaches that adds an extra layer of competition to this early-season showdown.
