​Keep up with today’s Week 9 college football action with all the big plays, key games and breaking news. Click here for our gameday live blog.There’s nothing scary or intimidating about Maryland’s home crowd for its Halloween game Saturday against Illinois as the Terrapins begin their transition between coaching staffs.Instead, it’s remarkably sparse.INSIDER: Maryland football has ambitious coaching targets. Here’s the realityTOPPMEYER: Why Brian Kelly to Maryland football isn’t as crazy as you’d thinkSECU Stadium looked noticeably empty at kickoff for Saturday’s noon matchup against Illinois. Large sections of the lower bowl remained empty, while much of the upper deck along one sideline was lightly populated, with only a scattering of fans visible in the stands.Saturday’s game marks the first time Maryland has taken the field since coach Mike Locksley and the university parted ways on Wednesday, Oct. 21.The crowd as the ball is kicked. It’s the smallest crowd at any game I’ve attended, and I was in Memorial Stadium for Illinois-Northwestern in 2017. pic.twitter.com/4PxGnxBXYb— Robert Rosenthal (@ALionEye) October 31, 2026Aazaar Abdul-Rahim, who served as Locksley’s co-defensive coordinator, is the Terrapins’ interim head coach for the remainder of the season, as the university begins its national search for its next head coach.Things started well for Maryland under Abdul-Rahim with Messiah Delhomme picking off Illinois quarterback Katin Houser and returning it for 43 yards on the game’s opening drive. The momentum for Maryland would be brief as running back DeJuan Williams fumbled the ball three plays into the Terrapins’ first offensive series. Maryland is looking for its first Big Ten win of the season on Saturday. Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports’ new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Maryland football fans dress up as empty seats for Halloween game vs Illinois