Maryland Falls to Michigan in Last Home Game
The Maryland Terrapins lost their seventh consecutive game Saturday in a 45-20 loss to the No. 18 Michigan Wolverines in their final home game of the season.
The Terps looked to end their six-game skid and send their fans away with one last win. Michigan, meanwhile, looked to add onto its four-game win streak with its second straight road win after defeating Northwestern last week..
“We just weren’t good enough today,” Maryland Head Coach Mike Locksley said following the loss. “That starts with me as the leader.”
Michigan led 21-10 at halftime. Another insurmountable deficit for the Terps.
The Wolverines came out of the break hot with Bryson Kuzdzal finding the endzone for the second time on a 19-yard rush, pushing the lead to 28-10.
On the ensuing offensive possession, Maryland was gifted yards from a roughing-the-passer penalty, keeping their drive alive after a third-and-eight incompletion. The Terps continued to drive all the way down to the Michigan 11-yard line before Malik Washington was sacked. Kicker Sean O’Haire converted a 29-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 28-13 midway through the third quarter.
A kick to the Michigan 14-yard line opened up a lane for Andrew Marsh to return the ball to the Maryland 47-yard line. A few plays and a roughing the passer penalty later, the Wolverines had the ball inside the Terps’ red zone. Kuzdzal found the end zone from a yard out, his third touchdown on the day. Michigan went up 35-13.
“We held their run pretty good until late in the third and end of the fourth quarter,” Maryland senior safety Jalen Huskey said after the game. “I think we did an alright job and it’s something we can build on.”
After the Maryland offense stalled at midfield, Washington was sacked on fourth-and-nine. Fans started heading for the exits, realizing that it might be another Terps loss. With under a minute to play in the third quarter, the Wolverines took over at the Maryland 37-yard line.
Michigan running back Jasper Parker found the endzone for a six-yard touchdown, the Wolverines’ 4th touchdown on the ground today. The score made it 42-13 with over 13 minutes left.
After another Maryland three-and-out, Michigan backup quarterback Jadyn Davis replaced starter Bryce Underwood. Following several run plays to drain the clock, kicker Dominic Zvada put a 46-yard field goal through the uprights. Michigan led 45-13 with a little over seven minutes left to play.
Maryland backup quarterback Khristian Martin came in and led the team to a touchdown in just four plays, connecting with Jalil Farooq on a 29-yard touchdown with just under six minutes to play. This play cut the deficit to 45-20.
Michigan running back Tomas O’Meara carried eight times for 65 yards on their final possession as the clock ran out.
Maryland started the game, putting points on the board first.
Maryland began the game with a drive that was capped off by a one-yard passing touchdown from Washington to Dorian Fleming. Michigan responded right back when Underwood found Marsh for a 12-yard touchdown pass as the Wolverines got on the board.
At the end of the first quarter it was tied at seven. Michigan ended the quarter at the Maryland five. A possession that opened with Terps defensive back Lavain Scruggs dropping a potential interception in Michigan territory on the very first play of the drive.
“Not a lot needs to be said, it needs to be done,” Locksley said.
On the second play of the second quarter, Michigan running back Kuzdzal found the endzone for the first time on a three-yard run that capped off a 12-play, 83-yard drive for the Wolverines. Michigan led 14-7.
A Washington pass off the fingertips of Shaleak Knotts was intercepted by Mason Curtis, who returned it down to the Terps’ 23-yard line. On third and nine of the ensuing possession, Underwood found Donaven McCulley for a 22-yard touchdown. Maryland was down 21-7 with just under three minutes elapsed in the second quarter.
“We were able to get the ball down the field, guys were making plays, and then of course teams adjust, decided to play a little more drop coverage,” Washington said.
Washington quickly moved the ball down the field with four completions of 10 yards or more and five completions to five different pass-catchers. However, a deep pass to Farooq was dropped in the end zone. A few plays later, Washington was sacked and the Terps settled for three points from O’Haire.
Michigan got the ball back and settled for a 38-yard field goal attempt from Zvada that was no good. Maryland ran a two-minute drill before the end of the first half, but the drive stalled out around midfield, forcing a Maryland punt. Michigan looked to put more points on the board before the half, but a sack by Sidney Stewart stopped their forward momentum and ended the first half. It was 21-10, Wolverines’ advantage.
The Terps managed just 71 rushing yards compared to the Wolverines’ 228 yards. The Wolverines ran 50 plays to Maryland’s 25, a telling disparity that foreshadowed the outcome of the game
“We do have to be able to get off the field on what we call ‘money downs,’” Locksley said. “We didn’t do that today.” Michigan finished 12/14 on third-down conversions compared to 5/14 for Maryland. The Wolverines never punted in this game.
“This team has deep rooted connections, they’ve stayed really really together throughout this tough skid.” Locksley continued, “You don’t always get what you work hard for, those are life lessons that’ll benefit us all. I can tell you nobody wants to win more than that group in that locker room.”
Washington emphasized the need to learn from these defeats.“Just finding ways to watch the tape, get better at it. Be able to take the losses and turn them into lessons.”
Now out of bowl contention, Maryland will look for a morale victory next week in its season finale against the Michigan State Spartans at Ford Field in Detroit.