Postseason hopes dim as Maryland football stumbles against Rutgers University

Maryland Football vs. Rutgers at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD (Courtesy of University of Maryland Athletics)

Rutgers University quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis led his team with 238 passing yards to a 31-17 point victory over Maryland football in College Park on Saturday in a game that had postseason implications.

Maryland entered the game with an all-time 7-3 record against Rutgers, including a three-game win streak but this game meant more than maintaining that streak. Both teams wanted the win to keep their postseason hopes alive.

Kaliakmanis completed a 32-yard scoring pass to receiver Dymere Miller at the beginning of the fourth quarter, putting them up 28-17, Rutgers largest lead of the game.

Maryland had multiple opportunities to get back into the game.

On their next drive, Maryland drove into Rutgers territory but Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. was intercepted after receiver Octavian Smith Jr. bobbled the pass and Rutgers defensive lineman Jordan Thompson caught the ball before it hit the ground.

Down 31-17, Maryland again drove into Rutgers territory but could not convert on fourth down and three yards. Edwards' short pass attempt to running back Roman Hemby was blocked, resulting in a turnover on downs with eight minutes and 29 seconds left on the clock.

Maryland tried to put more points on the board again. With just over four minutes left on the clock, they faced a familiar situation, finding themselves on fourth down with six yards to go. Edwards’ pass attempt to receiver Kaden Prather failed after it was tipped.

“We were able to move the ball but just could not finish drives, and we're not scoring enough points, and we're leaving some plays on the field," said Maryland head coach Michael Locksley. “We had opportunities in the end zone to finish, finish on the ball, and we didn't.”

Despite the result, there were some personal highlights for Maryland players.

The game may have gotten off to a slow start but Maryland receiver Tai Felton certainly did not. He broke the single-season record for receptions at Maryland after catching his 81st pass early in the first quarter.

Felton would then go on to be the fourth ever Terp with one thousand receiving yards in a season after catching a 12-yard pass for the Terps first touchdown of the game in the second quarter.

Maryland running back Roman Hemby also played an important part in the Terp’s success in this game. He had a couple of key rushes in the first half, putting Maryland in positions to score.

He scored Maryland’s second touchdown in the third quarter, putting the Terps up 17-14. Hemby ended the game with 87 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards.

Despite his play, Hemby hoped for more, saying, “it feels good to do my part, if at all possible, but, you know, we want to win, and that's the main goal. That's all I really care about. So the personal things don't really matter.”

To keep their postseason hopes alive, Maryland will now need to win their final two regular season games against Penn State and Iowa. Penn State is ranked fourth and Iowa stands in sixth place in the Big Ten Conference.

They take on Iowa in College Park on Saturday, Nov. 23, in a game that could decide the rest of their season.