Terps Out Duel the Cavaliers in Renewal of the Border Battle
After spotting Charlotte 14 points last week, Maryland would wind up doing the same against Virginia after they scored on a 13 yard rushing touchdown and a 19 yard passing touchdown. However, that would wind up being the only scoring on the day for Virginia.
Even without their All-Big Ten safety in Beau Brade, Maryland only gave up 14 points on the day while causing four turnovers including three interceptions. The defense was causing havoc after the first quarter causing five tackles for loss and two sacks on the day. It was the second week in a row the Terps starting defense held their opponents scoreless after giving up 14 points in the first quarter.
The Terps offense once again came out to a slow start as well. The only points Maryland put up in the first quarter was a 98 yard kickoff return by true freshman Braeden Wisloski. It was not until 1:23 left in the first half that Maryland was finally able to score their first touchdown on the day thanks to a Roman Hemby three yard rushing touchdown to make it tied at 14 heading into halftime.
After getting a stop on Virginia’s first drive of the second half, Maryland would wind up scoring a touchdown to take their first lead of the day thanks to a beautiful 64 yard pass from Taulia Tagovailoa to Jeshaun Jones to make it 21-14. After this however the Terps offense would go stagnant once again and would not be able to put together a scoring drive for the rest of the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter however, the flood gates opened and the Terps offense started to go to work. Maryland put together three straight drives that would end with a rushing touchdown. On the first drive it was Hemby that would score on a three yard run giving him two on the day. The next drive it was Antwain Littleton that would run it in from two yards out. And then to cap off the win, Colby McDonald would punch it in from just one yard out to make it a 42-14 win for the Terps in the Border Battle over Virginia.
This week’s players of the game are Tarheeb Still and Colby McDonald. Still finished the day with five tackles while also having two of the three interceptions for Maryland including one that prevented a Virginia touchdown. With Brade out for the game, Still stepped up and helped fill his void in the secondary. McDonald showed the coaching staff he deserves more and more carries. Finishing the day with ten rushes for 76 yards and a touchdown on the day, McDonald has turned the running back room into a three man rotation after not earning many opportunities last season.
After beating Virginia in the Border Battle for the largest margin of victory for Maryland in the rivalry in 37 years, the Terps will head on the road for the first time this season where they will face a Michigan State team with a lot of questions surrounding the program currently. The game is set to kick off on Saturday, September 23rd at 3:30PM EST and will be airing on NBC, making it Maryland’s third nationally televised game of the young season.
