Tag: Terrapins

Nov 18, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) sacks Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) during the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

No. 3 Michigan escapes Maryland with 31-24 victory

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Corum rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns as No. 3 Michigan withstood Maryland’s upset bid and recorded its 1,000th program victory with a 31-24 win in College Park, Md., on Saturday.

Derrick Moore had a fumble return for a touchdown and Mike Sainristil and Darrius Clemons picked off Taulia Tagovailoa for Michigan (11-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), which led by 20 points midway through the first half. J.J. McCarthy passed for 141 yards and was intercepted once.

Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh served the second game of his three-game conference suspension related to a signal-stealing scandal. The victory set up a showdown with No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 25.

Billy Edwards Jr. scored all three of Maryland’s touchdowns on 1-yard runs. Tagovailoa passed for 247 yards for the Terrapins (6-5, 3-5).

The Wolverines led 23-10 at halftime.

Corum scored on a 2-yard run after Maryland took a 3-0 lead.

The Wolverines defense produced their next touchdown. Michael Barrett sacked Tagovailoa, who coughed up the ball. Moore scooped it up at the 4-yard line and scored.

The Wolverines’ special teams delivered their next points. Christian Boivin blocked a Colton Spangler punt attempt. Spangler then booted the ball through the back of the end zone to prevent a Michigan recovery, resulting in a safety and a 16-3 Wolverines lead.

A pass interference call against the Terrapins on fourth down extended the Wolverines’ subsequent drive, which ended with Corum’s 1-yard scoring run.

Edwards scored on 4th-and-goal with 1:59 left in the half.

Edwards scored on another fourth-down, 1-yard sneak to make it 23-17 with 10:23 left in the third quarter.

Tagovailoa was intercepted by Sainristil on Maryland’s next possession. The Wolverines capitalized, scoring on Semaj Morgan’s 13-yard end around. A two-point conversion try failed, leaving them with a 12-point advantage.

Maryland answered with an 84-yard drive, finished off by another Edwards plunge.

Michigans second interception came from Clemons with 5:32 left at the Terrapins’ 39-yard line. The Wolverines were unable to pick up a first down and punted, which was downed at the 1. Tagovailoa was called for intentional grounding on the next play, giving Michigan a seven-point lead and the ball on the safety.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Billy Kemp IV (1) is brought down by Maryland Terrapins defensive back Beau Brade (2) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Last-second field goal lifts Maryland over Nebraska

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Jack Howes made a 24-yard field goal as time expired and Maryland became bowl-eligible for the third straight year by grinding out a 13-10 victory over host Nebraska on Saturday in Lincoln, Neb.

The Terrapins’ defense recorded five takeaways, and Tarheeb Still’s interception of Nebraska third-string quarterback Chubba Purdy set the stage for a 12-play, 75-yard drive.

Tai Felton drew pass interference on third down to keep Maryland’s drive alive. Roman Hemby’s 21-yard run and completions to Corey Dyches and Jeshaun Jones got Maryland (6-4, 3-4 Big Ten) in position for the winning kick.

Taulia Tagovailoa went 27-for-40 for 283 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception for Maryland, which ended a four-game losing streak. Felton had five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown, and Still and Dante Trader Jr. each recorded two interceptions.

Jeff Sims replaced injured starting quarterback Heinrich Haarberg for the Cornhuskers (5-5, 3-4), but after two interceptions and a lost fumble, Sims was benched for Purdy in the fourth quarter.

Purdy threw a 24-yard completion and ran three times for 33 yards on his first drive, but it ended with a thud when he tossed an interception to Still in the end zone.

Haarberg went 1-for-5 for 0 yards and an interception caught by Trader before he suffered an apparent leg injury in the second quarter.

Sims entered and took Nebraska on a 12-play, 58-yard drive. Emmett Johnson converted one fourth-and-2 run, but another fourth-and-2 play from the Maryland 27-yard line was stuffed.

Tagovailoa hit Felton for 53 yards on the very next play, setting up a 16-yard touchdown catch-and-run by Felton to break the scoreless tie with 2:31 before halftime.

Felton, however, lost a fumble on the first drive of the second half to give Nebraska a short field. Freshman fullback Janiran Bonner scored his first career touchdown on third-and-goal from the 2.

Tagovailoa was intercepted by Javin Wright on the next Maryland possession, made worse by Jones’ unsportsmanlike conduct after the play. That set up Nebraska’s Tristan Alvano for the go-ahead 38-yard field goal with 8:26 left in the third.

A long Terrapins drive was stopped on a failed fourth-and-1 run from Nebraska’s 17. But Sims fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter, Maryland recovered and Howes was able to tie the game 10-10 with a 35-yard field goal.

Trader intercepted Sims on the next possession, but Hemby lost a fumble inside Nebraska’s 5-yard line, setting up Purdy’s late drive.

–Field Level Media

Apr 30, 2022; Birmingham, AL, USA; Houston Gamblers head coach Kevin Sumlin argues with the referees during the first half at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland co-OC Kevin Sumlin arrested, charged with DUI

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Kevin Sumlin, currently the co-offensive coordinator at Maryland, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence over the weekend in Tampa, Fla.

Amid Maryland’s bye week, Sumlin was arrested early Saturday morning, per a Hillsborough County (Fla.) police report. He refused a breathalyzer test, pleaded not guilty and waived arraignment.

Maryland athletics has yet to comment. The Maryland student newspaper, The Diamondback, was first to report the news.

Per the report, there was no crash or property damage leading to Sumlin’s arrest.

Sumlin, 59, has served as the head coach of Houston (2008-11), Texas A&M (2012-17) and Arizona (2018-20). He is in his first season at Maryland as the co-OC, the tight ends coach and the associate head coach.

As a head coach, Sumlin had a career 95-63 record, including 4-3 in bowl games.

Maryland (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) plays at Northwestern this Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Shaleak Knotts (4) is tackled during the second quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports

Taulia Tagovailoa throws for 342 as Maryland races past Virginia

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Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 342 yards and Maryland intercepted three consecutive passes in a dominant fourth quarter to overcome another slow start en route to a 42-14 thrashing of Virginia on Friday in College Park, Md.

Maryland (3-0) fell behind 14-0 for the second straight week before it cranked out 42 straight points, including 21 in the game’s final 12 minutes, to capture its 11th straight nonconference victory.

Tarheeb Still provided the game’s first turnover when he intercepted Cavaliers freshman quarterback Anthony Colandrea in the end zone on the third play of the fourth quarter with Maryland ahead 21-14. The Terps capitalized by moving 80 yards on nine plays to build a 28-14 cushion on Roman Hemby’s 3-yard plunge with 11:10 to play.

Donnell Brown’s juggling pick on Virginia’s next snap set up Antwain Littleton II’s 2-yard touchdown run before Still struck again with his second pick on the Cavaliers’ ensuing drive. Colby McDonald’s 1-yard dive capped the scoring with 5:58 to play.

Tagovailoa completed 19 of 30 passes and put Maryland in front for good when he connected with Jeshaun Jones for a 64-yard touchdown that made it 21-14 with 9:47 remaining in the third quarter.

Jones hauled in five passes for 96 yards to lead the Terps, while McDonald paced Maryland with 75 yards on the ground. Hemby found paydirt twice on nine carries.

Colandrea went 23 of 39 for 263 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in his second straight start for Virginia (0-3). The Cavaliers were expected to start Tony Muskett after the senior missed last week’s game with a shoulder injury.

Colandrea hit Malik Washington down the left sideline on a flea flicker for 49 yards on the Cavaliers’ first offensive snap, and Perris Jones dashed to the left pylon two plays later for a 13-yard touchdown that put Virginia ahead 7-0. Washington caught nine passes for 141 yards.

The Cavaliers kept cooking after Maryland missed a 55-yard field goal, marching 63 yards on seven plays to double their lead after Colandrea found Kobe Pace in the end zone for a 19-yard score.

Maryland responded immediately when Braeden Wisloski raced down the left sideline untouched for a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown that trimmed the Cavaliers’ lead in half with 4:03 left in the first quarter.

The Terps’ defense dug in and forced consecutive punts before Tagovailoa connected with five different receivers throughout a 97-yard drive that Hemby capped with a 3-yard run to even the game at 14-14 entering halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) looks to throw as the action reflects off his visor during the first half against the Towson Tigers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland aim to dispatch Charlotte

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Maryland wasted little time getting out of the blocks in last week’s season opener, scoring 21 points in the first quarter on its way to a 38-6 pasting of FCS foe Towson.

The Terrapins (1-0) try for an encore Saturday night when they welcome Charlotte (1-0) to College Park, Md., for another nonconference clash.

Maryland received three touchdown throws and 260 yards passing last week from Taulia Tagovailoa, who passed the 8,000-yard mark for his career. Corey Dyches enjoyed the best game of his career with six catches for 108 yards, while Tagovailoa and Roman Hemby each rushed for touchdowns.

Not to be left out, the defense posted its third straight game of keeping opponents out of the end zone — a streak that dates back to 2022.

“We got off to the fast start that we’d like to get off to,” Terrapins coach Mike Locksley said. “We played a lot of players, which is huge for us because for us to develop our team with the way football is now, we’re going to need them all.”

Oddsmakers expect Locksley will get a chance to employ much of his roster again this week as the Terrapins are a 24 1/2-point favorite. However, Charlotte and its new, feisty coach, former Michigan assistant Biff Poggi, hope to have something to say about that.

The 49ers presented Poggi with a routine 24-3 win over FCS opponent South Carolina State last week, getting 220 rushing yards and permitting just 168 total yards. Poggi, who famously upbraided the media at Conference USA media day because he wasn’t asked enough questions about his team, was thrilled with how the result was achieved.

“The grittiness and toughness of the defense and the running game is who we are,” he said. “We are a blue-collar, gritty football team. We’re not these guys that are going to win a game 55-54.”

Maryland won the only previous meeting of the schools last year in Charlotte, routing the 49ers 56-21 behind 391 yards and four touchdown passes from Tagovailoa.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley on the sidelines during the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland updates contract of football coach Mike Locksley

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Maryland is amending the contract of football coach Mike Locksley after an eight-win season, and he reportedly is getting a big raise.

While Maryland announced his contract will have new terms, the school did not reveal the money.

Locksley signed a new contract last spring that paid him $4 million a year. Under the amended deal, he will earn $5.5 million in base salary with a $300,000 increase every year, per Sports Illustrated.

The $4 million salary was tied for the lowest in the Big Ten in 2022. Michigan State’s Mel Tucker earned about $9.5 million in 2022, according to the USA Today database of coaches’ salaries.

His contract expires after the 2027 season but will have a season added to it if the Terrapins can post a seven-win season in 2023.

Maryland finished the 2022 season at 8-5, the winningest season since 2010. The Terrapins beat North Carolina State 16-12 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to conclude the season.

Locksley, 53, enters his fifth season at Maryland with a 21-28 record.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2022; Charlotte, NC, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) looks to pass in the second quarter in the 2022 Duke's Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland QB Taulia Tagovailoa returning for senior season

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Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is returning to the Maryland Terrapins for one more season in 2023.

Tagovailoa passed for 221 yards and a touchdown in a 16-12 win against NC State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Dec. 30.

He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2022 by completing 67.0 percent of his passes for 3,008 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for four scores.

The rising redshirt senior made the announcement Wednesday.

“My goal when coming to Maryland was to help coach (Mike) Locksley turn this program around,” Tagovailoa said. “After winning back-to-back bowl games, I believe we have things going in the right direction. But we’re not done yet. I’m not done yet.”

Since transferring from Alabama ahead of the 2020 season, the younger brother of Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has set the Terrapins’ career records for completions (665), passing yards (7,879) and passing TDs (51).

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) makes a throw during pregame activity against the Charlotte 49ers at Jerry Richardson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Efficient QBs headline high-powered battle between Maryland, SMU

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Stepping down from elite programs has paved the way to success for two of the more prolific quarterbacks in the Football Bowl Subdivision this year — SMU’s Tanner Mordecai and Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa.

Saturday night in College Park, Md., when former Oklahoma backup Mordecai takes on former Alabama reserve Tagovailoa, it will be a matchup of quarterbacks guiding 2-0 teams that have yet to be tested.

In the third-ever meeting of the teams, expect more offense than in the first two games — a pair of Maryland wins in the 1960s in which the teams scored a combined 27 points.

Mordecai has thrown for 644 yards and seven touchdowns — ranking No. 11 in pass efficiency in the FBS — while Tagovailoa has thrown for 681 yards and four touchdowns to rank 13th in efficiency.

Both lead well-rounded offenses that average more than 500 yards and 40 points per game, though the competition has been suspect.

SMU is off to a quick start under new coach Rhett Lashlee with wins over North Texas, 48-10, and Football Championship Subdivision side Lamar, 45-16. Lashlee took over after former coach Sonny Dykes left for TCU.

“You all have seen our schedule,” Lashlee said. “The preseason’s over. It’s about to get real, both out of conference and in conference.”

Mordecai will look to receiver Rashee Rice, who has 17 catches for 298 yards and three touchdowns, and running backs TJ McDaniel and Velton Gardner, who have combined for 237 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season. Gardner missed the season opener against North Texas after ripping one of his contact lenses.

Maryland’s offense features a trio of veteran outside threats. Dontay Demus led the Terps in receptions and yards in 2019 and 2020. Rakim Jarrett led those categories last year. This year, that distinction belongs to another wideout, Jeshaun Jones.

The Terps’ top three running backs — two redshirt freshmen and a sophomore — each average at least 8.9 yards per carry.

“That backfield reminds me of the young group that our receivers were that now have become those veteran players,” Locksley said. “And I think they’ll continue to get better.”

For the second straight week, Maryland will be without starting cornerback and punt returner Tarheeb Still (finger), Locksley said on Tuesday. A platoon of Jones, Deonte Banks and Shadrick Byrd filled in for Still in the return game in the 56-21 win at Charlotte.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley (left) talks with offensive lineman Jaelyn Duncan (71) during the second half of the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Struggling Charlotte to host confident Maryland

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During his Tuesday press conference, Maryland football coach Mike Locksley congratulated tennis player Francis Tiafoe for his U.S. Open victory the previous night over 22-time major champion Rafael Nadal.

Locksley later compared Maryland native Tiafoe to his team, which also is looking for a breakthrough season. That opportunity will come later this year when the Terps face the meat of their Big Ten schedule.

But this week, Maryland (1-0) will be a decided favorite as it travels to struggling Charlotte (0-2), which has already seen its top two quarterbacks go down with injuries.

On Saturday, the only concern for the Terps might be overconfidence.

“The team you watch on tape isn’t necessarily the team you’ll see on Saturday,” Locksley said. “This is a team that doesn’t have anything to lose, so we’ll get their best.”

Maryland wasn’t at its best in a 31-10 opening-game win over Buffalo, but it didn’t need to be. The biggest positive was the success of running backs Roman Hemby (seven carries, 114 yards) and Antwain Littleton (six carries, 34 yards), who scored two touchdowns apiece.

Charlotte is coming off a humbling 41-24 defeat at home to William & Mary, its first loss to an FCS opponent since 2017.

Third-string quarterback Xavier Williams gave Charlotte a lift with a 67-yard touchdown run, after directing two other scoring drives in the second quarter, as the 49ers rallied to take the lead. But the fourth quarter was all William & Mary.

In a 43-13 opening-game defeat at Florida Atlantic, the Niners lost veteran quarterback Chris Reynolds, who Charlotte coach Will Healy has called a potential conference player of the year, to an upper-body injury.

Then against William & Mary, backup quarterback James Foster suffered an injury to his throwing hand.

Healy isn’t letting on who will be available on Saturday.

“This is a massive opportunity for our university to host this game,” Healy said. “I hate how we’re rolling into it. But I know our guys have worked their rear end off to make sure it’s a difficult place to play.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) rolls out in the first half during the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Underdog Buffalo preparing for Maryland’s passing attack

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A major point of emphasis in the offseason for Buffalo coach Maurice Linguist was explosive plays — both how to create them and how to stop them.

When heavy underdog Buffalo of the MAC travels to Maryland of the Big Ten in both teams’ season opener Saturday in College Park, Md., the Bulls will get a rigorous test of the latter.

Coming off a year in which he set single-season program records in passing yards (3,860), accuracy (69.2 percent) and touchdowns (26), Terps quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is primed to improve on those numbers.

He will operate an offense that returns nearly intact, including his top two receivers Rakim Jarrett (62 catches, 829 yards) and Dontay Demus Jr. (28 catches, 507 yards).

“The plan they put together … is a very vertical passing attack,” Linguist said. “They can stretch the field horizontally as well.”

In his fourth season at Maryland, Mike Locksley is looking to take another step forward. The Terps went 7-6 last year and are looking to make noise in the Big Ten after another strong year of recruiting.

“The most improved unit on our team is our offensive line,” Locksley said. “I like our young running backs, the power that they run (with) as well as the different skill sets they all bring.”

Achieving that against the strong front seven of Buffalo, led by linebacker James Patterson and tackle Daymond Williams, won’t be easy.

Coming off a 4-8 season, which was Linguist’s first as a head coach, Buffalo also is looking to make more big plays on offense. To that end, Linguist has named Rutgers transfer Cole Snyder the quarterback over incumbent Matt Myers.

In three seasons at Rutgers, Snyder appeared in nine games, throwing one touchdown pass. He’ll have a quality wideout to throw to in Quian Williams, who had 64 catches for 835 yards last year.

Buffalo has only three starters back on offense but the unit is an unknown quantity as several transfers from Power 5 conference schools, in addition to Snyder, will take over starting spots.

Last year’s top rusher Dylan McDuffie (1,049 yards) transferred to Georgia Tech, leaving Ron Cook Jr. as the top backfield threat.

This will be the first meeting of the programs.

–Field Level Media