Early in the fourth quarter with No. 9 Penn State holding a 24-7 lead against Maryland, quarterback Drew Allar threw an over-the-shoulder pass to wide receiver Dante Cephas to the left corner of the end zone. Cephas made the grab for his second touchdown catch of the game, increasing Penn State’s lead to 31-7.
Despite quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa starting the game completing 17 straight passes, Maryland (5-4) was never able to establish a rushing attack and a one-dimensional offense could not compete with the Nittany Lions, falling 51-15. It marked Maryland’s fourth straight loss.
Entering the game, Penn State had the No. 1 rushing defense in the country and had only given up 74.3 yards a game. The Nittany Lions’ defensive front lived up to the billing, as Terps running backs only attempted seven rushing attempts and gained minus-6 yards. In total, Maryland’s rushing attack finished with minus-49 yards.
“We wanted to run the ball out of spread sets and for whatever reason we couldn’t cover people up,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “Then you get behind the sticks and are forced to throw the ball and we didn’t hold up in protection.”
Maryland did not get off to the fast start it is always harping on, committing two turnovers in its first two possessions. Penn State took advantage on the first turnover — a failed fourth-down conversion at the Terps’ own 44-yard line — by marching down a short field. After a review, officials ruled that Cephas maintained control on a one-handed touchdown grab.
On the Terps’ second drive of the game, the ball came out as wide receiver Tai Felton was going to the ground on the tackle. The fumble ended a promising drive at the Nittany Lions’ 23-yard line.
“We just couldn’t get it together today. … We were up and down all day and I had a turnover,” Felton said. “It was my fault, but it is what it is and we’ve got to keep going and move on and fix our mistakes.”
The Nittany Lions entered the game leading the conference in sacks with 32 and created lots of pressure on Tagovailoa, sacking him six times.
Maryland lost the turnover battle, 4-0 — including committing turnovers on the last three drives. Penn State also generated more explosive plays (nine, five through the air and four on the ground) compared to the Terps’ six. In total, Penn State turned those four takeaways into 13 points.
Penn State had a more balanced offense, posting 158 yards on the ground. Allar threw for 246 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 39 yards.
“I thought we played the run pretty well today,” defensive lineman Donnell Brown said. “The only thing that actually got us was the quarterback draw … but anytime they gave it to their running back they ain’t making it.”
Penn State’s defense stifled Maryland’s offense in the second half, as the Nittany Lions outgained the Terps 210-63. The Terps are still searching for that sixth win to clinch bowl eligibility and face road games against Nebraska and Rutgers and a home finale against Michigan to close out the 2023 season.
“It’s a team game,” Felton said. “We’ve got to keep practicing, keep going hard and keep believing. In the end of the day it’s belief because if we believe then you can do anything you want to do.”
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