Maryland football followed a similar script to its Week 2 game by falling behind, 14-0, to Virginia in the first quarter.
But just like against Charlotte, the Terps clawed back, this time tying the game at 14 heading into halftime. Maryland then put on a show in the second half, outscoring Virginia, 28-0, to seal a 42-14 victory in the 79th matchup between the programs. The Terps outgained the Cavaliers, 274-151, in the second half while averaging 8.6 yards per play.
Even with slow starts and sloppy play, Maryland still found a way to come out of nonconference play unscathed. Here are five takeaways from the Terps’ final nonconference game of the regular season.
1. It was another slow start offensively and defensively.
The Terps once again preached the need to start fast but struggled to implement that for a second consecutive game. Virginia quarterback Anthony Colandrea made his second straight start and came out of the gates fast.
The Cavaliers executed a perfect flea flicker, with Colandrea throwing a 49-yard deep ball to wide receiver Malik Washington on a busted coverage. That play moved the Cavaliers into the red zone. Running back Perris Jones raced in for a 13-yard touchdown a couple of plays later.
Running back Kobe Pace added a 19-yard touchdown catch to put Virginia up 14-0 as the Cavaliers found the end zone on their first two drives. That put the Terps in the same hole they started in against Charlotte.
The Terps struggled to get going offensively, punting twice and missing a 55-yard field goal in their first three drives before a spark helped them settle in.
2. A special teams touchdown jump-started the Terps.
Maryland freshman wide receiver Braeden Wisloski took over the kick return duties, and that paid off after the Terps fell behind, 14-0. Wisloski found a huge hole and ran down the left sideline to return a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, electrifying the packed student section and shrinking Virginia’s lead to 14-7.
“That return couldn’t have come at a better time for us and that was a tremendous effort on Braeden’s part getting it to the point of attack and then he finished it,” Maryland head coach Michael Locksley said. “… It was much needed and I think it jump-started us as a team.”
That was the first Maryland kickoff return touchdown since Javon Leake did it in 2019.
3. The running game was strong in short-yardage situations.
Running backs Roman Hemby, Antwain Littleton II and Colby McDonald were not super productive, as they only managed three rushes of 10 or more yards. However, the running game was effective in short-yardage situations. Four of Maryland’s six touchdowns were scored via the run. Hemby scored two touchdowns. Littleton and McDonald each found the end zone once.
McDonald again took advantage of his limited snaps, leading the team in rushing. The junior rushed 10 times for 75 yards and one touchdown.
4. The defense created turnovers, helping the Terps win the turnover battle 4-0.
Cornerback Tarheeb Still struggled during the first three quarters but came up big in the fourth quarter, picking off Colandrea twice as part of the freshman quarterback’s three interceptions.
With the Terps nursing a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers were at Maryland’s 12-yard line and in prime position to tie the game up. Colandrea looked for his favorite target in Washington, who raced to the right corner of the end zone. Still cut in front of Washington to snag the ball.
“It was actually really good, though, because the first two games I didn’t see much action,” Still said. “The action picked up this week, so it really just made me tighten down my coverage. I really needed the ball to come that way so I can just get better.”
The Terps turned Virginia’s first three turnovers into touchdowns, blowing the game open by scoring 21 points off the Cavaliers’ mistakes.
5. Maryland now shifts toward Big Ten play.
Maryland wrapped up its nonconference slate undefeated for a third consecutive year and will open Big Ten play at Michigan State on Sept. 23.
“Honestly, we are not playing our best football,” Locksley said. “I think I have enough proof that we are … built to overcome adversity. I don’t think I need to see us down 14-0 anymore to know that we are capable.”
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox