Tag: Maryland

Nov 25, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Jeshaun Jones (6) gains yards after a catch during the first half as Rutgers Scarlet Knights linebacker Deion Jennings (17) and defensive back Flip Dixon (10) pursues at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Taulia Tagovailoa becomes Big Ten’s top all-time passer as Maryland tops Rutgers

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Taulia Tagovailoa became the Big Ten’s all-time leading passer as he guided Maryland to a 42-24 win over host Rutgers in the regular-season finale Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Tagovailoa completed 24 of 31 passes for 361 yards and three touchdowns for the Terrapins (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten). He broke the record on a 6-yard completion to Jeshaun Jones late in the first half and added on after halftime.

Tagovailoa has thrown for 11,256 yards in his Maryland career. He began the day fourth on the list and passed Drew Brees before topping another Purdue quarterback, Curtis Painter, and his previous record of 11,163 yards.

Tai Felton caught five passes for 140 yards and a touchdown for Maryland. Roman Hemby rushed for 113 yards on 15 carries and caught a touchdown.

Rutgers (6-6, 3-6) fell behind 28-3 less than 18 minutes into the game before mounting a comeback that fell short.

Gavin Wimsatt went 13-of-34 passing for 165 yards, a touchdown and an interception and ran for 48 yards and two scores for the Scarlet Knights. Kyle Monangai added 20 carries for 118 yards.

Maryland scored touchdowns on its first four possessions, featuring a 34-yard TD pass to Felton, a 6-yard run by Tagovailoa, a 17-yard completion to Hemby and a wide-open 44-yarder to Corey Dyches.

Rutgers went on a 10-play, 75-yard drive to begin clawing back. Wimsatt’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Young cut it to 28-10 with 6:43 left in the half.

After a Terrapin three-and-out late in the half, Wimsatt hit Isaiah Washington for a 42-yard play that got Rutgers to the 1. Wimsatt ran it in on the next play to make it a manageable 28-17 halftime deficit.

Dyches appeared to have his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard catch-and-run, but he was ruled down at the 1. Backup quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. pushed it in on the next play for a 35-17 Maryland lead at 9:15 of the third quarter.

Rutgers managed to drive 94 yards in 14 plays, aided by Dillan Fontus’ targeting penalty on what would have been a third-down stop. Wimsatt scored from the 1 again to make it 35-24 with 6:48 to play.

But the Terrapins chewed up most of the remaining clock and Edwards scored his second 1-yard touchdown, one week after rushing for three touchdowns against Michigan.

–Field Level Media

Rutgers' Kyle Monangai and the rest of the Scarlet Knights running backs will try to run the ball effectively on Saturday against Michigan State at SHI Stadium.

Maryland, Rutgers aiming to improve bowl positions

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After joining the Big Ten together in 2014, Maryland and Rutgers have slowly moved toward the middle of the pack in a tough football conference.

Both the Terrapins and host Scarlet Knights will try to shore things up before bowl season when they meet Saturday in Piscataway, N.J.

Both programs have obtained bowl eligibility but will finish behind titans Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in the final year of the Big Ten East division.

They endured bumpy seasons to get to this point, with Maryland (6-5, 3-5) having lost five of its last six and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) on a three-game skid.

Maryland made it close against No. 3 Michigan last Saturday in a 31-24 home loss, even as veteran quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw two interceptions and lost a fumble without recording a touchdown.

“You don’t win big games losing the turnover battle,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said. “Losing that turnover battle 3-1 is costly. It’s the part of our program development that we have got to get fixed. We’re doing everything we can and we’ll continue to do everything we can to get that part fixed.”

Rutgers has watched its offense deflate over the past several weeks as it scored 16, zero and six points against then-No. 1 Ohio State, No. 22 Iowa and No. 12 Penn State.

Kyle Monangai, who led the Big Ten in rushing for a time, has been held to 39 yards for two straight weeks.

“Unfortunately Maryland is really good on defense,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. “I think they are somewhere … in the top 40 (for) defense in the country. I was kind of hoping when I throw the tape on that I was going to see a defense that was so-so and we could get back on track. But these guys are really good. But that’s life in the Big Ten.”

Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt has not thrown for more than 130 yards since a win over Michigan State on Oct. 14. His season high is just 198, though he’s accounted for 15 total touchdowns (eight passing, seven rushing).

Maryland has won two straight and four of five in the series, including a 37-0 beatdown in last year’s regular-season finale. In that game, Tagovailoa went 25-for-37 passing for 342 yards and a touchdown and Roman Hemby rushed for 70 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after sacking Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) dung the first half at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

No. 11 Penn State pummels Maryland, 51-15

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Drew Allar tied a career high by throwing four touchdowns and No. 11 Penn State cruised to a 51-15 victory over slumping Maryland on Saturday in College Park, Md.

Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) rebounded from a pair of shaky performances in a loss at top-ranked Ohio State two weeks ago and a 33-21 win over Indiana last week when it blew a 10-point lead in the fourth.

Allar delivered a steady performance by completing 25 of 34 passes for 240 yards while leading six lengthy scoring drives. He threw two TDs to Dante Cephas and one apiece to Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren.

Allar helped the Nittany Lions control the ball for 37:14 as their offense totaled 404 yards and gained 25 first downs.

Kaytron Allen rushed for 91 yards, including a 10-yard TD with about nine minutes left that gave Penn State a 37-15 lead and sealed matters.

KeAndre Lambert-Smith finished with eight catches for 95 yards, including a 20-yard reception that set up Allen’s score.

Alex Felkins added three field goals and backup quarterback Beau Pribula scored Penn State’s final TD.

Taulia Tagovailoa completed his first 17 passes and was 29 of 39 for 286 yards and threw TDs to Roman Hemby and Jeshaun Jones but Maryland (5-4, 2-4) struggled with its offensive line.

Tagovailoa also got sacked six times after taking six sacks in last week’s loss to Northwestern. Maryland also struggled to get anything going on the ground, finishing with minus-49 yards on 16 attempts while its offense committed four turnovers.

After Maryland did not convert a fourth down near midfield, the Nittany Lions went ahead with 8:41 left in the first when Cephas stayed in bounds after officials initially ruled he was out on a 6-yard score. Aided by Lambert-Smith’s 38-yard reception, Penn State took a 14-0 lead on Johnson’s 2-yard score right before the end of the first.

Tagovailoa survived three sacks on Maryland’s first drive of the second and his 7-yard pass to Hemby made it 14-7 with 7:59 left. Penn State countered with its third lengthy scoring drive and took a 21-7 edge on Warren’s 8-yard TD with 2:34 to go. Penn State settled for a 30-yard field goal by Felkins for a 24-7 lead with 9:26 left in the third, Cephas caught a 15-yard TD early in the fourth to make it 31-7.

–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 away from team after DUI charge

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Maryland co-offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin is away from the team this week after being booked on driving under the influence charges over the weekend in Florida.

Head coach Mike Locksley also told reporters Tuesday that Sumlin faces unspecified discipline.

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.

“We’re aware of the charges. It’s disappointing. As coaches, we have to set the example and model the behavior that we want (from) our players — and we take it very seriously,” Locksley said. “At the same time, I will also say he’s part of our football family, and we’re going to support Kevin.”

The Maryland student newspaper, The Diamondback, was first to report the news of his arrest. 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 college head coach, Sumlin had a career 95-63 record, including 4-3 in bowl games.

Sumlin spent 2022 as the head coach and general manager of the Houston Gamblers of the USFL.

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

–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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Oct. 7, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) is nabbed by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Michael Hall Jr. (51) during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.

Maryland, Illinois attempt to cleanse systems after ugly losses

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Maryland and Illinois will look to atone for last week’s missed opportunities when the Big Ten foes meet on Saturday in College Park, Md.

The Terrapins (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) return for their homecoming game after stumbling in a 37-17 loss to then-No. 4 Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday.

Maryland flirted with an upset by scoring the game’s first 10 points and held a 17-10 advantage in the third quarter, but a slew of costly throws from quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa ultimately kept the Terps from their first 6-0 start since 2001.

The redshirt senior threw a pick-6 in the second quarter that gave the Buckeyes their first points before another ill-advised throw cost Maryland a chance at points before the break. The Terps were in field-goal range without a timeout when Tagovailoa threw a checkdown to Antwain Littleton II, who was tackled in bounds as time expired in the first half with the score tied at 10.

Ohio State flipped Tagovailoa’s second interception into a field goal that gave the Buckeyes their first lead at 20-17 before pulling away in the fourth quarter.

“It was just us not doing our assignments to the letter and detail of it, myself included,” Tagovailoa said. “We’ve just got to play harder, and those are the opportunities that we’ve got to come through on.”

The Illini (2-4, 0-3) left a bevy of points on the field in their 20-7 loss to Nebraska last Friday.

Illinois faced third-and-goal from the 1-yard line on its opening drive but was stuffed on back-to-back plays as the Cornhuskers took over on downs. The offense failed on fourth down again on its final drive of the game to cap a frustrating night that featured an interception, a fumble, three turnovers on downs and a missed field goal.

The Illini’s woeful offense spoiled their sturdy defensive showing. Illinois held Nebraska to three points in the second half and forced three straight turnovers in the fourth quarter, but the Illini offense converted none of those takeaways into points.

“You don’t shrug off the pissed-off feeling. The pissed-off feeling fuels the work,” said Illinois linebacker Dylan Rosiek, who tallied a season-high 10 tackles in the setback. “The season’s not over. We have to keep building and keep doing what we’re doing, but we have to be doing it better.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) reacts after running for a touchdown during the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland improves to 5-0 with rout of Indiana

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Taulia Tagovailoa fueled the quick-strike offense of Maryland, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes as the Terps rolled to a 44-17 Big Ten win over visiting Indiana on Saturday in College Park, Md.

Tagovailoa completed 24 of 34 passes for 352 yards without an interception. He also ran for a score and facilitated a career performance from Tai Felton, a junior who made his first three touchdown catches this season.

The defense of Maryland (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) also excelled, helping the Terps to their quickest start since 2001. It also is their first 2-0 start in the Big Ten since joining the league in 2014.

Indiana (2-3, 0-2) dominated time of possession, 38:04 to 21:56, but didn’t get into the end zone until the fourth quarter.

The Terps scored on three of their first four possessions and needed just six plays to do it.

Their first touchdown came 25 seconds into the game when Felton caught a 13-yard touchdown pass, two plays after Tagovailoa and Jones hooked up for 62 yards on the game’s first snap.

After a short punt and a penalty on the Hoosiers, it took Tagovailoa and Felton just one play to connect for a 29-yard touchdown and a 14-3 lead.

A 23-yard punt return by Jones put Maryland back in scoring position and two plays later, Tagovailoa sprinted 19 yards on a read-option touchdown run and a 21-3 lead.

In the final minute of the first half, Tagovailoa threw a 9-yard touchdown pass over the middle to Felton for a 27-3 lead.

Felton nearly had a fourth touchdown grab but his 46-yard reception of an underthrown Tagovailoa pass set up a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Wade for a 37-3 lead.

Felton finished with 134 yards on seven receptions, both career highs. Jones caught six for 121 yards.

Indiana’s Tayven Jackson finished with 17 completions in 29 attempts for 113 yards and one interception.

Brendan Sorsby came off the bench in the fourth quarter for the Hoosiers and threw the first two touchdown passes of his college career. He completed 7 of 11 passes for 84 yards.

Now comes the hard part for Maryland as three of its next six games come against Big Ten teams who entered Saturday ranked in the top six.

— Field Level Media

Sep 23, 2023; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Chance Rucker (25) chases Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) out of the pocket in the first quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland too much for Spartans

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Taulia Tagovailoa passed for 223 yards and three touchdowns and undefeated Maryland took advantage of turnovers to secure a 31-9 win over Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich.

Tagovailoa also scored a rushing touchdown for Maryland (4-0, 1-0) in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Spartans starting quarterback Noah Kim completed 18 of 33 passes for 190 yards and one touchdown. He was also picked off twice. The Spartans committed five turnovers.

Michigan State (2-2) has lost twice since head coach Mel Tucker was suspended amid sexual harassment allegations.

Maryland grabbed a 21-3 halftime lead.

Beau Brade picked off a Kim pass on Michigan State’s opening possession. Maryland then drove 45 yards to take a 7-0 lead. Tagovailoa tossed a 1-yard pass to Sean Greeley for the score.

The Spartans moved all the way to the Terrapins’ 1-yard line on their next possession but on fourth down, Nate Carter (97 yards) was stopped for a 4-yard loss by Fa’Najae Gotay.

Maryland then used an 11-play drive to take a two-touchdown lead. Colby McDonald had a 25-yard run to set up a 12-yard scoring pass from Tagovailoa to Tyrese Chambers.

The Terrapins took advantage of another Spartans giveaway for their next touchdown. Carter fumbled and Donnell Brown recovered at the Spartans’ 32-yard line. Tagovailoa’s 22-yard pass to Octavian Smith Jr. set up the quarterback’s 1-yard scoring plunge.

Jonathan Kim put the Spartans on the board with a 37-yard field goal.

Michigan State cut Maryland’s advantage to 21-9 during the third quarter on Noah Kim’s 9-yard scoring pass to Tyrell Henry. Kim had a 33-yard completion to Jaron Glover during the drive and Carter contributed a 19-yard run.

The Terrapins increased their lead to 24-9 when Jack Howes converted a 48-yard field-goal attempt.

Quarterback Katin Houser led the Spartans deep into Maryland territory but was picked off by Tarheeb Still at the Terrapins 9-yard line with 5:48 left.

Tagovailoa hooked up with Smith on a 31-yard scoring pass on a fourth-down play for a 22-point lead.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State's Noah Kim throws a pass against Washington during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Michigan State hosts Maryland, aims to rebound from on- and off-field woes

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The ugliness going on behind the scenes at Michigan State spilled onto the football field last weekend.

The Spartans will try to bounce back from that woeful on-field performance when they open their Big Ten season against undefeated Maryland at East Lansing, Mich., Saturday.

Michigan State served notice on Monday to suspended head coach Mel Tucker that it intends to fire him for cause. Accusations of sexual harassment by Tucker surfaced the previous week.

The Spartans (2-1) were pummeled at home 41-7 by No. 8 Washington last Saturday. Their defense was shredded for 713 total yards, including 536 passing.

“We got our butts kicked,” Michigan State interim coach Harlon Barnett said. “Now, how do we improve from that and get better from that?”

Barnett summed it up in simple terms.

“The word I’ve been focused on this week is discipline,” he said. “If we’re disciplined, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to play a much better ballgame — less penalties, substitution errors, things like that.”

Quarterback Noah Kim was held to 136 passing yards and was intercepted for the first time this season by the Huskies.

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has been picked off twice this season but also has completed 66.7 percent of his throws, including five touchdowns. He threw for 342 yards and a touchdown in a 42-14 victory over Virginia last week.

Tagovailoa passed for 314 yards and a touchdown in Maryland’s 27-13 victory over the Spartans last season.

The Terrapins (3-0) have outscored their three nonconference opponents 118-40 this season, but coach Mike Locksley said he hasn’t been overly impressed.

“We made it through our nonconference schedule,” he said. “We did what was necessary, but we also realize the things we did in those three games aren’t sufficient because we’re still a work in progress.”

Maryland gave up two touchdowns to Virginia in the first quarter, then scored 42 unanswered points. The previous week, Charlotte took a 14-0 lead before the Terps won 38-20.

“I’d like to see us get back to our standard of starting fast and finishing strong,” Locksley said.

–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

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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