On the brink of bowl-eligibility elimination, Maryland football began its Saturday matinee against No. 18 Michigan with its hair on fire. The fire went out on just the second drive, though, as the Terps punted from Wolverine territory after getting stuffed on third-and-5.
The very next play, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood floated a pass too high under pressure. The ball landed in Lavain Scruggs’ lap, who began running before securing the catch. The safety attempted to reposition the ball and it popped
loose, falling to the ground. All Scruggs could do was hold his head.
The Terps had several opportunities to keep the game close against the Wolverines. Instead, Maryland let Michigan run off to a 45-20 victory, securing the Terps’ second straight losing season.
Maryland was aggressive early — a break from season-long tendency — executing perhaps its best drive of the season. After completing a shot down the field to Shaleak Knotts, Washington scrambled on a double-reverse flea flicker and entered the red zone.
Locksley’s willingness to pull out all the stops became most apparent when, after Dorian Fleming’s touchdown, the Terps opted for an onside kick. The final bounce fell away from Maryland and the Wolverines marched down to score — but the Terps had shown their intent.
But then, Maryland had the chance to flip the game entirely twice. They failed both times.
After their third-and-5 run was stuffed, the Terps found themselves on Michigan’s 45-yard line — a doable fourth-down which could have positively changed the game. Instead, they punted, a complete reversal in philosophy.
The ensuing drop from Scruggs was even more costly than it initially seemed. Later on that drive, cornerback La’khi Roland left the game injured and didn’t return.
Michigan eventually took the lead through third-string running back Bryson Kuzdzal, who punched in a 2-yard score. Kuzdzal had a breakout game with the Wolverines’ top two backs — Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall — out for the game. Kuzdzal finished with 100 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries.
In the battle between two promising freshmen quarterbacks, Washington had bad moments — a sailed slant was picked by Michigan and quickly turned into a touchdown, and slow footwork on a scramble turned Fleming into a defender, batting down a would-be pick.
But, by and large, Washington’s first half looked improved from previous weeks. Despite those efforts, Maryland’s last two drives of the half were a succinct encapsulation of the season.
The Terps hit the red zone, and an open pass in the end zone slipped through Jalil Farooq’s fingers on first down. Former Terp Jaishawn Barham made an all-important sack on third down, holding the Terps to a field goal.
Maryland next got the ball, down 28-10. A flea-flicker attempt from Octavian Smith Jr. deep into the drive was ambitious, but it fell short. The magic had run out. A sack, this time from edge rusher Derrick Moore, again stalled a drive in the red zone. Maryland was forced into another chip-shot field goal.
Both freshmen quarterbacks were pulled early in the fourth quarter. Playing with much of the first-team offense, Khristian Martin made an inch-perfect pass to Jalil Farooq that was caught, fumbled and recovered for a touchdown. Michigan just continued to run the ball — Maryland gave up at least 193 yards on the ground for the sixth straight game.
Michigan continued running up the score, chewing clock and sending most fans in red packing well before the game’s completion. The 45 points the Wolverines scored were their second-most in a game against a power conference opponent in the last two seasons.
Three things to know
1. Michigan extended drives, Maryland didn’t. The Wolverines went 8-of-9 from third down in the first half — and the only failure was because of individual brilliance from Jamare Glasker, who perfectly diagnosed the play and put his body on the line to make the stop. They finished 12 for 14 on third downs, while the Terps went 5 for 14.
2. Pass protection fails. One of Maryland’s best traits as a team was their ability to keep Washington on his feet. Entering the game, Washington had been sacked just four times. Michigan got him on the ground thrice.
3. Senior day sorrow. The Terps have now lost their seventh straight game, tying their second-longest streak under Locksley. The first came in 2019, Locksley’s first season on the job. The true seniors will graduate having won just five conference games in the Shell.
