Michigan Football defeats Maryland to set up showdown vs Ohio State

RB Bryson Kuzdzal’s 3 TDs helped Michigan Football defeat Maryland to set up a monster showdown against No. 1 Ohio State at the Big House next Satu...

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What is the story about?

The Michigan Wolverines may have been down several starters on both sides of the ball — including Jordan Marshall, Ernest Hausmann, Semaj Morgan and others — but they took care of business against the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday to set up a monster clash against No. 1 Ohio State at the Big House next weekend.

Here’s how it all went down.

First Quarter

Maryland’s offense came out swinging on the opening drive of the game. After a 29-yard pass from true freshman quarterback Malik Washington to wide receiver Shaleak

Knotts, Washington ran for gain of 13 yards to the Michigan eight yard line. On 4th-and-goal from the one, Washington found tight end Dorian Fleming in the end zone to cap off a 10-play, 75-yard opening drive. Maryland 7, Michigan 0

Maryland pulled a trick out of its hat, as the Terrapins elected to try and onside kick. Unfortunately for them, it failed and gave the Wolverines great field position at the Maryland 47 yard line.

Running back Bryson Kuzdzal, who started for the first time in his career with Jordan Marshall “available” but not playing in this game, got the ball the first five plays (one catch, four rushes) of the day for the Wolverines. The sixth play? A 12-yard pass from Bryce Underwood to wide receiver Andrew Marsh for a touchdown. Michigan 7, Maryland 7

After a punt by the Terrapins, Michigan’s offense went back to work and quickly faced a third down, but was able to convert via a pass from Underwood to Max Bredeson. Underwood hit Marsh for a 25-yard gain to get into Maryland territory, and then tight end Zack Marshall caught a pass for 20 yards to move Michigan into the red zone. The quarter came to an end with Michigan facing a third down at the Maryland five yard line.

End of Q1: Michigan 7, Maryland 7

Second Quarter

Kuzdzal converted the 3rd-and-short to set up the goal-to-go situation, and he took it in just one play later to complete the 12-play, 83-yard drive and to give the Wolverines their first lead of the game. Michigan 14, Maryland 7

On the ensuing Maryland drive, Washington threw an interception on third down to Michigan safety Mason Curtis to put the Wolverines’ offense right back on the field.

The Wolverines faced a 3rd-and-long of their own, but it ended in a much different result than Maryland’s. The Terps sent a blitz, and offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey dialed up a perfectly-timed screen to wide receiver Donaven McCulley, who housed it from 22 yards out. Michigan 21, Maryland 7

The Terrapins brought some energy on their next drive and picked up a few first downs and quickly got into Michigan territory. From the Michigan nine yard line facing a 3rd-and-4, Washington was sacked by former Terrapin Jaishawn Barham to force a field goal attempt. Michigan 21, Maryland 10

Underwood found McCulley for a 24-yard gain on the second play of Michigan’s next drive, and then Channing Goodwin got in on the action for a six-yard reception. Kuzdzal ran for a first down on 3rd-and-1, and Underwood moved the chains on a third down run of his own. But the drive stalled out in the red zone and Dominic Zvada subsequently missed a 38-yard field goal attempt to continue his struggles this season.

Maryland was able to pick up a few first downs on its ensuing possession, but eventually punted it away. With less than a minute remaining, Underwood found Marsh for 14 yards for a quick first down, but an Underwood sack and Sherrone Moore’s inability to ever use a timeout when it should be used resulted in no points at the end of the half.

HALFTIME: Michigan 21, Maryland 10

Third Quarter

Michigan started with solid field position at the 35 yard line after the opening kick of the half was sent out of bounds. A first-down throw to Marsh, and then a great touch pass to tight end Marlin Klein, set Michigan up in the red zone. And on the next play, Kuzdzal ran it in from 19 yards out to quickly get Michigan on the board. Michigan 28, Maryland 10

The Terrapins would have went three-and-out on their first drive of the second half, but Cameron Brandt was flagged for roughing the passer to give Maryland newfound life. The Terps got all the way down to the six yard line before Tre Williams sacked Washington on 3rd-and-goal to set up another Maryland field goal. Michigan 28, Maryland 13

On the ensuing kick, Marsh made the best special teams played of the season for the Wolverines and returned it all the way to the Maryland 47 yard line. Kudzdal had a 12-yard run, and then Maryland was flagged for roughing the passer on Underwood on third down to keep Michigan’s drive going. Underwood got it down to the two yard line, and Kuzdzal punched it in on the next play for his third score of the game. Michigan 35, Maryland 13

Maryland was able to convert on one fourth down, but wasn’t able to convert on 4th-and-9 thanks to Derrick Moore sacking Washington to give Michigan the ball right back. Maryland edge rusher Zahir Mathis was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct and was ejected from the game for throwing a punch on the next play, giving Michigan even better field position at Maryland’s 22 yard line. A five-yard run by Underwood ended the quarter.

End of Q3: Michigan 35, Maryland 13

Fourth Quarter

Four straight runs from Jasper Parker resulted in his second touchdown of the season, this one coming from six yards out. Michigan 42, Maryland 13

Needing touchdowns to attempt and kind of comeback, Maryland went for it on fourth down at its own 38 yard line and failed to convert. Jadyn Davis took over for Underwood at quarterback on the ensuing drive and proceeded to hand off the ball on every single play of the drive. The Wolverines got three more points on the board via a Zvada 46-yard field goal. Michigan 45, Maryland 13

The Terrapins elected to play their backups at this point as well, including true freshman reserve quarterback Khristian Martin, who hilariously enough went 3-for-3 for 66 yards and a touchdown on the drive. Michigan 45, Maryland 20

Backup running back Tomas O’Meara (Snoop Dogg “WHO?!” gif) took it 37 yards down the left sideline on the first play of the ensuing drive. O’Meara then proceeded to run on every single play of this drive and kill the rest of the clock.