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Things Go The Terps' Way In Maryland's Big 42-10 Win Over The Virginia Tech Hokies

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Football

In a game that saw a long-standing rivalry renewed, Maryland defeated Virginia 42-14 on Friday evening at SECU Stadium to move to 3-0 for the third straight season. It's Maryland's largest win in the series since 1986, a 42-10 win.

In front of an enthusiastic 'Black Out' crowd, Maryland won its 11th consecutive non-conference game as the team debuted its new script Terps black helmets and uniforms.

For the second week in a row, Maryland rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit, this time scoring 42 unanswered points to take control of the game. Taulia Tagovailoa's 64-yard bomb to Jeshaun Jones put the Terps in front for the first time, 21-14, with 9:47 left in the third quarter.

Tonight marked the first time the former ACC foes met since 2013 and the 79th time overall, the most meetings of any team the Terps have played. Maryland now leads the series 45-32-2 and has won four of the last five against the Cavaliers.

Tagovailoa threw for 342 yards on 19-of-30 with a touchdown. It was the 13th 300-yard passing game of his career.

Jones had five catches for 96 yards with that long touchdown. The Terps also got four touchdowns on the ground from three different running backs: Roman Hemby (two), Antwain Littleton II and Colby McDonald.

The Terps' defense buckled down after the first quarter, holding the Cavaliers scoreless for the game's final 49:16. Maryland had a third-quarter shutout for the 10th time in 16 games, allowing just 2.3 points per game dating back to last season. Tarheeb Still's interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter – his first of two in the game – preserved the Terps lead and thwarted the Cavaliers' chance to tie the game. Donnell Brown picked off a pass for the second week in a row, also in the fourth quarter. The Terps had three fourth-quarter interceptions as well a forced fumble.

In three games this season, Maryland is outscoring opponents 67-9 in the second half.

"Once again, we responded...Our defense did a tremendous job with a shutout the last three quarters and getting the ball back to our offense with those turnovers. Offensively, we were able to manufacture some explosive plays, which if you look at our skillset that's what we expect. And then obviously, anytime a special teams play can set up a score or score, it's huge..It's always good to be able to make corrections after a win. I can tell you we're still not playing our best football, but yet we're able to outscore our opponents 69-7 after the first quarter the last couple of games and that's a tremendous sign for us as a program. We're going to build off this and get ready for conference play. It's always tough in the Big Ten on the road so we have our work cut out for us but I know we're looking forward to getting in here on Monday and to put this one behind us."
Coach Locksley

Breaking Down The Action

  • After Virginia scored the first two touchdowns of the evening, Braeden Wisloski took a kickoff return 98 yards to the house to make it 14-7. It was Wisloski's first career touchdown and it marked the first time a Terp returned a kickoff for a touchdown since Javon Leake had a 97-yard score against Michigan on Nov. 2, 2019. 
  • The Terps knotted it at 14 apiece with 1:23 to go in the first half as they put together a methodical 14-play, 97-yard drive capped off by a three-yard rush from Hemby. 
  • Maryland took the lead on its first drive after halftime as Tagovailoa hit Jones for a 64-yard touchdown bomb down the right sideline. 
  • The Cavaliers were threatening in the red zone to begin the fourth quarter but Tarheeb Still picked off Anthony Colandrea in the end zone to keep it a 21-14 game. 
  • Hemby doubled the Terps lead with 11:10 remaining in the game with his second three-yard dive of the evening. The Terps drove 80 yards in nine plays on that drive, highlighted by a 33-yard reception for Preston Howard. 
  • On the ensuing drive, Donnell Brown picked off a pass for the second straight week, setting up a quick three-play drive that ended in a Littleton touchdown. 
  • Still got his second interception of the night on the next drive and the Terps turned the turnover into points for the third consecutive time as McDonald scored.  
  • The Terps got their fourth and final turnover of the night on a fumble with 3:19 remaining as Tre'Darius Colbert forced and recovered a fumble. 

Renewing The Rivalry

  • This was the 79th time Maryland and Virginia went head to head with Maryland leading the overall series, 45-32-2. The Cavaliers are the only team that the Terrapins have played more than 70 games against. Maryland has now won four of the last five against Virginia dating back to 2010 and is 22-13-2 all-time at home against the Cavs. 
  • This week's game against Virginia was the first time the Terps and Cavaliers have faced off since Maryland's last season in the ACC in 2013, where the Terps defeated Virginia, 27-26, behind 332 passing yards from Caleb Rowe. 

Taulia Adds To His Records 

  • Tagovailoa continued to add to his career passing yardage today with 342 in the game as he now has 8,768 in his career. The quarterback holds the Maryland career records for passing yards, passing touchdowns (56), total touchdowns (65), completions (731), completion percentage (67.4), 300-yard passing games (13), passing efficiency (146.2) and total offense (8,972). 

Wisloski's Kickoff Return For TD 

  • Wisloski's 98-yard kickoff return for touchdown was the first by a Terp since Javon Leake – currently with the Edmonton Elks in the CFL – had a 97-yard kickoff return vs. Michigan on Nov. 2, 2019. It is also the longest kickoff return since Leake equaled a school record with a 100-yard return at Rutgers on Oct. 5, 2019. 

Defense Getting It Done In Second Half

  • The Terps once again had a stellar defensive showing in the second half, allowing just shutting out Virginia in the second half. 
  • Over the last 16 games (covering the 2022 season and first three games of the 2023 season), Maryland has only allowed 36 points in the third quarter (2.3 per game). 
  • In those 16 games, Maryland has shutout the opponent 10 times in the third quarter. 
  • The improvement in the third quarter on defense is significant as in 2021, the Terps allowed 115 points for 8.8 per game. 
  • The defense has been stout in second halves in that span, allowing 122 points in those 16 games for 7.6 per game. 
  • Maryland had three interceptions – all in the fourth quarter – its most in a game since having five against Rutgers on Oct. 13, 2018. In that game, Darnell Savage had two interceptions, the last time a Terp had multiple picks in a game. 
  • The four forced turnovers overall (3 interceptions, 1 fumble) were the most in a game since also forcing four total against West Virginia on Sept. 4, 2021.

Notes and Nuggets

  • Maryland won its 22nd straight game when leading after three quarters.
  • The Terps won their 18th game in a row when committing no turnovers.
  • Maryland has now won four straight games against ACC teams.
  • Kaden Prather's 43-yard reception in the second quarter was the longest of his career, bettering a 40-yard touchdown last week vs. Charlotte. 
  • Fa'Najae Gotay had the first full sack of his career with a massive 16-yard sack for loss in the third quarter. 
  • Tight end Preston Howard had his first career reception with a 33-yard catch, hurdle and run in the fourth quarter. 

The Terps will open Big Ten play at Michigan State next Saturday at 3:30 p.m., in a game that air on NBC and the Maryland Sports Radio Network. It will be the Terps' first road game of the season.