We know Maryland has been living its best no BCE life this season with nary a complaint, b*tch or excuse to be seen.
But Saturday afternoon at Maryland Stadium the Terps brought were pro BCE in their 37-9 win over Kent State – Big Catch Energy that is, thanks to junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who finished the day 31-41 for 384-yards and three touchdowns. One lone interception marred his perfect stat line, but his record-setting play more than made up for the errant toss that led to Kent State’s 35-yard field goal to start the day.
Tagovailoa averaged an impressive 16.2 yards per completion and targeted a record 12 receivers with junior Jeshaun Jones leading the way with five catches for 78 yards. Dontay Demus Jr. was close behind with four catches for team-high 108 yards and one touchdown. The other two TD’s were grabbed by sophomores Corey Dyches and Rakim Jarrett. That was Dyches first career touchdown.
“I thought our quarterback really showed command,” said Maryland head coach Mike Locklsley after the game. “I thought our quarterback was playing at a high-level. Obviously, the turnover there with the tipped interception was disappointing but you know, he’s been incredibly efficient at running what we want to get run on offense. I think he’ll continue to get better.”
Maryland’s run game added a bit of balance with redshirt-senior Tayon Fleet-Davis leading the charge, finishing with seven carries for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
The Golden Flashes had their moments but couldn’t seem to get out of their own way, turning the ball over on downs twice and fumbling away the football. Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum finished 19-33 for a respectable 308-yards and one touchdown to wide receiver Dante Cephas. The redshirt-sophomore led the team, finishing with 10 catches for 151 yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch.
But Maryland’s defense held Crum & Co. to just 4-16 on third down and 2-6 on fourth down. The Terps finished with 74 total tackles and sacked Crum five times.
Maryland’s play wasn’t entirely perfect – the Terps racked up 9 penalties for 120 yards and Locksley expressed his frustration with the undisciplined play.
“We’ve got a locker room full of guys that are happy we won, but not happy with the way we played and we know we can play better,” said Locksley after the game. “It’s my job to get us to play better and we’ll get that thing turned around.”
The best moment of the game came when Kent State kicker Andrew Glass faked a field goal and ran it in for a touchdown that was eventually, sadly called back. Glass was 3-3 on the day with makes from 35, 32 and 37-yards. The freshman kicker led the team with nine points.
Maryland improves to 4-0, 3-0 at home and will host Big Ten powerhouse Iowa Saturday. Ken State heads home to host Bowling Green next weekend.
Written by Emily Van Buskirk
