By Garin Turner
#4 Michigan Wolverines survived a scare and the first test of the season after blowing out its first three opponents 166-17 when they defeated the Maryland Terrapins 34-27. Both teams came into the game undefeated.
Michigan (4-0, 1-0 BIG-10) scored three seconds into the game after a muffed kickoff by the Terrapins to give them a 7-0. J.J. McCarthy’s first pass was a 10-yarder to Luke Schoonmaker. The Terrapins would go down the field before the drive stalled and connected on a 53-yard field goal for a 7-3 Wolverine lead.
Michigan would answer back with a 52-yard field goal before Maryland tied the game at 10 with 2:22 left in the first quarter on an Antwain Littleton II two-yard score. After a Michigan fumble, Maryland (3-1, 0-1 BIG-10) took the lead on another field goal, this time a 52-yarder.
Michigan would go for it on 4th and 1 and Blake Corum would score on a 33-yard run with 22 seconds left in the half giving Michigan a 17-13 lead. Early in the third quarter, Michigan would score again on a McCarthy 20-yard pass to Roman Wilson putting them up 24-13. The Terrapins would respond with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a four-yard TD pass from Taulia Tagovailoa to Tai Felton. Maryland went for a two-point conversion but it was intercepted with the score now at 24-19 Michigan.
The Wolverines would score 10 unanswered points including Corums second TD of the game, a 47-yard run. After an injury to Tagovailoa, backup Billy Edwards Jr. lead Maryland down the field on a 14-play, 75-yard drive and found CJ Dippre for an 18-yard score. They converted on a two-point conversion but couldn’t recover the onside kick.
Maryland’s three turnovers likely cost them the upset against Michigan. McCarthy finished 18/26 for 220 yards and two scores but also missed 3-4 open WRs on deep passes. Corumfinished with 30 carries for 243 yards and two scores. No other Wolverine had more than five yards rushing.
Schoonmaker finished with seven receptions for 72 yards and the score. Ronnie Bell had three receptions also for 72 yards and a score.
Tagovailoa was 20/30 for 207 yards and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions. Littleton II carried eight times for 39 yards and the score.
UP NEXT
Michigan: The Wolverines hit the road for the first time this season as they face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Oct. 1.
Maryland: The Terrapins are home for their next contest against Michigan State on Oct. 1.
