Tagovailoa excels at Rutgers, helping grant Maryland football bowl eligibility
(Photograph Courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
Maryland had something massive to play for and, for the beginning fourth dimension in weeks, in that location was a considerable adventure to have the win.
The Terps had met their much-anticipated equal in Rutgers. And with a lively operation from quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, they as well nabbed their long-awaited sixth victory and bowl game berth for the start time since 2022 on a, 40-xvi scoreline.
"I came hither to build a program that our quondam players [and] that all of our fans could be really, really proud of," head double-decker Michael Locksley said. "This is just i stride. Nosotros talked about taking the side by side step, and that's being basin eligible. Then the next step for u.s.a. is to build upon what nosotros've established — the culture, the identity."
The season-extending win featured some of the authorization Maryland had not been familiar with since the flavour began. The Terps' offense was bustling, and the results were clear on the scoreboard, where Maryland led the unabridged game.
Maryland quickly took heed of its unique opportunity and scored two touchdowns to open the contest. Tagovailoa was an improved version of the quarterback who struggled on senior day. He spotted open up teammates, maintained a superb completion percent and didn't turn the ball over.
It immune him to account for all of Maryland'due south start half points, throw for well over 200 yards and enter the showtime half break with a 20-two lead. While on his way to another efficient private functioning, he managed to intermission a coveted tape.
An 18-g strike to Rakim Jarrett, who benefited greatly from Tagovailoa'south outing, with seven catches for 111 yards, put the redshirt sophomore by former Terp quarterback Scott Milanovich (3,499 yards) for the nigh passing yards in a unmarried flavor. Jarrett's outstretched hands corralled a teardrop authentic laissez passer in a crowded corner that exemplified Tagovailoa's afternoon.
Only the offense, as has been the case all flavor, came in ebbs and flows. The Terps mustered just 24 yards of full offense after Maryland's 2d touchdown concluded with a blocked and returned PAT. The drought ended with Tagovailoa'due south first rushing touchdown, only briefly continued when Maryland stalled in the red zone merely before the end of the second quarter.
Jarrett grabbed Tagovailoa's record-breaking ball and set Maryland at the one yard line, but the Terps lost substantial yardage through poorly executed plays. After a failed goal-line run, Tagovailoa was sacked on the following play and fumbled on the next. Upon recovering the fumble, with less than 10 seconds to go, the Terps special teams unit rushed onto the turf only to miss the field goal.
Tagovailoa and the offense readjusted immediately after the halftime intermission. The Scarlet Knights began registering their commencement touchdowns of the afternoon, but the Terps continued to protect their double-digit lead with scores of their own — rapidly making their way to a four possession lead.
"One affair that nosotros did a adept job today as players, and coaches helped too, was but getting back to neutral," receiver Brian Cobbs said. "We'd have a big drive, have a score or whatever it'southward 0-0. Reset the scoreboard in your caput … and just keep it competitive."
In the second half, Tagovailoa threw for his third touchdown, eclipsed 300 yards (for his seventh 300-1000 game of the season) and began putting the finishing touches on his masterful afternoon.
Tagovailoa ended with 21-xxx completion, four total touchdowns, 312 yards and zip turnovers.
Against a defense touted for its ability to stop teams on 3rd downward, Tagovailoa helped Maryland thrive in third down situations (9-for-15 conversions). Visiting a squad that maintains a defensive identity, Tagovailoa darted his way upwards and down the field and made few mistakes, and maintained 70% completion and kept possession, opening upwardly the running game. Tayon Armada-Davis took the bulk of the backfield touches and rushed for a career best, 152 g, two touchdown outing.
"[I'm] really proud of the guys, really, really proud of their endeavor and looking forward to developing our team with this basin opportunity that we have," Locksley said.
Source: http://wmucsports.net/tagovailoa-excels-rutgers-bowl-eligibility-maryland-football/
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