Terrapins Close Spring Practice with Red-White Game
4/27/2019 4:12:00 PM | Football
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Two early touchdowns scored by Anthony McFarland Jr. and Javon Leake were the difference as the red team topped the white team, 28-17, in Maryland's annual spring game Saturday.
The game concludes the spring portion of Maryland's schedule, which featured 14 practices prior to Saturday's game.
"What a great day to play football," head coach Michael Locksley said. "Having it on Maryland Day and seeing that it was a pretty great turnout for what we've had here in the spring. I appreciate the fan support, former players and a bunch of recruits who came out to see the unveiling of the 2019 Terps Football team.
"I'm excited about the turnout, I liked the energy that our team gave today and we're excited to move forward and finish up the next phase. Finish up this semester strong academically and then get into our summer program as we head into the 2019 season."
McFarland found the end zone off a 34-yard run 2:10 into the game to open the scoring. Just 3:03 into the second quarter, Leake got around the edge to grab the pylon for the score and a 14-0 lead.
Tyler DeSue was voted the Boomer Esiason Spring Game Most Valuable Player. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Chigoziem Okonkwo and Max Bortenschlager teamed up for a pair of touchdown passes for the white team. Tight ends caught four touchdown passes total.
"I thought both quarterbacks operated well," Locksley said. "Obviously, Tyler [DeSue] was voted MVP of the game by you guys — the media — it's kind of what we saw most of the spring from him. He's a guy who has the ability to operate the system. He makes pretty good decisions and choices. I also thought Max [Bortenschlager] did some good things, but obviously didn't lead them to a win."
Okonkwo scored his first touchdown on the day off a 4-yard pass from Bortenschlager to put the white team on the board just over a minute before halftime. Red took a 14-7 lead into the break.
Red and white traded scores throughout the second half. To start the third quarter, white capped off a 68-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal by Paul Inzerillo to cut the red team's lead to 14-10.
Red responded with a 23-yard pass from DeSue to Robert Schwob to go up 21-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.
With 10 seconds left in the third quarter, Okonkwo and Bortenschlager teamed up for their second touchdown of the day, a 16-yard pass to cut red's lead to 21-17.
Desue threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Michael Cornwell for the final score of the day with 8:55 to go.
Deon Jones and Ayinde Eley led with eight total tackles each, six solo.
Jaelyn Duncan was named the Bob Ward Most Valuable Lineman after the game. At halftime, Locksley was recognized as the winner of the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the country for the 2018 season.
Maryland opens its 2019 season on Saturday, August 31 at home against Howard. For more information on the season, follow @TerpsFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and for details on purchasing tickets, click here.
The game concludes the spring portion of Maryland's schedule, which featured 14 practices prior to Saturday's game.
"What a great day to play football," head coach Michael Locksley said. "Having it on Maryland Day and seeing that it was a pretty great turnout for what we've had here in the spring. I appreciate the fan support, former players and a bunch of recruits who came out to see the unveiling of the 2019 Terps Football team.
"I'm excited about the turnout, I liked the energy that our team gave today and we're excited to move forward and finish up the next phase. Finish up this semester strong academically and then get into our summer program as we head into the 2019 season."
McFarland found the end zone off a 34-yard run 2:10 into the game to open the scoring. Just 3:03 into the second quarter, Leake got around the edge to grab the pylon for the score and a 14-0 lead.
Tyler DeSue was voted the Boomer Esiason Spring Game Most Valuable Player. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns.
Chigoziem Okonkwo and Max Bortenschlager teamed up for a pair of touchdown passes for the white team. Tight ends caught four touchdown passes total.
"I thought both quarterbacks operated well," Locksley said. "Obviously, Tyler [DeSue] was voted MVP of the game by you guys — the media — it's kind of what we saw most of the spring from him. He's a guy who has the ability to operate the system. He makes pretty good decisions and choices. I also thought Max [Bortenschlager] did some good things, but obviously didn't lead them to a win."
Okonkwo scored his first touchdown on the day off a 4-yard pass from Bortenschlager to put the white team on the board just over a minute before halftime. Red took a 14-7 lead into the break.
Red and white traded scores throughout the second half. To start the third quarter, white capped off a 68-yard drive with a 24-yard field goal by Paul Inzerillo to cut the red team's lead to 14-10.
Red responded with a 23-yard pass from DeSue to Robert Schwob to go up 21-10 with 3:02 left in the third quarter.
With 10 seconds left in the third quarter, Okonkwo and Bortenschlager teamed up for their second touchdown of the day, a 16-yard pass to cut red's lead to 21-17.
Desue threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Michael Cornwell for the final score of the day with 8:55 to go.
Deon Jones and Ayinde Eley led with eight total tackles each, six solo.
Jaelyn Duncan was named the Bob Ward Most Valuable Lineman after the game. At halftime, Locksley was recognized as the winner of the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the country for the 2018 season.
Maryland opens its 2019 season on Saturday, August 31 at home against Howard. For more information on the season, follow @TerpsFootball on Twitter and Instagram, and for details on purchasing tickets, click here.
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