COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — A back-and-forth game that featured comebacks by both teams, a dozen touchdowns and more than 1,100 yards in offense seemed destined to reach a second overtime before ending abruptly on — of all things — a botched conversion kick.
Minnesota's Brock Walker sent an extra-point try wide right after the potential tying touchdown, giving Maryland a stunning 45-44 comeback victory Friday night.
After the Terrapins rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to force overtime, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa ran for a 2-yard touchdown and Joseph Peterino kicked the extra point to give the Terrapins — who came in as 19-point underdogs — a 45-38 lead.
Minnesota answered with a 2-yard touchdown run by Seth Green before Walker's extra-point try went awry to end this Big Ten duel and launch a wild celebration by the Terrapins, who jubilantly sprinted across the field, seemingly uncaring that they had no fans with whom they could share the moment.
Never in school history had Maryland won after trailing by 17 points in the fourth quarter.
"It feels good to get a win," Maryland coach Michael Locksley said. "These players have been through so much. With all the things and adversity this team has faced, its great and rewarding for them to be able to feel what success feels like."
It was a bitter end for the Golden Gophers (0-2), who had turned a 21-7 deficit into a 38-21 lead late in the third quarter.
"We just have to be able to be resilient and develop that thick skin, to be able to take it and swallow it and respond," quarterback Tanner Morgan said. "Because I can guarantee you we will respond."
Tagovailoa went 26 for 35 for 394 yards and three touchdowns in his second college start. He also ran for 59 yards and two scores to help the Terrapins (1-1) bounce back from a season-opening 43-3 loss to Northwestern.
He became the first Maryland quarterback to throw for 300 yards since Caleb Rowe against Virginia in 2013.
Jake Funk ran for a career-best 221 yards, and Maryland totaled a whopping 675 yards of offense.
"Our team has put in a lot of time, and to win like that on a Friday night, it's exactly what our team needed," Funk said.
Mohamed Ibrahim ran for 207 yards and a career-high four touchdowns on 41 carries for Minnesota, which was bounced from the Top 25 with a season-opening loss to Michigan.
