COLLEGE PARK, MD -- The Terps are bowl eligible on the earliest date in more than 20 years after a 31-24 victory over Northwestern on Homecoming at SECU Stadium. This is the second consecutive year the Terps (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) have reached bowl eligibility.
On the first play after Northwestern scored to tie the game at 24-24, Roman Hemby broke off a career-long 75-yard touchdown run with 3:22 left to play to put the Terps ahead for good.
Beau Brade came up with a big interception on the Wildcats' ensuing drive to seal the victory. With the win, Maryland moved to 6-2 overall for the first time since the 2010 season. Northwestern is now 1-6 and 1-3 in the Big Ten.
Hemby rushed for a career-high 179 yards, his fourth-career 100-yard game, and scored three touchdowns in the Terrapins' victory. His three rushing TDs in a game are the most by a Terp since Javon Leake had three rushing TDs vs. Illinois in 2018. His rushing total was the most by a Terp since Jake Funk had 180 vs. Rutgers in 2020.
Maryland scored 17 unanswered points after falling behind 17-7 late in the second quarter to take a 24-17 lead before the Wildcats tied it.
With record-setting signal caller Taulia Tagovailoa sidelined due to injury, redshirt freshman Billy Edwards Jr., drew his first-career start at quarterback. Edwards Jr., threw for 166 yards on 18-of-28 passing and a touchdown while rushing for 66 yards.
Receiver Rakim Jarrett had a season-high eight catches with 82 receiving yards and a go-ahead touchdown grab in the third quarter. His reception total was the highest by a Terp in a game this season.
The Terp defense came up big in the third quarter yet again, getting a key interception from Dante Trader Jr. and holding the Wildcats scoreless in the period. Maryland has only allowed 10 total points in the third quarter all season, tied for the third-lowest amount in the FBS. Gereme Spraggins had a career-high eight tackles and a TFL. Jakorian Bennett, Ahmad McCullough, and Tarheeb Still each added six tackles.
In scoring 31 points, the Terps added to their school record for most consecutive games with 27 or more points in 10 consecutive games, dating to last season's final two games. They have also won 16 games in a row when scoring 30 or more points.
Coach Michael Locksley's Takes
"Credit to Pat (Fitzgerald), for having Northwestern ready to play. Hard-fought game, fourth-quarter game, which is what we expect in Big Ten play. We don't always make it easy on ourselves, but I'm proud of the way this team continues to show the culture and the ability to persevere. Battling back once again, I'm really proud of that in terms of the type of culture we've developed inside that locker room. We're 6-2, something for our team to be really proud of. Becoming bowl eligible, this team, this fan base should be really proud of being able to get that accomplished. What it does now is it earns us the opportunity every week to take the next step and the opportunities get better and better."
"Playing with a bunch of missing pieces out there today shows the growth and the depth that we've created via recruiting and the way we're developing our young team. We saw a bunch of young guys step up and play big and it starts with our quarterback. Billy came in and really did a tremendous job of leading us and doing the things he's been coached to do…Really excited for the team and for our fan base. The alums showed up today and it's always great when we get a chance to see former players and former students come back. To get a win on Homecoming is big."
Player's Perspectives
"It's a simple play that we worked on all week in practice and it was the perfect time to run it in the game," Hemby said of his game-winning touchdown run. "We saw the front that we wanted and I just came through the mesh. The linemen got their blocks, the wide receivers worked to the secondary to get their blocks. I just had to run and beat two people and I was able to out-run the guys on the edges and score a touchdown."
"We came out in the second half and I made sure I talked to every single position group," Trader said of the defense's mindset coming into a dominant second half performance. "I was like, 'Let's go. We got to turn up. We're going to play Maryland football, have some juice, have some energy.' We ran on and off the field, we celebrated together and we were able to come out with a dub."
Breaking Down The Action
- Brendan Sullivan's one-yard rushing touchdown with 2:54 remaining in the first quarter gave the Wildcats an early 7-0 lead.
- The Terps equalized just over a minute into the second stanza. Edwards connected with Corey Dyches for a big 28-yard gain and Roman Hemby capped off the 12-play, 87-yard scoring drive with a 14-yard scamper, knotting the game at 7-7.
- Northwestern scored the next 10 points, but Chad Ryland added a 20-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the first half to bring the score to 17-10.
- Dante Trader Jr. kicked off the second half with a momentum-swinging interception and a 24-yard return, giving the Terps possession on their own 46-yard line.
- Maryland capitalized off the turnover and scored a quick touchdown as Hemby darted straight up the middle for 18 yards, tying the game at 17 apiece.
- The Terps grabbed their first lead of the game and went ahead 24-17 with 1:07 left in the third quarter when Edwards found Jarrett open down the field for a 30-yard touchdown reception, bringing their streak of unanswered points to 17.
- Northwestern drew even at 24 with 3:34 remaining with a nine-yard rushing touchdown from Andrew Clair, setting up Hemby's game-winning score.
Winning Ways
- In becoming bowl eligible on Oct. 22, 2022, the Terps are bowl eligible on the earliest calendar date in 21 years since they become bowl eligible on Oct. 11, 2001, on the way to the ACC Championship that season,
- In becoming bowl eligible in the eighth game of the season, Maryland is now 6-2 for the first time since the 2010 season, when it became bowl eligible on Oct. 30, 2010.
- Maryland beat Northwestern for the first time in program history, dropping the only two prior meetings in 2017 and 2020.
Happy Homecomings
- The Terps have now won three consecutive homecoming games.
- Overall, the Terps are 61-35-4 in their 100 Homecomings.
Roman's Reign
- Running back Roman Hemby continued to put up huge numbers. The freshman ran for 179 yards, his fourth 100-yard game this season, on 24 carries.
- He also ran for a career-high three touchdowns.
- With seven rushing touchdowns, Hemby now leads all Big Ten freshmen in that category.
- His 179 yards are the most by any Terp sincd Jake Funk rushed for 180 in the 2020 season finale vs. Rutgers.
- With three rushing touchdowns (14, 18, 75), its the first time a Terp scored three rushing TDs in a game since Javon Leake had three (64, 27, 43) against Illinois on Oct. 27, 2018.
- Hemby's game-sealing 75-yard touchdown run was the longest by a Terp since Anthony McFarland had an 80-yard rush against Rutgers on Oct. 5, 2019.
- Hemby also has four rushes of more than 40 yards this season. Overall, the Terps have 11 plays of more than 40 yards with six rushes of more than 40 yards.
Edwards Draws The Start
- With Taulia Tagovailoa sidelined due to injury, redshirt freshman Billy Edwards Jr., drew his first-career start at quarterback on Saturday.
- Edwards, who had played in four previous games in relief of Tagovailoa, completed 18-of-28 for 166 yards. He also ran for 66 yards on 16 carries. He gained 101 net rushing yards, but lost 35 on sacks and runs from scrimmage on 16 carries.
- "It was a really cool experience," Edwards said of his start as a Terp. "When I walked out there on the first snap and they announced I was starting and my back was to the student section, to feel all of them, all the energy, all the fans, it was definitely a cool experience. When I entered the portal, I made the decision to come here to stay close to home and get a chance to play Division I football and reach all my dreams and goals that I set for myself both on and off the field at the University of Maryland. It was definitely a surreal experience."
Third-Quarter Dominance
- Maryland outscored Northwestern 14-0 in the third quarter and now had outscored opponents 51-10 in the third quarter through eight games this season.
- In allowing just 10 points, this season, Maryland has allowed the third fewest points in the third quarter in the country all season. Only Michigan (6) and Minnesota (7) have allowed fewer this season.
- Maryland has third-quarter shutouts in five of eight third quarters this season.
Streaks Extended
- Maryland has won 16 consecutive games when it scores at least 30 points.
- The Terps extended their school-record streak to 10 games in a row of scoring at least 27 points.
- The Terps have now won 15 games in a row when they don't commit a turnover.
- Dontay Demus Jr. reached the 35th consecutive game with a reception.
- With a team-high eight grabs today, Rakim Jarrett has recorded a reception in 22 straight games.
- Corey Dyches has now caught a pass in 10 consecutive games.
- Spencer Anderson and Johari Branch both started their 26th game in a row on the offensive line.
Notes And Nuggets
- Freshman OL Coltin Deery earned the first start of his career at center today.
- Durell Nchami had his third sack of the season with a seven-yard sack in the first quarter.
- Trader and Brade's interceptions were the second of both of their careers, with the first ones coming against SMU (9/17) earlier this season for both guys.
- Gereme Spraggins logged a career-high eight tackles.
- The Terps converted their only fourth-down attempt of the game, in the fourth quarter to move to 11-of-15 (73.3 percent) on the season.
Up Next
- The Terps enter their bye week before traveling to Wisconsin for a Nov. 5 matchup against the Badgers. The game time and broadcast information will be announced as soon as Monday, Oct. 24.
