Maryland delivers clutch moments late in wild comeback win over USC
Maryland trailed by 14 points at halftime and again early in the 4th quarter against USC. But that didn’t stop the Terrapins with Mike Locksley’s squad never quitting against the Trojans.
After falling behind 28-14, Maryland was quick to answer with a touchdown drive and a 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 28-22. That 2-point conversion loomed large late in the game.
Clinging to that 6-point lead and just under 2 minutes remaining, the Trojans lined up for a field goal that would ice things down the stretch. However, Maryland stood tall with a blocked field goal and a major return to spark the offense.
“WHAT A PERFECT TIME FOR A BLOCKED FIELD GOAL” 😱❌ pic.twitter.com/WogFEjkb86
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
The drive covered 47 yards for the Terrapins and required just 48 seconds off the game clock. The biggest play of the drive would go down as a pass interference call on the Trojans before Maryland turned to Billy Edwards Jr. inside the 10-yard line.
Here’s how the go-ahead touchdown went down:
TERPS TD WITH UNDER A MINUTE TO PLAY! 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/oldBOhg7qD
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
USC did have plenty of time to try and set up a game-winning field goal, but Maryland stood strong. The Trojans were forced into a 4th-and-2 from Maryland’s 40-yard line and just outside of field goal range.
That pass to Woody Marks would be broken up with the Terps hanging on for a crucial win:
HE DROPPED IT! MARYLAND SEALS THE W!!! pic.twitter.com/3zWCjgoWkL
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2024
Maryland finishes the game outscoring USC 22-7 in the 2nd half and delivered 15 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. Edwards was the offensive catalyst for the Terps, throwing for 373 yards and producing 3 total touchdowns in a much-needed victory.
It was the largest 4th-quarter comeback for the Terrapins since 2020. It also goes down as the first conference win for the Terrapins this year and raises even more questions for Lincoln Riley’s program as USC falls to 3-4 overall.