Rapid Reaction: Maryland football beats NC State in Duke's Mayo Bowl, wins back-to-back bowl games for first time since early 2000s
Final Score: Maryland 16, N.C. State 12
Maryland football was looking to end the 2022 season on a high note after reaching another bowl game under HC Mike Locksley. The Terps did just that by beating N.C. State in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl on Friday.
Both teams were off to slow starts in the first quarter. The Wolf Pack turned the ball over first on an interception by LB Fa’Najae Gotay. The pick was the first of Gotay’s career as he picked off N.C. State QB Ben Finley.
Fa’Najae GOATay!!!
First career pick! pic.twitter.com/Mf4Lm7atcO
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) December 30, 2022
Unfortunately Maryland turned the ball right back over to N.C. State a few plays later. Tagovailoa threw a risky pass towards the back of the end zone that got intercepted for a touchback.
Maryland fans had to wait until the second quarter to see what would end up being the only touchdown of the game.
Tagovailoa threw a beautiful touchdown pass to Octavian Smith Jr. to break the 3-3 tie during the first half. Smith made a contested catch while keeping one of his feet inbounds for a 19-yard score.
Touchdown Maryland. Taulia Tagovailoa with a beautiful toss to Octavian Smith Jr. in the corner of the end zone, who holds on for the score.
Terps lead NC State, 10-3, with 8:07 left in the first half. pic.twitter.com/QBw97eVuKI
— Testudo Times (@testudotimes) December 30, 2022
DB Jakorian Bennett secured the Maryland victory with a key interception late in the fourth quarter.
JAKORIAN BENNETT ENDS HIS CAREER IN STYLE pic.twitter.com/QtJXq9EgzQ
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) December 30, 2022
One of the other bright spots for Maryland was the kicker. Chad Ryland made sure that Maryland didn’t leave any points on the board with his reliable leg. Ryland hit all three field goals and one extra point.
Maryland’s defense did not allow the N.C. State offense to score as the Wolf Pack had to settle for field goals.
The Terps now move to 8-5 on the year after the win. Maryland has now won bowl games in consecutive years for the first time since the 2002 and 2003 seasons when Ralph Friedgen was the head coach.