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Taulia Tagovailoa will return Maryland to college football relevancy

Rolando Rosa

By Rolando Rosa

Published:

When people think of Maryland athletics in the new millennium, the 1st program that usually comes to mind is men’s basketball.

The Terrapins have captured a national title (2002), reached the Final Four twice (2001, 2002) and qualified for the NCAA Tournament 12 times since 2000.

While Maryland hasn’t had that level of sustained success on the football field, they did had 8 winning seasons and 4 finishes in the AP Top 25 from 2001-14.

However, since their 1st season in the B1G (2014), Maryland hasn’t had a winning record. The Terrapins have been a punching bag in the conference. But now, with sophomore quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa under center, Maryland is finally punching back as they strive to return to college football relevancy.

The brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is quickly making a name for himself at Maryland. Taulia transferred from Alabama after it became clear that Mac Jones, now a Heisman Trophy candidate, had secured the position.

It wasn’t pretty for Tagovailoa in his 1st start at Maryland. He struggled with 94 passing yards and 3 interceptions during Maryland’s 43-3 blowout loss at Northwestern.

Yet Tagovailoa responded in a major way in the thrilling 45-44 overtime victory vs. Minnesota in Week 2. Tagovailoa was sensational with 394 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air, while adding 59 yards and 2 scores on the ground.

Tagovailoa’s leaping 2-yard touchdown run in overtime was the game-deciding play.

Tagovailoa followed his coming-out party with another strong showing in Maryland’s convincing 35-19 victory at Penn State, asserting himself as a foundational quarterback. The efficient Tagovailoa completed 18 of 26 passes for 282 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Maryland coach Mike Locksley isn’t shocked that Tagovailoa has bounced back in resounding fashion.

“I’m not surprised and wasn’t surprised by how he responded to the 1st game,” Locksley said. “For me, it was more of making sure that he didn’t allow one game to lead to the second bad one. … No one can be a heavier critic on him than himself, and that’s what I like as a coach in coaching Lia, is that I sometimes have to maybe go in from the Dr. Phil approach with him to make sure that he’s not having the negative self talk with himself.”

Showing his excellent leadership skills, Tagovailoa deflects praise and instead compliments his teammates for Maryland’s poised response in the past 2 weeks.

“I think the only way after that game was just to go up,” Tagovailoa said. “Our team had the right mind-set, despite how we were feeling.”

Maryland was about to face the ultimate litmus test against No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday, but a COVID-19 outbreak on the Terrapins squad resulted in that showdown being cancelled.

It’s a shame because even if Maryland had lost to Ohio State, a competitive outing would’ve been an invaluable experience for Tagovailoa and further proof that he has the Terrapins on the brink of something special.

Maryland’s final 4 scheduled games are against Michigan State, No. 10 Indiana, Michigan and Rutgers.

One of my 10 bold predictions for Maryland this season was a 4-4 record. With that closing slate and the emergence of Tagovailoa, I can envision Maryland ending up 5-2.

If that happens, Tagovailoa and Maryland will definitely have all of the B1G’s attention heading into 2021.

Another of my 10 bold predictions was that the dual-threat Tagovailoa would post 25 total touchdowns and 3,000 yards from scrimmage. Tagovailoa has amassed 770 yards and 6 touchdowns through the air, while adding 56 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.

Obviously, Tagovailoa isn’t going to rack up 2,174 yards and 17 touchdowns in the next 4 games. Without a full slate, Tagovailoa won’t come close to breaking any single-season Maryland quarterback passing or rushing records, either.

Regardless, Tagovailoa has shown the necessary potential for Maryland fans to believe their team can once again matter on the national stage. Now that Locksley has his quarterback, Maryland becomes a dark horse in the B1G and a legitimate contender on the recruiting trail for the nation’s top prospects.

Maryland has the No. 26-ranked class for 2021, according to 247Sports. A strong finish to this season for Tagovailoa and Maryland will bolster their odds when competing against traditional B1G powers for elite local prospects.

In the offseason, I called Tagovailoa a diamond in the rough. After shining bright in the past 2 weeks, Tagovailoa is validating his decision to leave behind his brother’s shadow at Alabama and chart his own legacy at Maryland.

Doubt Tagovailoa at your own risk, because his stellar play isn’t a fluke. Instead, it’s a warning to the rest of the B1G that Maryland is here to stay.

Rolando Rosa

Rolando Rosa brings his experience covering college football to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @RolandoRosa3.