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College Football

Rapid Reaction: Maryland runs all over Texas, Terrapins could make some noise this season

Garrett Kroeger

By Garrett Kroeger

Published:

Score: Maryland 51 No. 23 Texas 41

Quick recap

What a game to open up the season for the Maryland Terrapins.

The main storyline entering this game was that the Texas Longhorns are on track to return to their glory days. Oh, how Maryland proved everyone wrong.

After giving up a pick-6 to open up the game, the Terrapins would go onto score three straight touchdowns, including a block field goal for a score. Entering halftime, Maryland led Texas 30-14.

To begin the second half, it seemed like the Longhorns were going to comeback and regain the lead from the Terrapins. But every single time it seemed like Texas had the momentum, Maryland would stop it and respond with a score of its own.

Texas would score a 91 yard punt return, Maryland responded with a 40 yard run. Longhorn quarterback Shane Buechele would score on a three yard run, Terrapin backup signal caller would score on a three yard run as well.

 

If Terrapins play like they did against the Longhorns, they can easily make some noise in the B1G this season.

Key play: Kasim Hill’s 40 yard pass to D.J. Moore in the fourth quarter

Tyrell Pigrome was doing work for the Maryland Terrapins as the starting quarterback against the Texas Longhorns. He was 9-of-12 for 175 yards and two touchdowns while adding 64 yards and a score on the ground. Then, he went down with a foot injury at the end of the third quarter. Enter freshman quarterback Kasim Hill.

On Hill’s first drive, the Maryland offense stalled. It looked like the momentum was on Texas’ side. But on Hill’s second drive of the game, he showed why he was a 4-star recruit.

Third and 19 would seem daunting for any quarterback, let alone a freshman. But Hill was poised in the pocket when the Longhorns were barreling down on him. He let it rip and hit D.J. Moore for a 40 yard gain. That completion would lead to Terrapin touchdown a couple plays later to give Maryland a 44-34 lead with 7:36 left in the game.

 

State of the game: Maryland’s 263 total rushing yards

Who said turtles are slow?

The Terrapins ran wild against the Longhorns. The person who led the way on the ground for Maryland was running back Ty Johnson. A

Against Texas, Johnson carried the ball 12 times for 132 yards and a score. That gave him an average of 11 yards per carry. Johnson also received help from Pigrome, 11 carries for 64 yards and a score, and Lorenzo Harrison II, 11 carries for 45 yards.

If Maryland keeps up this type of running ability, it could become one of the best rushing teams in the nation in 2017.

What it means

Plain and simple, the Terrapins were vastly overlooked entering the 2017. Heck, most of the Texas media believed Maryland would be no match for the Burnt Orange and White.

 

The Maryland offense is for real. Despite losing their starting quarterback, the Terrapins’ offense kept moving along with a backup, freshman signal caller. Johnson and Moore both are incredible playmakers who deserve more love than they are receiving at moment.

The only thing that Maryland needs to work on is its special teams. The Terrapins’ special teams allowed a 91 yard punt return and a block field goal for scores.

Overall, Maryland looked like a dominant team down in Austin.

Garrett Kroeger