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Rapid Reaction: Max Bortenschlager, Maryland surprise Minnesota
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Final score: Maryland 31 Minnesota 24
Quick recap
What a difference a week makes.
Maryland was embarrassed at home a week ago by UCF. And after the lopsided defeat, the Terrapins entered Saturday’s game against the Gophers as a two-touchdown underdog. But D.J. Durkin’s team looked like a completely different team than a week ago.
Minnesota came into the game owning the best run defense in the country statistically but Ty Johnson and the Maryland offense eviscerated the Gophers defense, piling up 262 rushing yards. And third-string quarterback Max Bortenschlager and receiver D.J. Moore connected eight times for 90 yards and a touchdown.
The Terrapins were firing on all cylinders and proved they could continue to be one of the top offensive teams in the conference this season, despite all the injury woes.
Key play: Ty Johnson’s 34-yard game-winning TD run
Johnson gets the credit for his quickness on the game-winning touchdown run with 1:10 left in the game, but the offensive line opened a hole as wide as any lake in Minnesota. The running back could’ve walked into the end zone from 34 yards out with that type of blocking.
There were plenty of big plays in Saturday’s game — including a heady play by Johnson at the end of the first half that set up a Maryland field goal — but it’s hard to top a game-winning touchdown. It also served as a bit of redemption for Johnson, who had just 25 yards a week ago.
Stat of the game: Max Bortenschlager’s three total touchdowns, no turnovers
Nobody expected much out of the third-string quarterback. That’s probably why Maryland was a two-touchdown dog in its B1G opener. But Bortenschlager played well enough to keep the Gophers defense guessing and didn’t turn the ball over. That was crucial for the Terrapins.
Minnesota needed to take advantage of Bortenschlager’s inexperience and his inability to move as quickly as Maryland’s other two quarterbacks. But that didn’t work out for the Gophers, and Bortenschlager had a memorable performance in the win.
What it means
Maryland might be going through some growing pains on the offensive side of the ball but the Terrapins shouldn’t be completely written off. They racked up 416 yards of offense and scored 31 points against a Minnesota defense that was quietly one of the best in the B1G.
When Durkin said there were four quality quarterbacks battling for the starting job, it may not have been coachspeak. Bortenschlager impressed on Saturday and played the type of mistake-free football that you need from a signal-caller to win in the B1G.
The Terrapins aren’t going to stun a Penn State, Ohio State or Michigan, but this is still a quality team capable of winning several games, despite the injuries.
Maybe Minnesota’s defense is slightly overrated, too.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB