Story By: Sol Tucker
Photos By: Sol Tucker
College Park, MD–
Coming into the match-up against the Scarlet Knights today we knew the Terps were the hands down favorite to win the final game of the regular season. What we didn’t know was the Terps quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa would set another school record (50 touchdown) passes in a season and Rutgers seemingly didn’t get off the bus for this game.
“He tried to act like he didn’t hear it,” Terps Wide Receiver Jeshaun Jones said after the game.
“Without him in a couple of these games, we may not have been in this position today,” said Jones. “It has been tough couple of weeks for all of us and this one feels good.”
“When he’s on, we’re usually on,” Coach Michael Locksley said. “That’s kind of how it goes with that position.”
Maryland (7-5, 4-5 Big Ten) had some bad luck coming into today’s game, including a pair of lopsided blowouts that tarnished the final month of a regular season that began with plenty of promise. Maryland’s defense made it very difficult for Scarlet Knights (4-8, 1-8) and delivered the program’s first shutout in conference play since 2008.
Tagovailoa finished with 342 yards on 25-for-37 passing before Eric Najarian relieved him late in the game. This was the second time that Najarian was in the game when Tagovailoa took a hard hit that forced Locksley to take him out of the game. Billy Edwards Jr., the Terps normal backup quarterback, was not available because of an ankle injury. The Terps also were without leading receiver Rakim Jarrett, who is dealing with a knee injury.
“This is a great way for us to wait and see what Bowl options come our way. We have a few weeks to relax and gear up for another bowl victory after a great season finisher today, said Locksley.
Right now, the Terps have four possible options for Bowl games. Right now, the odds are likely they will end up in Phoenix at the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on December 27th and could possibly face Texas Tech.
