Story By: Andrew Lang
Photos By: Sol Tucker
College Park, MD–
It seems like we had much of the same story as last week against Washington for the Maryland Terps. Take an early lead only to get into the fourth quarter with game that is very under control only to come up with another in the loss column.
Maryland was slow to get started in this game and let the Huskers set the tone behind sophomore quarterback Dylan Raiola who got the Huskers off to a early 7-0 lead when he connected to Dane Key. Later in the game Key would be a huge part of the ending outcome for the Terps.
The Terps were able to hold the Huskers to a 10 play 47-yard field goal with 5:43 remaining in the second quarter. This is where the Terps seemed to start waking up on offense which included a 28-yard touchdown run by Nolan Ray which kept the Terps within striking distance before halftime at 10-7.
A long kickoff return led to a Husker touchdown to retake the lead at 17-14. After a three-and-out, Nebraska needed just three plays to go up 24-14.
Dontay Joyner scored on a 67-yard interception return in the third quarter for Maryland, which had a tough uphill battle being down by 2 touchdowns. The Terps would come all the way back on a third interception of the day by Raiola tying the game at 24.
It appeared that Maryland had the momentum going after the interception, but again after going on top 31-27 the Huskers would strike again.
Raiola threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Dane Key with 1:08 remaining, and Nebraska edged Maryland 34-31 on Saturday.
Raiola threw for 260 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in a wild game in which the Cornhuskers squandered a 10-point lead. But after going 10-35 in its last 45 one-score games entering this season, Nebraska is 2-1 in those situations this year.
Malik Washington’s 249 yards and 1 touchdown on the day was overshadowed by the late game performances by Raiola.
The Terps fall to 1-2 in conference play before they face UCLA on the road next week at the Rose Bowl. Can Mike Locksley right this ship before it’s too late for him and the Terps program?
