Story By: Andrew Lang
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Charlotte, NC–
They always say slow and steady wins the race, well perhaps after the mascot race in today’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the Terps who used that slow offensive pace to hold off another sluggish Wolfpack team, 16-12, winning the 2022 Dukes Mayo Bowl.
For the Terps they started today’s game without quite a few of their starting players, some of whom had declared for the transfer portal or opted out of the game all together. The sluggish start could be felt out of the game for both teams, but it was the one touchdown toss by Talia Tagovailoa that would be the difference in the game.
Prior to the start of the game many wondered by Tagovailoa was not starting the game and it was revealed by Terps Head Coach Mike Locksley that it was an in-house disciplinary issue that would not be further discussed. Billy Edwards was able to drive the Terps down the field, but it resulted in nothing for his efforts as he was sacked on 4th and 2 and had to turn the ball over on downs.
“The execution wasn’t perfect, but we did enough to win and to me that’s what it’s ultimately about,” head coach Mike Locksley said.
NC State responded with an 11-play, 73-yard drive that led to a field goal. Maryland’s defense failed to limit explosive plays from the Wolfpack in the first half, but its goal-line defense held strong and kept NC State out of the end zone in the first 30 minutes.
“We know as a group we have a lot of great players on that defensive side of the ball,” Bennett said. “If we just communicate, be discipline on our side… that’ll take us to where we need to be.”
Maryland entered halftime with a 10-9 lead and like in other games, this was the last of the real bit of offense they would show in the game that didn’t result in a field goal or turnover.
” A win is a win. I feel like some of what we did was really good and some of it made me run up and down these sidelines wondering what we were trying to do, said Locksley.
Despite the final score, this marks the first time in over 20 years that the Terps have won back-to-back Bowl Games, something that Locksley hopes will carry over in 2023.
