CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the clock winding down in a game void of many points — or pleasure — Maryland football had a chance to stop NC State's offense and comfy a win over its former ACC rival in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
The Terps sported a four-point lead as NC State had the ball with simply over two minutes to go, seeking to generate offense in a online game that featured one touchdown and seven box dreams. As NC State quarterback Ben Finley dropped again to pass, Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett jumped the lane and got here down with an interception, securing the Terps a sixteen-12 win at bank of america Stadium Friday afternoon.
In an unsightly offensive showing in its first video game given that the standard season ended Nov. 26, Maryland's two 2nd-half container desires had been simply sufficient to out survive NC State. The Terps captured their second straight bowl win, the first time seeing that 2002-03 they completed that feat.
"The execution wasn't excellent, but we did ample to win and to me that's what it's subsequently about," head train Mike Locksley said.
no matter if Maryland took the "next step" that Locksley commonly discusses is up for debate, but it surely certainly took a step forward this season, which culminated in a bowl win for its eighth victory of the season, the most in view that Locksley took over and the application's most wins in a season due to the fact 2010.
Maryland's rollercoaster 2022 crusade featured expected wins over weaker opponents, beatdowns from large Ten foes in Penn State and Wisconsin and potentially enormous upset bids that came up simply short in opposition t two teams within the faculty soccer Playoff: Michigan and Ohio State.
Maryland's up-and-down season ended the way it played out all year, with highs featuring optimism for fans and lows resulting in angst and the idea of what might have been. in the end, Maryland ended 2022 with a win, hoping the momentum of a victory will raise into 2023.
"The next step for us is to birth competing for big Ten championships and there's some americans out there so that it will chuckle at us and they suppose it's humorous, however you're taking a Terp for granted, I promise you we'll make you pay," Locksley pointed out.
stories surfaced just before kickoff that redshirt junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa would not beginning because of disciplinary explanations, which resulted in sophomore Billy Edwards Jr. beginning the game beneath center. Edwards started against Northwestern prior this season when Tagovailoa become sidelined with an MCL sprain.
"When we now have things that are in apartment, we keep them in condominium," Locksley observed on his choice to birth Edwards. "There turned into nothing malice involved in it, it turned into only a educate's resolution to start Billy."
Edwards' opening drive had promise, as he accomplished a 45-yard flow to senior receiver Jeshaun Jones to set Maryland up in major scoring place. After 5 straight run plays, NC State sacked Edwards on fourth-and-2, resulting in a scoreless pressure for the Terps.
On Maryland's first protecting sequence, linebacker Fa'Najae Gotay intercepted NC State for his first profession interception, handing the ball again to the Terps' offense.
Maryland's passing attack — one that has had numerous weapons depart seeing that it last performed a video game over a month in the past, including Dontay Demus Jr., Rakim Jarrett, Jacob Copeland and CJ Dippre — changed into shaky to start.
Tagovailoa entered the game for Maryland's 2nd pressure and become proficient phenomenal container place on NC State's 23-yard line. however two incompletions adopted through an interception gave the ball again to NC State.
Two drives that reputedly should still have yielded facets left Maryland with a donut on the scoreboard. NC State marched down the box on the ensuing possession earlier than setting up a container intention to take a three-0 lead.
Maryland responded with a field intention of its personal to knot the game at three apiece with a few minutes to head within the first period.
The Terps' protection suffered handiest a handful of key departures from its ordinary season squad — security Deonte Banks entered the NFL Draft and linebacker Ahmad McCullough entered the switch portal — however the core of the defense turned into still intact for the postseason.
Maryland's protection shut down an NC State offense decimated through damage and transfer portal departures.
as the first half went on and aspects were at a premium, Tagovailoa discovered his rhythm. Over the ultimate month, Locksley has repeatedly lamented the incontrovertible fact that bowl games are not the conclusion of the 2022 season, but the birth of the 2023 one.
Maryland confirmed a glimpse of a youthful receiving core it will have to rely on in 2023 with the departures of a celebrity-studded solid. Freshman Octavian Smith Jr. — who had just nine catches and one touchdown in the average season — nailed an audition for a first-rate function. He comprehensive with three receptions for 34 yards and a landing.
Tagovailoa lofted an exquisite move to the a long way left nook of the end zone that ended in a contested trap from Smith in the 2nd quarter for the primary touchdown of the video game, putting Maryland ahead, 10-3.
NC State responded with an eleven-play, seventy three-yard pressure that resulted in a field goal. Maryland's defense didn't restrict explosive performs from the Wolfpack within the first half, but its goal-line defense held amazing and kept NC State out of the end zone within the first 30 minutes.
"We recognize as a group we have a lot of first rate gamers on that protecting side of the ball," Bennett said. "If we simply talk, be self-discipline on our aspect... that'll take us to the place we need to be."
Maryland entered halftime with a ten-9 lead.
The Terps gave up fewer than 10 facets in the 2nd half in eight of their 12 normal-season games this season. The fashion of Maryland's 2d-half dominance on the defensive conclusion continued Friday, allowing simply three elements in the ultimate 30 minutes. although, its offense hit a lull.
Even with a half beneath their belts, both squads appeared like groups that have not performed a video game in over a month, as sluggish offenses offered little pleasure to the fans that made the go back and forth to Charlotte.
The Terps and Wolfpack mixed for 106 yards of offense in the third quarter. A container intention from Maryland kicker Chad Ryland have been the simplest features within the body.
Ryland's game sealing container goal within the fourth quarter had been the simplest different elements in the 2d half, however thanks to seize protection Maryland ended its season with a win.
"You saw a group of men that sort of put their personal issues apart to do whatever for a more desirable cause and the place we have been when I took over in 2019 to where we're nowadays, I imply Ray Charles can see it," Locksley stated.
Three things to understand1. Locksley's dominance in nonconference play is superb. Maryland's win over NC State became its first win over an opponent ranked by using the Playoff Committee. getting into Friday, Maryland was 0-15 against groups ranked by using the committee, probably the most losses without a win via any crew in that span. The win over its former ACC rival solidifies a run of dominance with the aid of Locksley in opposition t nonconference competitors. Maryland has won eight straight nonconference video games — Locksley's sole loss towards a non-huge Ten opponent got here in opposition t Temple in 2019. while the subsequent step for this neighborhood is to beat ranked huge Ten opponents, Maryland's success backyard of its loaded convention is noteworthy.
2. Tagovailoa turned to a couple popular, and a few now not so accepted, weapons. All eyes were on Maryland's receivers coming into the Duke's Mayo Bowl. ahead of the season, Maryland's receiving room became touted as one of the crucial highest quality in the country. besides the fact that children they certainly did not reside as much as extremely high expectations, there become little doubt of the talent Dontay Demus Jr., Rakim Jarrett and Jacob Copeland possessed. All three receivers entered the NFL Draft and none participated within the bowl video game on Friday. Maryland also misplaced tight end CJ Dippre to the transfer portal, who emerged as a professional circulate catcher for Tagovailoa all over the season. in their absence, Tagovailoa relied on Jeshaun Jones, in all probability his favourite weapon, who entire with 4 catches for 79 yards. Octavian Smith Jr. and Tai Felton — two weapons Tagovailoa will need to step up next season — filled the void on Friday. They mixed for seven catches and 103 yards.
"He came in and he's kept his head down and worked each day because he came," Jones mentioned about Smith. "He's a hard working man and that i suppose like it's simply awesome to peer this going on for him."
three. Maryland finishes the 2022 season 8-5. Time will tell if historical past appears again on this Terps' season kindly. It's low in cost for enthusiasts to appear again on this season and realize more than eight wins turned into obtainable, however the reality is for a program that won simply three video games in Locksley's first 12 months, successful eight video games handiest three seasons later is a excellent feat, and one which should still be celebrated. again-to-lower back bowl wins for the first time in two decades and the Terps' most wins in view that 2010 offers Maryland momentum heading into the 2023 season. whereas the Terps don't seem to be yet a contender in the large Ten, they're primary after irrelevancy and controversy plagued the software for years.
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