Justin Walley was looking one place and one place only as Billy Edwards Jr. caught the snap and dropped back to pass. Edwards Jr. set his feet and fired to his right, hoping to connect with junior Shaleak Knotts on a comeback route for a first down.
Minnesota’s senior cornerback jumped the route cutting between Knotts and Edwards’ pass, easily receiving the bullet throw. Walley burst down the left sideline in a blur traveling 32 yards for the Gophers’ third touchdown of the first quarter.
Walley’s interception provided Minnesota with a 21-0 lead in the first quarter that Maryland couldn’t overcome. The Gophers’ beat the Terps, 48-23, Saturday evening in the teams’ first matchup since 2021.
“To spot a good team at home 21 points like that … we’re not built to just give the other team points like that,” said head coach Michael Locksley.
Edwards’ finished the first quarter two for eight passing with two interceptions. The second interception happened on the following drive after Edwards’ first interception and resulted in a Minnesota field goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
The redshirt junior’s struggles were indicative of Maryland’s overall struggles on both ends of the field in the first quarter.
Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer led the Gophers’ offense on back to back scoring drives to open the game, following a turnover on downs and a punt on Maryland’s first two drives.
Brosmer was a perfect three for three passing on Minnesota’s first scoring drive, throwing for a total of 47 yards. The graduate’s third completion went to fifth year wide receiver Daniel Jackson on a medium out route. Jackson scampered a couple more yards for the first touchdown of the game.
The Gophers’ second score was a product of the right arm of Brosmer yet again. Brosmer evaded the Maryland pass rush just enough to lean back and float a seven yard pass to senior receiver Elijah Spencer in the back of the endzone.
Minnesota scored three more times before the halftime break — two field goals and a four yard reception by Jackson — running its point total to 34. Maryland’s offense put together two scoring drives in the quarter to remain in striking distance of an improbable second half comeback, down by 24.
Unlike last Saturday, the Terps couldn’t make the impossible possible, and Minnesota’s dominance continued in the second half ensuring its third win in a row.
“I’m probably more disappointed that we didn’t build off of what we accomplished a week ago,” said Locksley.
Maryland finished the game with 427 yards of total offense, the majority of which coming in the final quarter. Edwards Jr. finished the game with 201 passing yards, one rushing touchdown, and two interceptions. Roman Hemby paced the Terps in rushing and Tai Felton finished with nine catches and 104 receiving yards.
Edwards Jr. was pulled in the fourth quarter allowing NC State transfer MJ Morris to get some playing time in non consequential minutes. Morris’ completed seven of his eight passing attempts, throwing for two touchdowns in the process.
“I love the way that we fought, but it’s definitely disappointing when you put in this work, I put in so much work and then we come out flat,” said Felton
Maryland’s defense allowed over 300 yards through the air and a total of 13 big plays to the Minnesota offense.
Brosmer finished the game with 320 passing yards, four touchdown throws, and a passer rating above 200.
“They didn’t beat us running the ball, but I expected us to be able to affect [Brosmer] a little bit more,” said Locksley. “He’s a good quarterback.”
Sophomore running back Darius Taylor ran for 81 yards and Jackson led all receivers with 117 receiving yards.
Maryland will have a week off to recover from the loss before traveling to Eugene, Oregon, to take on the top ranked team in the nation, the Oregon Ducks.
