The Maryland Terrapins trounced the Indiana Hoosiers 44-17 much to the delight of the 38,181 fans and student section at SECU Stadium on Family Weekend.
The Terrapins were led by All-Big Ten senior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa who threw for a career-high five touchdowns and also had a rushing score. He earned Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts.
Maryland improved to (5-0) for the first time since 2001. They are (4-0) at SECU Stadium and are (2-0) in the Big Ten for the first time since joining the conference.
Maryland fans knew it was going to be a dazzling night when the first pass was a 62-yard completion to senior wide out Jeshaun Jones. This was just the beginning of the games quick Maryland touchdown drives.
They scored their first touchdown before some fans probably found their seats as Tagovailoa hit wide out Tai Felton with a scoring strike. Three plays 75 yards 25 seconds! The student section was happy and amazed at the same time. Score: Maryland 7 Indiana 0.
The Hoosiers kicked a 25-yard field goal as part of an eight play 32-yard drive to make the score 7-3 with 9:54 to go in the first half.
In the blink of an eye Maryland was on the scoreboard again. Taking advantage of good field position Tagovailoa tossed a pass to a wide-open Felton. One play 29 yards and a score in five seconds! Terps up 14-3 with 5:34 to go in the first half.
Felton had a career night becoming the first Maryland receiver ever to score three touchdowns in the first half. His final first half touchdown was part of a five-play 50-yard drive which finished with him catching Tagovailoa’s nine-yard scoring pass and helping the Terps to a 27-3 halftime advantage.
Tagovailoa was 24 for 34 for 352 yards. He sandwiched a 19-yard scoring dash in between two Felton scoring passes giving Maryland a 21-3 lead with 2:43 to go in the first half.
11 Terrapins caught passes as part of the offensive onslaught. As expected, Felton led the way catching seven passes for 134 yards which included a 46-yard reception. Jones was next with six catches for 121 and he also had a nifty 23-yard punt return which set up Tagovailoa’s touchdown run.
Roman Hemby ran for 54 yards on 14 carries and Antwain Littleton II nearly matched him with over a 10-yard average attempt gaining 52 yards on five carries as part of the Maryland ground attack.
The Terps added 10 points in the third quarter increasing their lead to 37-3 and the student section began to empty out off to celebrate this historic Big Ten win.
Maryland had 472 total yards to 321 for Indiana as the Terps have beaten the Hoosiers three straight times.
The Terps defense held the Hoosiers to 205 passing yards. They had eight tackles for loss and three sacks. Tarheeb Still led the Terps with six tackles and Fa’Najae Gotay finished with five tackles and an interception.
Tayven Jackson led Indiana in passing going 17 for 29 for 113 yards and one interception. Brendan Sorsby came off the bench and was a bright spot for the Hoosiers going seven of 11 for 84 yards and two fourth quarter touchdowns.
Christian Turner was the leading Indiana rusher with 63 yards on 15 carries.
Donaven McCulley led Indiana with six receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown in a losing effort for the (2-3, 0-2) Hoosiers.
