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Maryland football: 3 takeaways from overtime win vs. Minnesota

By Riley Platt

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Taulia Tagovailoa #3 of the Maryland Terrapins runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 30: Taulia Tagovailoa #3 of the Maryland Terrapins runs for a touchdown in the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium on October 30, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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Maryland football may have suffered a rough loss in Week 8, but could they bounce back against a Minnesota squad coming off a loss of their own?

852. 45. 824. Final/OT. 44

Coming off of a wildly successful 2019 campaign, the Minnesota Golden Gophers had very high hopes coming into this year. Head coach P.J. Fleck has absolutely turned this program into a contender, and they’re just getting started.

Despite hosting ESPN’s College Gameday last Saturday, the Gophers got steamrolled by Michigan in a 49-24 loss. Their defense struggled against the Wolverines, giving up 481 yards. However, week one wasn’t any better for Minnesota’s second opponent, as the Terrapins got blown out 43-3 against Northwestern.

While Maryland’s Taulia Tagovailoa had a rough opening appearance, he got off to a hot start early on against Minnesota. He led a methodical drive to put the Terps on top 7-0. They would continue to roll, getting out to a 21-7 lead.

Minnesota would not give in, as their offense began to shine. The turning point of the first half happened when Minnesota defensive lineman DeAngelo Carter would come up with an interception at the line, rumbling his way for a 21-yard return. Following this, the Gophers’ offense looked electric, rattling off another two touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead into the half.

After a strong start, Maryland’s defense caved in on itself, giving up 28 unanswered points. The Gophers led by two touchdowns early in the third quarter and came up with a fumble recovery in a pivotal goal-line stand.

Fast forward to late in the fourth quarter, as Minnesota has blown a 17-point lead and the game is tied at 38 a piece. Maryland has the ball and one timeout, but they aren’t in field goal range. Instead of using this timeout for one last heave at the end zone, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley made a baffling (at the time) decision to let the clock die and send the game into overtime.

Luckily for Locksley, this decision paid off. The Terps were able to score first, with Minnesota soon matching. However, the Gophers weren’t able to tie the game with the extra-point attempt, falling in overtime in a game they most definitely should have won.

Let’s take a look at three things we learned from some Big Ten after dark action.

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