COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The No. 18-ranked Michigan Wolverines continued their dominance over the Maryland Terrapins, winning 45-20 while improving to 12-1 in the matchup.
Saturday’s game started off with fireworks as Michigan improved to 9-2 on the season.
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Michigan’s defense gave up an opening-drive touchdown, but they settled in early and took a 21-10 lead behind the hot start by Bryce Underwood, leading the offense to three touchdowns in the game’s first three drives.
Underwood finished the day 16-23 for 215 and two touchdowns, while accumulating 20 yards on eight carries, but tailback Bryson Kuzdzal showed that he could carry the load as he toted the rock 20 times for 100 yards and three touchdowns.
Jasper Parker found the endzone in the fourth quarter as he carried the ball eight times for 23 yards and one touchdown.
Underwood connected with Andrew Marsh five times for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Donaven McCulley caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, and Marlin Klein hauled in three catches for 37 yards in the game.
Fellow tight end Zack Marshall and receiver Channing Goodwin each had two receptions in the matchup.
The Wolverines opened the second half with three more touchdowns on their first three drives to blow the game open.
Next up for Michigan is the Ohio State Buckeyes in “The Game” inside the Big House with their College Football Playoff hopes on the line.
With a victory, Michigan would have a shot at the CFP, but it would also potentially knock out the Buckeyes from the Big Ten Championship game as well.
History
This was the 13th meeting between Michigan and Maryland, and the Wolverines had won 12 of the 13 previous meetings, including Saturday’s matchup.
Michigan has won nine straight in the series and owns a 9–1 record against Maryland since both joined the Big Ten East.
The Terrapins earned the lone Big Ten-opening victory when they beat Michigan 23–16 at Michigan Stadium in 2014.
Michigan answered the next year with its first-ever trip to College Park, shutting out Maryland 28–0 in 2015.
The teams first met in non‑conference play at the Big House, where Michigan swept the early series with wins of 20–0 (1985), 41–21 (1989), and 45–17 (1990).
Michigan also fielded strong local representation, with 12 players on the roster from the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.
1st quarter
Michigan won the coin toss and deferred until the second half, sending their defense on the field first.
After the kickoff, Maryland running back Dejuan Williams, on the first play of the game, ran up the sideline for a 20-yard gain.
After an incompletion on the new set of downs, Williams gained two yards on second down.
Quarterback Malik Washington completed a deep pass down the left sideline to the Michigan 24-yard line to Shaleak Knotts for 29 yards.
Williams gained three yards on first down, setting up a flea flicker, which was kept by Washington, who gained 13 yards down to the nine-yard line.
Williams ran for one yard before Washington kept the ball for no gain on first down before completing a pass to Octavian Smith Jr.
On third and one, Williams got stuffed before Washington completed a fourth-and-goal pass to Dorian Fleming, who capped off a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown reception, eating up 4:32 off the game clock before kicker Sean O’Haire knocked in the extra point.
Wink Martindale’s defense came out unprepared and uninformed on that opening drive as Michigan trailed 7-0.
With nothing to lose, Maryland did an onside kick, but it was recovered by Michigan, setting up the offense at the 47-yard line of the Terrapins.
Bryce Underwood took the snap and threw incomplete to Deakon Tonielli.
Underwood completed his first pass of the game to starting running back Bryson Kuzdzal for eight yards.
On third and two, Kuzdzal toted the rock to the Terrapins’ 32-yard line for a gain of seven yards.
Kuzdzal gained 14 yards on an explosive run up the sideline before getting stuffed for a one-yard gain.
On second and nine from the Maryland 13-yard line, Underwood handed the ball off to Kuzdzal, who gained one yard again.
With third and eight from the Maryland 12-yard line, head coach Sherrone Moore called his first timeout of the game.
On third down and eight, Underwood connected with Andrew Marsh for a 12-yard touchdown grab, capping off a seven-play 41-yard touchdown drive in 3:21.
Kicker Dominic Zvada tied the game with the extra point, as Michigan answered the opening drive touchdown of the Terrapins.
After the touchback, Washington completed a pass of 15 yards to Jalil Farooq before finding Knotts for eight yards.
Washington hit Nolan Ray for a gain of three yards before throwing incomplete on back-to-back passes, setting up a third and 10.
Michigan got called for offsides before Washington handed the ball off to Williams for a loss of one, setting up a punt.
The 38-yard punt was fielded by Marsh and returned for nine yards to their 17-yard line.
With the ball on their second possession of the game, Underwood overthrew his receiver, which nearly got intercepted, but the defender couldn’t hold on.
Michigan got away with one there.
On second-and-10, Michigan was called for a false start, moving them back five yards.
Facing second and 15 from their own 12-yard line, Underwood completed a pass to Marsh for an 11-yard gain.
On third and four, Underwood found fullback Max Bredeson for a seven-yard catch and run to move the sticks.
Kuzdzal gained six yards on his first carry of the drive, moving the ball to the 36-yard line.
He gained five yards to gain another first down on the drive.
Underwood found Marsh, who was wide open for a 25-yard catch and run to continue to move the sticks with 1:52 to play.
A Maryland defender was injured during the play as he tried to make the tackle to get Marsh down. A timeout was called.
Kuzdzal carried the ball for a one-yard gain to the 33-yard line of the Terrapins.
Underwood found a crossing Zack Marshall for a 20-yard gain, before hitting Marlin Klein for a six-yard catch and leap over a defender, before Jasper Parker gained two yards on a run.
2nd quarter
Kuzdzal gained the first down, setting up a first and two run and score to take a 14-7 lead following a Zvada extra point.
The drive was 12 plays for 83 yards.
Iverson Harper gained two yards on his first carry of the game before Washington threw a long ball down the field, but it was broken up by Zeke Berry.
Washington threw an interception to Mason Curtis.
Michigan got called for an infraction, moving the ball back five yards.
On first and 15, Underwood connected with Marshall for 10 yards, setting up a second and five.
Kuzdzal got blasted in the backfield for a four-yard loss.
On third and nine, from Maryland’s 22-yard line, Underwood threw a wide receiver screen pass to wide receiver Donaven McCulley, who broke multiple defenders on the play for a 22-yard catch and run, taking a 21-7 lead following the Zvada made extra point.
Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey was in his coaching bag early as the Wolverines’ passing attack was fluid as they capped off a three-play 23-yard drive in 1:09 to take a 14-point lead.
Washington opened the following drive with a pass to Smith Jr., who nearly broke loose for a longer run, but was tackled down after gaining 22 yards.
After an incompletion, Washington found Farooq for a 10-yard gain to move the sticks to the 43-yard line.
Washington threw incomplete again, setting up a second and 10.
Williams rushed the ball for a one-yard gain, before Washington found Fleming for 13 yards.
On first down, Williams, with the ball on Michigan’s 29-yard line, gained two yards on the ground.
Facing a second and eight, Washington found Kaleb Webb for a 13-yard catch.
With a new set of downs, Maryland got called for a false start, moving the ball back five yards.
On first and 15, Washington’s pass fell incomplete as he overthrew his receiver in the endzone.
With second and 15, from the Michigan 20-yard line, Washington found Williams for a running back screen for 11 yards, setting up a third and four from the nine-yard line.
On third and four, Washington got sacked by Jaishawn Barham for a seven-yard loss, the first of the game for either side.
Facing a fourth and 11, Maryland sent out O’Haire for a 34-yard field goal attempt, which was good.
The drive took 12 plays and 59 yards, chewing up 5:25, and cut the deficit to 21-10 with 7:03 to play.
Marsh returned the following kickoff to the 20-yard line of Maryland, following the 54-yard kickoff for a gain of nine yards.
Kuzdzal rushed the ball for a gain of eight yards and fumbled, but was called down by the referees.
On second and two, Underwood hit McCulley, who was wide open, and finally got tackled to the Maryland 48-yard line for a gain of 24 yards.
Underwood found Channing Goodwin for a six-yard catch and run to the Terrapins’ 42-yard line, before Kuzdzal carried the ball for a three-yard gain.
Kuzdzal picked up the first down following a two-yard run.
Underwood took his first sack of the day, losing three yards on the play.
Klein brought in a nine-yard catch and run, setting up a third and four from the 31-yard line, before Under scrambled for a six-yard gain to move the sticks.
With a new set of downs, Underwood threaded the needle to Marsh, but the ball was batted in the air and nearly intercepted in the endzone by Maryland, but fell incomplete.
On second and 10, Underwood hit Goodwin, who broke a tackle and gained five yards on the play.
Facing a third down and five with 2:00 to play in the half, Underwood threw a medicine ball to Marsh, who got cracked as the ball fell to the field, leading to the defender being injured on the play.
Zvada came in for the field goal attempt from the 20-yard line with 1:46 remaining in the half and missed it from 38 yards out.
The kick was wide right as he missed another chip-shot field goal.
Washington threw a weird pass to the Michigan defender’s feet, which drew some head scratching in the press box.
Williams ran the ball for a gain of four yards, leading to a timeout by Michigan, which was looking to steal points before the half.
On third and six, with 1:41 to play and the ball on their own 24-yard line, Washington connected with Farooq for a first down.
Washington hit Williams for a 10-yard gain, moving the sticks.
The quarterback scrambled for a three-yard gain.
Washington threw an incomplete pass on second and seven, setting up a huge third and seven with one minute to play.
With the ball on the 48-yard line, Washington threw incomplete again as the punt unit came on the field with 56 seconds remaining in the first half.
Marsh returned the 40-yard punt for 14 yards before heading back on offense, where he caught Underwood’s pass for 17 yards.
Underwood gained six yards on first down with a scramble before throwing incomplete on second down.
He picked up the first down before getting sacked on the final play of the half as Michigan led 21-10.
Michigan gained 61 yards rushing in the first half, but they had 183 yards passing while collecting 14 first downs.
Kuzdzal, who drew the start, finished the first half with 53 yards rushing while Underwood had seven yards (took two sacks) and Parker had one yard in the game’s first 30 minutes.
Martindale’s defense held the Terrapins to 41 yards rushing, but his backend was giving up big plays as Washington gained 153 yards passing in the first half.
3rd quarter
Michigan got the ball to open the half, with a 21-10 lead, on the 35-yard line after Maryland kicked the ball out of bounds.
Underwood threw an incomplete pass to Kuzdzal, who gained nine yards on the next play.
On third and one, from the 44-yard line, gained three yards to move the chains.
With a fresh set of downs, Underwood got chased out of bounds for no gain.
Underwood hit Marsh for an 11-yard gain.
With the ball on Maryland’s 42, Kuzdzal gained two yards, setting up a second and eight.
Underwood nearly threw another medicine ball, but Klein made the grab and fell immediately as the defender was looking to take his head off during the 21-yard grab.
Kuzdzal put the shakes on the defender to bust open a 19-yard run for a touchdown to take a 28-10 lead.
Michigan opened the second half with an eight-play, 65-yard drive, taking an 18-point lead in only 3:25.
Zvada got back into the swing of things as he chipped in the extra point.
Following the kickoff, Williams gained two yards before Washington overthrew his receiver, who had a step on Jyaire Hill on a potential touchdown.
Michigan got off the field on third down, but got called for roughing the passer, giving up 15 yards to extend the drive.
Washington connected with Smith Jr. for 10 yards before Brandyn Hillman laid down the boom on the receiver as the ball fell out of bounds.
The quarterback kept the ball for a 23-yard gain before throwing back-to-back incompletions, setting up a third and 10 from Michigan’s 25.
Feeling the rush, Washington found Smith Jr. for a diving 16-yard catch to keep the drive alive.
Williams carried the ball for a four-yard gain, setting up a second and six with under 8:30 to play.
Washington threw an incomplete pass in the end zone to Smith Jr., and on third and six, got sacked by Derrick Moore for a loss of seven.
That was the second sack on third down in the red zone by Michigan as O’Haire kicked in another field goal, capping off a 12-play 64-yard drive that ate up 4:01 in the quarter.
That drive shouldn’t have happened as Michigan got off the field on defense, but that penalty led to three points.
Marsh probed and followed his blockers on the kickoff to gain 39 yards, moving the ball to Maryland’s 47-yard line.
Kuzdzal carried the ball for a 12-yard gain to move the sticks, but was tackled for a one-yard gain on second down.
Following an incompletion, Underwood, on third and nine, threw the ball in the dirt, but a flag was thrown as a roughing the passer was called, moving the play 15 yards down the field.
Michigan got the ball with a first and 10 on Maryland’s 19-yard line, setting up a Parker four-yard run.
On second and six, Parker toted the rock again, this time for one yard.
Facing a third and five, with the ball on the 14-yard line, Underwood drew Maryland offsides to gain a free five yards and an automatic first down.
On first down and nine, Underwood scrambled for seven yards before Kuzdzal got tackled for one yard.
The replay showed that Kuzdzal reached the ball over the goal line for a touchdown, and the play went under the hood for further review.
After further review, the call was overturned, giving Kuzdzal his second touchdown of the game, as Michigan took a 35-13 lead with 3:57 remaining in the game.
Zvada kicked the ball on top of the building, under the scoreboard, for the extra point.
News broke that Bredeson was seen on the sideline on crutches and in street clothes.
After an incompletion on first down, Nolan Ray rushed up the middle for four yards before Washington found Fleming for a five-yard catch.
Washington gained two yards on fourth and one to keep the sticks moving.
Washington hit Knotts for 14 yards before gaining one yard on a QB run.
Williams gained no yards ahead of another incompletion before Derrick sacked Washington on fourth down for a loss of 14 yards.
It was their third sack of the game as Michigan got the turnover on downs.
With the ball on Maryland’s 37-yard line, leading 35-13, Underwood, with 56 seconds remaining in the quarter, handed the ball off to Parker, who blasted late out of bounds, giving Michigan extra yards on the play.
Underwood scrambled for a five-yard run to end the quarter.
4th quarter
Parker carried the ball for four yards to open the quarter.
Facing a third and one, Parker carried the ball for four yards to pick up the first down.
Parker gained three yards on first down before diving for the pylon for his first touchdown of the game.
Kuzdzal had three touchdowns on the ground while Parker got his first of the night as Michigan took a 42-13 lead with 13:19 to play.
Zvada knocked in the extra point.
Maryland turned the ball over on downs at their own 42-yard line as Michigan pulled the majority of their starters with 11:41 to play in the quarter.