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A gutsy call from interim coach Matt Canada backfired for Maryland, as the Terrapins’ upset bid of No. 10 Ohio State fail short on a two-point conversion in overtime.
Maryland hung up 45 points in regulation on Ohio State. But, the Buckeyes would not quit and sent the game into overtime with a late touchdown pass from quarterback and Maryland native Dwayne Haskins.
Ohio State got the ball to start overtime and scored in five plays to go ahead 52-45. Maryland wasted no time answering, as running back Anthony McFarland ripped a 24-yard run to the 1-yard line on the first play of their first overtime possession.
Maryland would score on the next snap as running back Tayon Fleet-Davis scored from one yard out to close the gap to 52-51. Instead of going for the game-tying extra point that would have sent the game into another series of possessions in the second overtime, Canada opted to go for the game-sealing two-point conversion.
Quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome rolled out while wide receiver Jeshaun Jones got free and wide open. Unfortunately for the Terrapins the pass was off the mark and out of reach of the lunging Jones, ending the Terrapins’ upset bid.
Maryland was this close on the two-point conversion attempt and a historic upset of Ohio State. #Terps (via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/bLS5sATv9B
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) November 17, 2018
It was a tough way to lose in Maryland’s home finale and in a game they had no business being in once you look on paper and consider the roller coaster season they’ve gone through.
Was it the right decision to go for two at home?
That’s questionable. One thing is for sure not hard to agree with the decision and play-call. Unfortunately, it did not work.
Of course there’s the argument at the fact that Maryland did just hang up 51 points and Ohio State’s defense had shown no signs of being able to stop their offense. Maryland would have received the football in overtime No. 2 first. A touchdown there would have put a great deal of pressure on the heavily-favored Buckeyes in a do-or-die situation.
Considering the stature of the program, Maryland will accept the outcome and way they lost. They gave it their all, nearly beating Ohio State. And all the while hanging up 51 points on an Urban Meyer-coached team behind a spectacular performance by McFarland, who rushed for 298 yards and two touchdowns.
The loss drops Maryland to 5-6, 3-5 in the Big Ten on the season still needing one win to become bowl eligible. Ohio State (10-1, 7-1) stays alive in the Big Ten East race, as they’ll play No. 4 Michigan next Saturday for the chance to clinch a berth into the Big Ten Championship Game.
