Friday night was supposed to be a showcasing for the Maryland Terrapins. Their opportunity against a top-5 ranked Big Ten team in Iowa to show the nation they have arrived.
Maryland had a black-out night. They debuted the largest video board in the Big Ten Conference ahead of kickoff.
For the first 15 minutes Maryland seemed primed to compete against the Big Ten giant, as they led the Hawkeyes 7-3. Then the second quarter spiraled out of control in route to a 51-14 blowout loss.
Second quarter spiraled out of control with Dontay Demus injury
After an Iowa touchdown to start the second quarter, disaster struck. Top wide receiver and NFL hopeful, Dontay Demus Jr. had his leg bend awkwardly. He fumbled the football on his way down. Iowa recovered but more importantly Demus lay on the turf of Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium in obvious pain.
Demus was ultimately carted off the field. He yelled to his teammates “I’m coming back!” as the cart rode off the field.
That inspirational moment only motivated his team for a moment. Then Iowa turned the game into a rout. They outscored Maryland 31-0 in the second quarter alone.
Just like that Maryland trailed 34-7 at halftime. They’d lost their best player to potential devastating injury. The Terrapins came crashing back to Earth. Reality set in, that despite their first 4-0 start since 2016, despite their first undefeated non-conference slate in five years, Maryland was no match for the elite of the Big Ten.
It’s been a harsh reality that Maryland has faced since leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference for the Big Ten in 2014. Maryland has improved its level of talent at nearly every position. But, it’s still not good enough to win in the Big Ten, not against the top echelon of the league.
Taulia Tagovailoa old struggles resurface
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa looked like a Heisman Trophy candidate the first four weeks of the season. He entered Friday’s contest with 10 touchdowns against one interception. However, the wheels fell off for the younger brother of former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa.
Taulia Tagovailoa threw four interceptions in the first half before throwing a fifth to seal his dreadful evening. Iowa’s defense picked off Maryland quarterbacks six times in total.
As a transfer freshman, Tagovailoa struggled to protect the football during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He threw seven picks in four games. On Friday all of his flaws were on display as he gave away the football five times.
He faced the reality that he was no longer playing the lacking defenses of West Virginia, Howard and Kent State. Instead, he was facing the big dawgs of the Big Ten.
Hawkeyes’ strengthens candidacy for CFB Playoff
And Iowa is a big dawg. The Hawkeyes had impressive wins like beating in-state rival Iowa State. But, they hadn’t had a true coming out party. Friday was it.
Yet, it was Iowa that stood tall. Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras threw for 259 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-30 passing. He also scored two touchdowns on the ground. The Five touchdown performance just put the icing on the cake.
While Maryland faced reality that they’re still a bottom dweller in the Big Ten, Iowa stamped their candidacy for the CFB Playoff.
Maryland faces same song and dance in Big Ten
Following the disappointing loss, Maryland head coach Mike Locksley tried to stress Friday was an aberration.
Unfortunately, Maryland has done the same song and dance. They had a promising start at 4-0. However, the schedule doesn’t get any easier.
Next week, Maryland travels to Ohio State, who while they have a loss on their record, is still five football fields ahead of the Terrapins. Maryland caught no more breaks the remainder of the season.
They have trips to Minnesota, Michigan State and to the improved Rutgers. Home games against Penn State, Michigan and an Indiana team that hasn’t met their 2021 expectation, but again are ahead of the Terrapins in the pecking order of the tough Big Ten East.
Being potentially without Demus will also be a hindrance to Maryland’s efforts to get back on track. He accounted for 28 catches, 507 yards and three touchdowns before his injury. Rakim Jarrett and Jeshaun Jones are two-thirds of their talented wide receiver trio. But neither has been playing lights out like Demus.
Can Maryland find a way to get back on track? They’ll have to get a few shockers along the way. If Friday night was any indication, Maryland could be facing an all familiar scene.
