Indiana football fell to Maryland at home 38-33 during fall break. The game could not have started much worse for the Hoosiers as junior quarterback Connor Bazelak’s first pass of the game was tipped into the hands of the Terrapin defense. Following the turnover, the Maryland offense, led by quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, made quick work of the Indiana defense, capping off a short drive with a read option touchdown for Tagovailoa. On its next drive, Indiana’s offense made a splash play to receiver Emery Simmons for a gain of 40 yards, resulting in points via a field goal. Maryland led 7-3 to end the first quarter.
Soon after, Tagovailoa found his tight end CJ Dippre for the 18-yard score. With the second quarter underway, Maryland led by a score of 14-3. Indiana’s offensive struggles continued as they failed to get first downs. Fortunately for the Hoosiers, their defense was able to hold the Terrapins to a field goal attempt from 50 yards on their next possession which ended up missing to the left. With just over 10 minutes to play in the first half, Indiana’s offense found a rhythm. Bazelak hit running back Josh Henderson for a 44-yard touchdown to close the gap, and the score became 14-10 in favor of Maryland. With 1:47 left in the first half, Indiana called the Philly Special and McCulley hit his quarterback Bazelak in stride to make it first and goal. Shortly thereafter, Bazelak threw a fade to receiver Cam Camper to give the Hoosiers their first lead, 17-14 entering halftime.
Maryland received the opening kick of the third quarter. At 13:23 in the third quarter, Tagovailoa found Dontay Demus Jr. for a 17-yard touchdown to make the score 21-17, Maryland. Immediately following the score, Bazelak gave the ball right back to Maryland with his second interception of the game on his first dropback of the second half. With 8:56 to play in the third, Maryland made a 36-yard field goal to extend their lead to 24-17. Indiana stalled in the red zone on their next drive and was forced into a 26-yard field goal. The score was 24-20, Maryland, with 3:16 remaining in the third quarter.
Just 51 seconds into the fourth quarter, Indiana running back Josh Henderson caps off the drive from 2 yards out to put Indiana back in front 27-24. At 12:01 in the fourth, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was carted off the field following a knee injury. After a big unsportsmanlike conduct call against Indiana, with 5:35 left in the game, Maryland running back Roman Hemby scored to put the Terrapins back in front 31-27. With 5:02 remaining in the game, after a great kickoff return from Jaylin Lucas, Hoosier receiver Andison Coby fumbled the ball and Maryland recovered. On third down and nine, Hemby ran the ball for 46 yards to crush Indiana’s chances. Following the run, backup quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. took it in himself to make the score 38-27. A last-ditch drive from Indiana ended up in a first and goal opportunity following two amazing pass plays. One play later Aaron Steinfeld caught a touchdown pass from Bazelak to cut into the lead. Indiana failed on the two-point conversion, 38-33. A failed onside kick sealed Indiana’s fate.
