MADSION, Wis. – After three weeks of anticipation, the Maryland football team answered questions of legitimacy, earning its first-ever win over the Wisconsin Badgers, 27-10 on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Terps advanced to 4-0 on the season. It is the third time in five years Maryland will begin the season with four straight wins. The visiting Terrapins secured a 20-0 lead going into halftime and never looked back. Malik Washington threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns.
The Terps shined on defense and special teams. Maryland’s defense collected six sacks from six different players. Daniel Wingate led the way with 11 tackles. Jalen Husky made a major impact, making a key tackle to force a turnover on down on Wisconsin’s final drive of the first half. He also recorded the lone turnover of the game, an interception on a deep ball from Wisconsin second-string quarterback Danny O’Neil after former Maryland quarterback and Badgers’ starter Billy Edwards Jr. exited early due to injury to set up Maryland’s first touchdown. He had missed the prior two games.
Maryland’s special teams made an immediate impact. On Wisconsin’s opening drive, Zahir Mathis blocked a field goal attempt. Later in the quarter, Messiah Delhome added a blocked punt to cap off a dominant first frame. It was the first of two first quarter blocks as Messiah Delhome blocked a punt to conclude the first frame. The ensuing Terrapin drive ended with Washington finding Shaleak Knotts for a touchdown on a crossing route to set the lead at 14-0.
Maryland’s defense stood strong through a quiet second quarter, allowing just 66 total yards. With just over a minute and a half remaining, Wisconsin began its final drive of the first half. After advancing to the Terps 37, the Badgers drive stalled out and Maryland got the ball back with just 25 seconds on the clock. On the first play of the drive, Washington found Octavian Smith for 48 yards to set up a field goal to end the half. Smith finished with 113 yards on the day.
The third quarter was slow both sides as the Terrapin offense failed to earn a first down, but again the Maryland defense dominated allowing just 77 yards of total offense despite over 10 minutes of possession for the Badgers. Wisconsin got on the board via field goal early in the third, their lone score of the game until the final 30 seconds.
Wisconsin attempted to battle back in the game as the fourth quarter began, beginning the final stanza converting a 4th and one on Maryland’s 20. Wisconsin tried to mount a comeback early in the fourth, converting a fourth-and-one at Maryland’s 20. But three straight tackles for loss — including a 19-yard sack by Cam Rice — knocked the Badgers out of field-goal range and forced a punt. A few plays later, Washington found Knotts for a 52 yard touchdown to put the Terps up, 27-3, putting the contest to bed.
The Terps will have next weekend off before hosting Washington on October, 4.
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