How Maryland Football Fell Short in Matchup vs. Northwestern

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Max Bortenschlager
COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 14: Quarterback Max Bortenschlager /
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Maryland football needed a win today in their Big Ten home opener against the Northwestern Wildcats, and they were unable to do so in front of the home fans, losing 37-21.

Maryland football quarterback  Max Bortenschlager returned to start this week’s game after suffering an injury in the Ohio State game. Maryland football was unable to take a lead late and suffered their second straight loss.

Northwestern Running Back Justin Jackson ran all over Maryland’s defense while Terps Running Back Ty Johnson ran for only 20 yards on 10 carries. Jackson had 28 carries, 171 yards ( 6.1 yards per rush) and two touchdowns.

With his performance, he moved to first in rushing yards (4,639) and All-Purpose yards (5,350). He is second in school history with 36 rushing touchdowns.

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The Wildcats had over 500 yards of total offense (239 rushing) and the defense held Ty Johnson to 20 yards on 10 carries which were very uncharacteristic for him. That just speaks to Northwestern’s game planning and preparation for a guy who has three 100-yard games on the season.

D.J. Moore posted career highs in this game with 12 receptions and 175 yards. He saw the end zone twice in this game.

If things weren’t bad enough for Maryland football in this game, Bortenschlager almost got injured again scrambling and hurting shoulder. He was able to finish the game and recorded 17 completed passes, 255 yards and three touchdowns.

The Terps stand at 3-3 and their schedule doesn’t get any easier. they play at Wisconsin Saturday, Oct. 21, Indiana at home for homecoming, Rutgers at Yankee Stadium Oct. 28 and Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State to end the season.

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Six games into the 2017 college football season, Maryland football has seen more bad than good and it’s unfortunate especially because there were such high expectations and excitement surrounding the team coming into 2017.