Maryland football cruises to 31-13 win over Auburn in Music City Bowl
The Terps had no trouble with the Tigers, pouncing on them early and often.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — From the opening series to the final whistle, there was never a doubt which team was going to emerge victorious from Saturday’s Transperfect Music City Bowl in Nashville. It was all Maryland, all game long, as the Terps pounced on Auburn and rolled to a 31-13 win.
The Terps have made a habit of finishing their seasons on a winning note. They’ve won bowl games in three consecutive years for the first time in program history, two of which have come in dominant fashion. Sandwiching a narrow 16-12 win over NC State in last year’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl are Saturday’s result and a 54-10 drubbing of Virginia Tech in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl.
Most notable from Saturday’s game was the play of Maryland’s inexperienced quarterbacks. With usual starter Taulia Tagovailoa opting out, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the duo of Billy Edwards Jr. and Cam Edge had some early-game jitters. Instead, they shined, putting forth a trio of first-quarter touchdown drives that deflated the Tigers.
It took less than two minutes for the Terps to find the end zone, with a 61-yard screen pass to Roman Hemby setting up an Edwards rushing score — his seventh of the season. They were more methodical on their subsequent 75-yard drive, needing 11 plays for Edwards to find tight end Preston Howard in the end zone with 5:58 left in the period.
Next up: Edge, a redshirt freshman earning the first run of extended playing time in his career. Unlike Edwards, a dual-threat quarterback, Edge has presented himself as a traditional pocket passer. He wasted no time showing why, unleashing his first pass of the game deep downfield for a 57-yard completion to Kaden Prather. On the following play, Edge lobbed the ball to freshman tight end Dylan Wade for a 3-yard score to make it 21-0.
Both Edwards and Edge commanded the offense with comfort. Although Edwards was inefficient as a passer — he completed only six of his 20 passes for a total of 126 yards — the Terps moved the ball effectively with him under center, as he also added 45 yards rushing. Edge was errant on only one of his five pass attempts, an interception after his receiver tripped on a deep route.
With Tagovailoa leaving, both Edwards and Edge will be in the mix for the starting job next year. If Saturday was an early try-out, Terps head coach Mike Locksley will have plenty to think about before spring practice.
Maryland outplayed its opponent in all three phases, also impressing on special teams and defense. After Auburn scored its first touchdown late in the second quarter, Jack Howes responded with a 49-yard field goal. The Terps also jumped on a pair of fumbled second-half punt returns.
Maryland intercepted Auburn twice, with defensive back Glendon Miller returning his for a touchdown early in the third quarter to put the cherry on top of a commanding performance. As Miller strutted into the end zone with the Tigers watching in dismay, his lifted a celebratory finger in the air as his teammates exploded with joy behind.
Three things to know
1. Edwards and Edge stepped up. There were rightful concerns about Maryland’s quarterback situation for the bowl game after Tagovailoa opted out. But Edwards and Edge looked comfortable and did what was necessary for the Terps to beat Auburn, combining for 208 passing yards and three total touchdowns.
2. Young tight ends. Maryland’s tight ends also gave a glimpse as to what the future may hold. Usual starter Corey Dyches is in the transfer portal, giving youngsters Preston Howard and Dylan Wade more burn. They both caught touchdowns on Saturday.
3. Three straight bowl wins. Maryland has won three straight bowl games for the second time in its history, but did so in consecutive years for the first time. As the Terps’ head coach, Mike Locksley is undefeated in bowl games with a positive scoring margin of 66 points.
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