The Longhorns were determined to avoid consecutive week-one losses to the Maryland Terrapins, and for a short time, it looked like they might do so. Three turnovers in the fourth quarter were to blame for Texas’ inability to make a comeback over a team that beat them handily at home to start the 2017 season. Two turnovers were attributed to quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who threw two interceptions with less than seven minutes to play.
Kasim Hill got the starting nod over Tyrrell Pigrome at quarterback for the Terrapins, and Hill wasted no time getting the offense moving. After taking the field with 10 players to honor former player Jordan McNair who passed away this summer, Maryland wasted no time and struck first on the opening drive of the game with a 28-yard run by true freshman wide receiver Jeshaun Jones.
Texas would tie the game on a touchdown strike from Sam Ehlinger to a stretched-out Devin Duvernay at the 9:17 mark in the first quarter.
Hill answered the Texas score with a 65 yard touchdown pass to Jeshaun Jones to give Maryland a 14-7 lead.
Following a 33-yard field goal by Joseph Petrino, Jeshaun Jones found Taivon Jacobs for a 20-yard touchdown to give Maryland a 24-7 advantage. With a quarter and a half in the books, Jones had already ran for, thrown and caught touchdown passes for the Terrapins.
True freshman running back Keaontay Ingram scored his first touchdown as a Longhorn mid-way through the second half, following up an 18-yard run with a 5-yard trot into the end zone. Texas cut the Maryland lead to 24-14.
The Longhorns added defensive points with 1:27 remaining in the half, stopping Terrapin running back Jake Funk in the end zone for a safety. The Texas offense would immediately get to work with great field position after Maryland’s ensuing free kick sailed out of bounds. Ehlinger struck again, finding a leaping Collin Johnson in the end zone for a 22-yard score.
The Terrapins took a 24-22 halftime lead into the locker room.
The Longhorns put up the only points of the third quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by Kyle Porter, which was setup by a 33-yard catch by Collin Johnson. With 4:14 left in the 3rd quarter, Texas held its first lead of the game.
Maryland would use the remainder of the quarter to march down the field, setting up a 17-yard rush for a touchdown by T. Fleet Davis early in the 4th quarter.
With 14:25 left in the game and Maryland leading Texas 31-29, both teams would head for the locker room due to inclement weather.
After an hour and half delay the game resumed with the sun shining and the field in less-than desirable condition.
Maryland’s Joseph Petrino would make good on an 18-yard field goal to extend the Terrapin lead to 34-29 with 6:45 left on the clock. On the following Texas drive, Sam Ehlinger’s pass to LJ Humphrey was intercepted, and the Terrapins would take over at midfield. The Texas defense forced Maryland to a three-and-out on its next offensive possession, giving the Longhorns the ball with 4:35 left. Tre Watson’s fumble gave the ball back to the Terrapins, again at mid-field, but Hill & co would struggle to move the ball on the Texas defense.
Brandon Jones’ 27-yard punt return provided a much-needed spark, allowing the Longhorns to move the ball into Maryland territory. After converting a critical 4th down, Texas looked to have life again with less than 2:00 minutes.
On 3rd and 10 with 1:29 remaining, Ehlinger struggled to find an open receiver and forced a pass that was intercepted by Antoine Brooks Jr.
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger finished 21/39 with 263 yards passing and two interceptions. Grad transfer Tre Watson led the Longhorns with 52 yards rushing on 12 carries.
The Longhorns amassed 405 yards of total offense compared to 407 yards by the Terrapins. Texas rushed for 142 yards just short of Maryland’s 143 yards.
The Longhorns will host Tulsa next Saturday at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin.
