Written by: TJ Inman
The Maryland Terrapins entered today’s game against the #2 Indiana Hoosiers at just 4-3 but Mike Locksley’s squad had led each game in the fourth quarter before falling by a combined ten points. There was a lot of talk about the Terrapins working during their bye week to close games but the Indiana Hoosiers made sure they had no chance to fix that issue, jumping out to a 20-3 halftime lead and then burying the Terrapins with an avalanche of three touchdowns in a matter of minutes to grab a commanding 41-10 advantage and cruising to a 55-10 victory over Maryland in College Park.
The win moves IU to 9-0 as they head to State College to play the Penn State Nittany Lions. Despite missing All-American linebacker Aiden Fisher, starting left guard Drew Evans and then losing All-American receiver Elijah Sarratt early in the game, Indiana outgained Maryland 588-293. IU possessed the ball for 40 minutes and 16 seconds of the contest as they ran the ball 52 times for 367 yards. The Terrapins entered the contest as the number one team in the country in turnover margin but the Hoosiers forced five turnovers and were +4 in that department.
Maryland’s Homecoming game got underway with a sellout crowd and a “Red Out” in the stands and the crowd was given something to cheer about right away as Fernando Mendoza threw an interception on the game’s opening possession. Maryland was set up on the IU 12-yard line but the Hoosiers’ defense stood tall and forced a short field goal to open the scoring at 3-0. IU’s offense went three and out on their second possession as backup left guard Zen Michalski gave up a sack but the defense forced Maryland to punt and the offense roared to life with a 13-play drive for 93 yards and Fernando Mendoza scampered untouched into the end zone on a quarterback draw to put the Hoosiers ahead 7-3.
Kaiden Turner, in on as a third linebacker with Aiden Fisher out, had a huge interception before falling to the turf with a calf injury and IU’s offense drove the into scoring territory on a long reception for Charlie Becker before settling for a short field goal from Nico Radicic to make it 10-3. Malik Washington threw his second interception in three attempts as Louis Moore caught a deep ball and the Hoosiers went 84 yards with Mendoza connecting with Omar Cooper for a touchdown to extend the lead to 17-3. Maryland was forced to punt again as IU’s defense continued to limit the Terrapins’ offense and the Hoosiers took over possession with 2:55 remaining in the half. Indiana picked up three first downs and Nico Radicic connected on a 46-yard field goal to make it 20-3 at halftime. The Hoosiers dominated to the tune of 290 yards to 86.
Maryland began the second half with an impressive punch back as Washington hit Dejuan Williams for a 55-yard catch and run touchdown to make it 20-10 and give the home fans a bit of hope. That feeling did not last long as IU’s offense responded by pounding the ball on the ground for a 63-yard drive that ended with Kaelon Black’s 31-yard touchdown run to put IU ahead 27-10. Devan Boykin stripped the ball from Maryland’s quarterback, scooped up the ball and ran in for a touchdown to make it 34-10 and freshman safety Byron Baldwin made his presence known with a strip and recovery that set the Hoosiers up in great field position. Just two plays later, former Maryland running back Roman Hemby rumbled into the end zone and IU was ahead 41-10 with an avalanche of three touchdowns in rapid succession.
The defense continued to dominate Maryland and Alberto Mendoza came in for his older brother and threw a touchdown pass to Jonathan Brady to make it 48-10. Maryland came up empty on a fourth down inside the red zone and then Alberto Mendoza scampered 53 yards on a scramble before finishing the drive by handing it off to Khobie Martin for a short touchdown to put the finishing touches on the blowout.
Fernando Mendoza was 14-21 for 201 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown to lead the offense. Kaelon Black paced the rushing attack with 110 yards on 14 carries but it was truly a balanced attack as Roman Hemby, Khobie Martin and Alberto Mendoza all surpassed 50 yards on the ground. Devan Boykin was a standout on defense with four tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown while Rolijah Hardy led the team in tackles.
The Hoosiers continue the road trip with a game at Penn State next Saturday before Senior Day in Bloomington against Wisconsin and then the regular season finale at Purdue.