Hoosiers Drop One-Sided Battle Against Maryland

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Nate Sudfeld and the Hoosiers fell behind early and could not recover against Maryland on Saturday. Image Source: USA Today

Nate Sudfeld and the Hoosiers fell behind early and could not recover against Maryland on Saturday. Image Source: USA Today

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Maryland Terrapin (4-1, 1-0) started their era of Big Ten football off with a 37-15 drubbing of the Indiana Hoosiers (2-2, 0-1). The Hoosiers, coming off an upset win at Missouri, came out flat and failed to get any traction on offense. Maryland opened the game with a field goal on their first drive and held the Hoosiers to just three points and 96 yards in the first stanza. Indiana did themselves no favors in the first quarter either as a Shane Wynn punt return touchdown was called back because of a hold at 9:14 of the first. Penalties and missed opportunities became the story of the game for the Hoosiers, as they had another touchdown negated by a hold. In all the Hoosiers had eight penalties for 50 yards. The IU offense could not get going as the Maryland defense held them to 15 points and just 302 total yards. Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld finished the game 14 of 35 for 126 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He averaged a microscopic 3.6 yards per pass. Indiana’s only touchdown came from running back Tevin Coleman who finished with 122 yards on 22 carries. Indiana closed to within 20-9 on a 58-yard field goal from Griffin Oakes. The field goal was the longest in IU history, beating out Scott Bonnell’s 55-yarder against Michigan in 1989.

Maryland controlled the game from the get go and took a 20-9 lead into the half. The Terrapins then rattled off two straight scores in the second half to open up a 34-9 lead and put the game away. Maryland was led on offense by backup quarterback Caleb Rowe (186 yards 2 TDs), who replaced a banged up CJ Brown (163 yards 1 TD) and receiver Stefon Diggs who had a big day with six catches for 112 yards and a score. Maryland gained the final margin of victory when kicker Brad Craddock hit a 48-yard field goal to increase the lead to 37-15 with 5:56 to play.