No. 14 Michigan Rolls Past Maryland 38-7 In Big Ten Matchup
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Giles Jackson returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to get things started for No. 14 Michigan, which used two first-half scoring runs by freshman Zach Charbonnet to pull away from Maryland in a 38-7 victory on Saturday.
Seeking to build on a 45-14 rout of Notre Dame one week earlier, the Wolverines (7-2, 4-2 Big Ten) went up 21-0 at halftime and coasted to the finish against the fading Terrapins (3-6, 1-5).
Jackson's game-opening dash down the right sideline set the tone. Charbonnet ended Michigan's first drive with a 2-yard run, and the defense made those two scores stand up.
The Wolverines' special teams contributed, too. In addition to the kickoff return, Michigan used a successful fake punt to set up Charbonnet's second TD, and a partially blocked punt led to a third-quarter touchdown run by Hassan Haskins for a 35-0 lead.
Wearing throwback uniforms from a far brighter era of Maryland football, the Terrapins absorbed an old-fashioned beatdown on homecoming. Maryland has lost six of seven under first-year coach Michael Locksley.
Javon Leake's 97-yard kickoff return late in the third quarter was one of very few highlights for the Terrapins.
Maryland won the coin toss and deferred the decision to the second half, giving Michigan the opportunity to get its offense on the field first. Jackson's sprint with the opening kickoff enabled the Terrapins to run the first play from scrimmage after all — a 6-yard loss.
That led to a three-and-out and a short punt. Minutes later, Charbonnet scored on a 2-yard run.
Maryland's next two possessions ended with an interception and a botched 37-yard field goal.
Late in the first half, the Wolverines lined up to punt on a fourth-and-1. Michael Barrett took a short snap and ran for 14 yards, Shea Patterson followed with a 51-yard completion to Nico Collins and Charbonnet capped the drive with an 8-yard TD run.
Charbonnet has scored four touchdowns in the last two games. His 11 TDs are a Michigan single-season record for a freshman.
THE TAKEAWAY
Michigan: The Wolverines were efficient, if not spectacular, in a rout that was not at all unexpected. Patterson was a pedestrian 13 of 22 for 151 yards before sitting out the final 16 minutes.
Maryland: The Terps are struggling on offense, defense and special teams. Their lone win since Sept. 7 was against woeful Rutgers.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Michigan jumped five spots after beating Notre Dame and should move up a notch or two with this dominating performance.
STREAK OVER
Maryland's streak of forcing a turnover in 20 straight games ended. It was the longest current run in the FBS and six short of the school record.
UP NEXT
Michigan: The Wolverines have an open week, followed by a home matchup with rival Michigan State on Nov. 16.
Maryland: It doesn't get any easier for the Terrapins. Maryland travels to Ohio State to face the No. 3 Buckeyes, who did not play this week.
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