Down 14 with 3:22 remaining on the game clock, Saturday\u2019s game looked like just another disastrous Maryland football defeat. Instead, it ended up being far more heartbreaking than Terps fans would have imagined.<\/p>\n
Facing fourth-and-3 on Rutgers\u2019 11-yard line with 16 seconds left on the clock, quarterback Malik Washington lofted a pass to tight end Dorian Fleming in the back-right corner of the endzone. But when he came down with the ball, his left foot landed just millimeters out of bounds.<\/p>\n
Head coach Mike Locksley was a toe away from saving his season and changing the narrative of his program after four straight losses. A 23-13 Maryland halftime lead dissolved in the second half. The Terps gave up 24 consecutive points en route to their 12th straight conference loss, a 37-30 conquest by the Scarlet Knights.<\/p>\n
\u201dI\u2019ve coached in Maryland long enough to know how you just withstand it,\u201d Locksley said. \u201cYou stay convicted on doing whatever it takes to get out of that and give your best, and that\u2019s what I\u2019m gonna continue to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locksley and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano were each firmly on the hot seat heading into a do-or-die Saturday game. With the Terps in must-win territory, the playbook was opened, and an unlikely source benefited to open the scoring.<\/p>\n
After a dynamic one-handed sideline grab from tight end Preston Howard, the Terps found themselves inches from the goal line midway through the first quarter. Washington handed the ball to freshman tight end Damon Hall Jr., who had one catch to his name, and he muscled into the end zone to draw first blood.<\/p>\n
The battle between coaches was far from the only highly-contested bout Saturday. Maryland cornerback Jamare Glasker frequently matched up with star receiver KJ Duff and was in the thick of a string of highlight-reel moments.<\/p>\n
With less than a minute to go in the opening frame, Duff reached up for an Odell Beckham Jr.-esque catch while well-covered by Glasker and dragged his foot for Rutgers\u2019 first touchdown.<\/p>\n
Scarlet Knights quarterback Dylan Lonergan completed his first six passing attempts, including the score, but the senior stumbled in the second quarter. Facing third and long, Lonergan threw a pass well behind his receiver straight into the welcoming arms of Glasker \u2014 his second interception in three weeks.<\/p>\n
When Lonergan regained his composure, he continued to relentlessly target Duff. The 6-foot-6 jump ball threat slid past Glasker again with 4:18 left in the second quarter and easily claimed his second touchdown of the day. Duff finished the game with 113 receiving yards on 9 catches.<\/p>\n
Glasker made up for the blown coverage moment just moments later, scooping and scoring an extra point block from Trey Reddick to preserve Maryland\u2019s narrow lead.<\/p>\n
The Terps needed time to spark offensively. Kaleb Webb nearly coughed up a fumble on the opening return, and Washington went 2-for-6 in the air on a scoreless drive. But the key to the Terps\u2019 first half was the tight end room.<\/p>\n
While the emphasis on tight ends may have been due to a lack of available skill players \u2014 wide receiver Na\u2019eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding didn\u2019t play and Webb spent time in the medical tent \u2014 it helped Maryland present something unique for its second score of the game.<\/p>\n
The Terps lined up on the three-yard line with tight ends Hall, AJ Szymanski and Fleming flanking the line and another in Howard at fullback. Washington took the snap and faked the handoff before firing a bullet to an uncovered Fleming to retake the lead.<\/p>\n
Offensive coordinator Clint Trickett continued to throw the entire playbook at the Scarlet Knights. A double reverse 16 yards from paydirt \u2014 cleared on the edge with a hefty block by Washington \u2014 gave Durr a clear lane to the endzone to grow the lead to 10 heading into the locker room with less than a minute to go before halftime.<\/p>\n
Coming out of the half, Maryland appeared to run out of gas. A short-range field goal from Rutgers on its first drive of the third quarter was followed by a left-post doink by kicker Sean O\u2019Haire from 34 yards out.<\/p>\n