The Penn State Nittany Lions (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) outlasted the University of Maryland Terrapins (2-5, 0-3 Big Ten) on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium. The final score was 31-30.
Big Plays: Despite the nail-biter, Penn State had a good outing. Not only did the team earn bowl eligibility with its sixth win of the season, but quarterback Christian Hackenberg also knocked former QB Zach Mills out of the Penn State record books. The junior signal-caller took over the career records for passing (7,453) and completions (608) in the win.
Recap: The game see-sawed back and forth from start to finish, but five turnovers, including three interceptions by Maryland quarterback Perry Hills, ultimately put Penn State in front.
The Lions drew first blood with a six-yard run from the standout freshman Saquon Barkley. Freshman kicker Joey Julius nailed the extra point attempt with 2:49 to play in the first half.
The Terrapins answered 1:13 seconds later with a 12-yard run from Hills, and the first quarter ended with the score tied at seven.
Maryland took the lead in the second quarter with two quick field goals from kicker Brad Craddock. The first was from the 44-yard line; the second was from the 27-yard line.
The Terps’ initial lead was short-lived; the Lions went on a 42-second, 75-yard drive that was punctuated with a 37-yard one-handed catch by Chris Godwin to put the Lions up by one point. Julius ended the half with a 40-yard field goal to put the Lions up by four.
Maryland opened the second half with a 10-yard rushing touchdown by Brandon Ross, giving the Terrapins a 20-17 lead before DaeSean Hamilton collected a 20-yard pass from Hackenberg with 5:32 remaining, lifting the Lions with a four-point lead.
The back-and-forth action continued with just a few seconds remaining in the third quarter when DeAndre Lane picked up a 10-yard pass from Hills.
Geno Lewis grabbed a 27-yard pass from Hackenberg to give Penn State a 31-27 lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. Despite a promising 39-yard field goal from Craddock with 10:15 remaining, a combination of Hills’ final fumble of the night and the Lions’ solid defense prevented a last minute score by Maryland to give Penn State the win on a cloudy, temperate day in Baltimore.
Next Week: Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini at 12:00 p.m. on Halloween. ESPN2 will carry live coverage of the game.
