Despite a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty before the game began, Maryland (6-3, 3-2 Big Ten) topped Penn State (4-4, 1-3 Big Ten) 20-19 after a field goal late in the fourth quarter gave them the edge.
Maryland opened the second quarter with a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback C.J. Brown to tight end P.J. Gallo to take a four-point lead after a Penn State field goal in the first. Following two spectacular catches from Amba Etta-Tawo and Stefon Diggs, running back Wes Brown took the half-yard rush to grab a touchdown for the Terps, pushing their lead to 17-16. A final field goal from the 43-yard line by Brad Craddock pushed Maryland ahead by one point to finish the game.
With nine total tackles and a fumble recovery, senior linebacker Mike Hull led Penn State’s stellar defense to hold Maryland to 35 net rushing yards and 196 yards of total offense, but the Nittany Lions’ offense struggled to spark any kind of movement; junior tight end Jesse James’ eight-yard catch in the third quarter was the only touchdown for Penn State.
In the post-game press conference, head coach James Franklin acknowledged that the offense still isn’t where he wants it to be, saying, “The only way of getting through these things is by working hard.”
Redshirt freshman DaeSean Hamilton brought in five catches for a total of 42 yards. Hamilton has now broken the Penn State freshman yardage receiving record set in 2005 by Deon Butler with a total of 728 yards on the season.
Senior kicker Sam Ficken kept Penn State in the game, recording four field goals, three of which were from beyond 46 yards. With those four attempts, Ficken has tied for third on Penn State’s career field goal list.
The above-mentioned penalty came after three Maryland captains refused to shake hands with the Penn State captains during the coin toss. There was also a scuffle on the sidelines that did not result in an immediate penalty for either team. Terrapins’ coach Randy Edsall later apologized for his team’s behavior, but added, “Let the rivalry begin.”
Penn State will meet Indiana at Memorial Stadium next Saturday at noon. The game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
