Maryland stuns No. 23 Texas with interim coach
LANDOVER, Md. — It was one of those rare occurrences when the sequel proved even more impressive than the original.
Maryland emerged from a trying offseason with an emotionally charged 34-29 upset of No. 23 Texas on Saturday, shaking off a lengthy weather delay to provide Matt Canada a satisfying victory in his debut at the Terrapins’ interim coach.
After blowing a 24-7 lead, Maryland forced three turnovers in the final 6:09 and scored the game’s final 10 points to stun the Longhorns in the opener for the second year in a row.
As remarkable as last season’s 51-41 win at Texas was, this victory was far more notable because of what they endured this summer.
Maryland has dedicated its season to offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who collapsed on the practice field on May 29 and died two weeks later of heatstroke.
The Terrapins paid tribute to McNair by lining up with 10 players on their first offensive play. Maryland waited for a delay of game to be called, and Texas declined the penalty in a show of sportsmanship.
Maryland players wore a sticker No. 79 on their helmets and emerged from the tunnel with one of his former teammates carrying a red flag, also emblazoned with McNair’s number. In addition, there was a moment of silence before the game.
The circumstances surrounding the medical treatment administered to McNair on the scene, as well as charges of bullying by the coaching staff, led to the university placing head coach D.J. Durkin on administrative leave and the resignation of strength coach Rick Court.
Canada, the offensive coordinator, was named the interim coach. To his credit, he put in a strong offensive game plan and had his team ready to play.
“I just can’t say enough about our players, everything they’ve been through and the way they stuck together,” Canada said. “It was a great way to honor Jordan. This was a win for Jordan. We’re certainly proud of our team, proud of our program.”
Freshman Jeshaun Jones ran for a score, threw for one and caught a 65-yard TD pass. Quarterback Kasim Hill went 17 for 29 for 222 yards.
“Everything that has happened this summer has brought us closer together,” Hill said. “It was just fun to be back out there.”
Now in their second year under coach Tom Herman, the Longhorns figured this opener
would be different.
It was not.
“A lot of people are going to say it feels a lot like last year,” Herman said. “It doesn’t to me.”
Texas took its first lead in the third quarter after Canada opted to keep his offense on the field for a fourth-and-1 from the Maryland 36. Hill was stuffed for no gain, Kyle Porter scored from the 2 to make it 29-24.
After Hill directed a 79-yard drive that put the Terps back in front with 14:25 remaining, a potential thunderstorm caused a delay of 86 minutes. Texas came out flat after the stoppage. “This is not much of a setback,” left guard Patrick Vahe insisted. “We just have to learn from all of the mistakes we had in this game.”
The game began with teams putting up 21 points in just over seven minutes. Jones opened with a 28-yard touchdown run, Longhorns junior Devin Duvernay caught a 39-yard pass in the end zone and Jones followed with a TD catch.
In the second quarter, the Terrapins cashed in on a 15-yard punt, getting a halfback-option throw from Jones to Taivon Jacobs for a 24-7 lead.
The Longhorns nearly pulled even by halftime. A touchdown run by Keaontay Ingram, a safety and an excellent catch in the end zone by Collin Johnson made it 24-22 at the break.
The Longhorns fell from the rankings after losing in the opener to Maryland last year, and it’s likely that will happen again. The players lamented several critical mistakes that played a pivotal role in the loss. In addition to the three turnovers, Texas committed 10 penalties for 102 yards.
“We beat ourselves out there,” said Johnson, who had three receptions for 59 yards, “Nothing against Maryland. We got their best shot like we knew they would and we came up short. We have to respond the right way.”
Texas opens its home schedule next Saturday night against Tulsa. Maryland takes to the road Saturday for a matchup against Bowling Green.