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EAST HARTFORD – UConn football hosted Maryland with a chance to make a statement against a power conference opponent, but fell flat.
The Huskies scored first on a long touchdown pass, but the Terrapins responded with 24 unanswered points and took a comfortable lead into the 4th quarter as the visitors prevailed, 38-14, at Rentschler Field on Saturday.
Maryland got the ball first and punted on the first drive after moving it a little. UConn had a similar result, getting two first downs before punting near midfield. But the Huskies pinned the Terps down on their own 10 and then held them to a three-and-out on their ensuing possession.
The home team took over with good field position and took advantage for the game’s first points. On 1st & 10 from the Maryland 36, Kalieb Osborne found an open JD Willoughby in the middle of the end zone on a post route to make it 7-0.
The Terps tied it up on the following possession with a 60-yard catch-and-run by Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding.
The Huskies earned two first downs on the next four plays, including an impressive 26-yard scramble by Osborne. But he was sacked on the next play and fumbled. Maryland went four-and-out, giving the ball up in the middle of the field after a turnover on downs. But UConn failed to capitalize and let the game slip away.
A four-yard loss on first down was followed by a false start, making it 2nd & 19 on the drive’s third play with the Huskies eager to respond. They punted two plays later, and then a drive aided by two pass interference penalties went 92 yards for a go-ahead touchdown for Maryland, 14-7.
UConn punted for the second time after its fumble before the Terps mounted another long drive, this time for a field goal to make it 17-7 at halftime.
The Huskies got the ball first to start the half but moved backwards and went three-and-out. Maryland was now wearing down the Husky front after doing it through the short passing attack most of the game. RB Iverson Howard scored their next touchdown to make it 24-7.
Osborne hit Shamar Porter for completions of 20 and 39 yards, with the latter going to the end zone to make it 24-14. The Terps calmly responded with another touchdown drive, five passes followed by two runs into the end zone to make it 31-14 going into the fourth quarter.
Maryland had worn UConn down by that point and was starting to find more space in the running game late. The short passes were effective, as Malik Washington completed 83 percent of his 41 pass attempts while his receivers racked up 222 yards after catch. He finished with 347 passing yards and two TDs.
Abdul-Rahim Gladdin and Chris Durr Jr. both went over 100 yards receiving for Maryland, as they were finding space against UConn’s inexperienced secondary. The transfer receivers caught a touchdown each as well.
Osborne finished 10-of-21 for 156 yards, two TDs, and the fumble. For the second straight week, he was the Huskies’ leading rusher with 30 yards as the running backs were not clicking at all. The passing game didn’t fare much better. Porter’s two receptions on that TD drive helped him post a team-high three receptions for 62 yards.
Maryland added another touchdown in a scoreless final frame for the hosts to make it 38-14 at the final whistle. The Huskies finished with a modest 4.3 yards per play and 2.2 yards per rush, while allowing 8.4 yards per attempt and 6.1 yards per play. The Terps had 27 first downs while the home team managed just 12.
Next up, UConn visits Southern Miss for its first road game of the season. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+ from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
