The Big Ten opener was a big-time butt whooping for the Gophers as they were blown out on the road against the Maryland Terrapins.
Maryland struck with two long touchdown runs in the first quarter and never looked back. Anthony McFarland scored the first touchdown from 26 yards out and Ty Johnson followed on Maryland’s third possession with an 81-yard burst.
Leading 14-3 in the second quarter, Maryland quarterback Kasim Hill connected with D.J. Turner for a 54-yard touchdown to give the Terrapins a 21-3 lead.
Minnesota responded with a touchdown drive just before halftime, capped off on a 17-yard pass from Zack Annexstad to true freshman receiver Rashad Bateman.
It was one of very few bright spots for the true freshman quarterback on the day. Annexstad threw an interception to open the third quarter that Maryland linebacker Tre Watson returned 36 yards for a touchdown, and he threw another pick in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.
Annexstad finished the day 14-of-32 for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Terrapins struck for two more touchdown runs, a 64-yard scamper by McFarland and a 21-yard score by Chigoziem Okonkow, to push the score to 42-13. Maryland rushed for 315 yards and averaged 8.5 yards per carry while limiting Minnesota to just 2.3 yards per rush.
Who needs oars when you have this motor@AnttMacc_ 🚤 pic.twitter.com/UxVunwZcNu
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 22, 2018
The Gophers are off next week before taking on the Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium on Oct. 6.
