#17 Minnesota Has No Trouble with Maryland, Beating Terrapins 52-10
October 26, 2019

A pair of first-half interceptions with long runbacks set the tone for Minnesota’s 52-10 win over Maryland, upping the Gophers record to 8-0.

Antoine Winfield, who had returned an interception for a touchdown the previous week, picked off Tyrrell Pigrome on the second play from scrimmage and returned it 20 yards to the Maryland 20. It took only four plays for the Gophers to convert the turnover, Tanner Morgan lofting a pass to Rashod Bateman in the end zone.

An 84-yard drive on Minnesota’s next possession ended with Seth Green running a quarterback draw for a 10-yard touchdown, and early in the second quarter Tyler Johnson beat safety Deon Jones on a crossing pattern to take in a Morgan pass for a 14-yard touchdown.

Later in the quarter, Pigrome’s pass was off the hands of Dontay Demus and into the arms of Coney Durr, who had a clear field and plenty of blockers as he ran it back 72 yards for a touchdown.

Minnesota had lost to Maryland the last two years, but the teams look completely different this season. The turnaround after a personnel change midway through the 2018 season continues. After a 55-31 loss at Illinois, Joe Rossi took over as the Gophers defensive coordinator. Minnesota has won 11 of 12 since then.

The Gophers held a 28-3 lead and increased it with a touchdown and field goal in the third quarter and two touchdowns in the fourth.

Minnesota outgained Maryland 498 to 210 from scrimmage. The rushing game produced 321 yards, Rodney Smith leading with 103 yards and a touchdown. Tanner Morgan completed 12 of 21 passes for 138 yards.

The undefeated Gophers will be at home for a much anticipated game against Penn State, also 8-0, in two weeks.

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