No. 3 Michigan escapes Maryland with 31-24 victory

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th November, 16:10 2023

Nov 18, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Jaylen Harrell (32) sacks Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) during the first half at SECU Stadium. credits: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Corum rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns as No. 3 Michigan withstood Maryland's upset bid and recorded its 1,000th program victory with a 31-24 win in College Park, Md., on Saturday.

Derrick Moore had a fumble return for a touchdown and Mike Sainristil picked off two Taulia Tagovailoa passes for Michigan (11-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), which led by 20 points midway through the first half. J.J. McCarthy passed for 141 yards and was intercepted once.

Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh served the second game of his three-game conference suspension related to a signal-stealing scandal. The victory set up a showdown with No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 25.

Billy Edwards Jr. scored all three of Maryland's touchdowns on 1-yard runs. Tagovailoa passed for 247 yards for the Terrapins (6-5, 3-5).

The Wolverines led 23-10 at halftime.

Corum scored on a 2-yard run after Maryland took a 3-0 lead.

The Wolverines defense produced their next touchdown. Michael Barrett sacked Tagovailoa, who coughed up the ball. Moore scooped it up at the 4-yard line and scored.

The Wolverines' special teams delivered their next points. Christian Boivin blocked a Colton Spangler punt attempt. Spangler then booted the ball through the back of the end zone to prevent a Michigan recovery, resulting in a safety and a 16-3 Wolverines lead.

A pass interference call against the Terrapins on fourth down extended the Wolverines' subsequent drive, which ended with Corum's 1-yard scoring run.

Edwards scored on 4th-and-goal with 1:59 left in the half.

Edwards scored on another fourth-down, 1-yard sneak to make it 23-17 with 10:23 left in the third quarter.

Tagovailoa was intercepted by Sainristil on Maryland's next possession. The Wolverines capitalized, scoring on Semaj Morgan's 13-yard end around. A two-point conversion try failed, leaving them with a 12-point advantage.

Maryland answered with an 84-yard drive, finished off by another Edwards plunge.

Sainristil's second interception came with 5:32 left at the Terrapins' 39-yard line. The Wolverines were unable to pick up a first down and punted, which was downed at the 1. Tagovailoa was called for intentional grounding on the next play, giving Michigan a seven-point lead and the ball on the safety.

—Field Level Media