Maryland beats Rutgers, bowl bound for 1st time since 2016

Updated Nov. 27, 2021 3:33 p.m. ET

Associated Press

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Maryland earned its first bowl berth since 2016 as record-setting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns and ran for another in a 40-16 victory over Rutgers on Saturday.

Halfback Tayon Fleet-Davis also had a big-day with a bowl-bid on the line, rushing for a career-best 152 yards and two touchdowns as the Terps (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten) rolled up 575 yards in total offense. Fleet-Davis scored on runs of 13 and 2 yards in the fourth quarter.

Tagovailoa had touchdown passes of 25 and 11 yards to Corey Dyches and 38 yards to Brian Cobbs in getting the Terps bowl eligible. He also tallied on a 10-yard run as Maryland opened a 20-2 halftime lead and never looked back.

Rutgers (5-7, 2-7) was seeking its first bowl berth since 2014.

Tagovailoa finished 21 of 30 for 312 yards. The yardage gave him 3,595 yards, breaking the Terps' single-season record of 3,499 set by Scott Milanovich in 1993.

After taking the final snap, Tagovailoa chest bumped with receiver Rakim Jarrett, who had seven catches for 111 yards. They then posed for a team photograph in front the goalposts.

The Scarlet Knights got second-half touchdown runs of 1 yard from Johnny Langan and 3 yards from Aaron Young.. Kessawn Abraham returned a blocked PAT attempt 85 yards for the other two points. Maryland's defense stopped Rutgers twice on downs inside its 3-yard line, once in each half.

THE TAKEAWAY

Maryland: After opening the the season with four straight wins, Maryland finally sealed its bowl berth. Tagovailoa was outstanding and he will be an attraction at any bowl game.

Rutgers: With everything on the line, Rutgers came up way short. They missed inside linebacker and leading tackler Olakunle Fatukasi (leg) and the offense showed little against a Maryland defense that gave up 130 points in its losing streak.

UP NEXT

Maryland: The Terps will wait until next Sunday to find out what bowl has selected them.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights open at Boston College next season, unless they somehow get a bowl berth with a losing record.

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