Maryland Terrapins vs. Virginia Cavaliers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Following back-to-back seasons with only three wins, coach Tony Elliott and the Cavaliers of Virginia are seeking a 3-0 start this Saturday night as they welcome old rival Maryland to Charlottesville, Va.

The Virginia squad (2-0) managed to overcome a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter during their Atlantic Coast Conference opener last Saturday against Wake Forest, ultimately securing a 31-30 victory. The Cavaliers took their first lead with just over two minutes remaining thanks to their own version of the "tush push."

Meanwhile, the Terrapins (1-1) experienced a similar fate in their Big Ten opener against Michigan State, as they surrendered the final 10 points of the game and ultimately fell 27-24 in College Park, Md.

Maryland, who was a member of the ACC from 1953 to 2013, has emerged victorious in the last three matchups against Virginia, including a 42-14 win at home last September. Although the Cavaliers jumped out to a 14-0 lead, the Terrapins took control of the game and never looked back.

In their game against Wake Forest, Virginia found themselves trailing 17-3 early on and 30-17 entering the fourth quarter. However, a touchdown pass from Anthony Colandrea to Trell Harris with just over 10 minutes remaining sparked a comeback for the Cavaliers. They sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run from Grady Brosterhous, affectionately known as the "Grady Bunch" play.

Receiver Malachi Fields, who has recorded over 100 yards in both games this season, spoke highly of the team's performance, stating, "It's a huge win for us, a huge team win. We're going to continue to grow together and become a team that can finish strong in the fourth quarter."

Unfortunately, Maryland was unable to replicate this same success in their game against Michigan State. Despite holding a 24-17 lead early in the fourth quarter, the Terrapins ultimately fell short as the Spartans scored a 77-yard touchdown and a game-winning field goal with just one second remaining.

Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. acknowledged the team's struggles, but remained optimistic about the rest of the season, saying, "The season is not lost, it's not a complete failure. We have a tough game coming up on the road against UVA and we need to correct our mistakes and be ready for the rest of the season. It'll be tough, but we can do it."

PREDICTION

Maryland Terrapins

Virginia Cavaliers

Maryland Terrapins vs. Virginia Cavaliers Recap SEP 14TH 2024

Billy Edwards Jr. accounted for three touchdowns and Tai Felton continued his hot start to the season in Maryland's 27-13 victory against mistake-prone Virginia on Saturday night in Charlottesville, Va.

It was the 14th consecutive non-conference win for the Terrapins (2-1), the second-longest streak in the country behind Georgia's 24-game run.

Edwards completed 28 of 43 passes for 263 yards and two scores and also rushed for a TD as Maryland dominated the second half, outscoring the Cavaliers (2-1) 20-0 after intermission.

Felton had nine catches for 117 yards and a touchdown. It was the third straight 100-yard game to start the season for Felton, who had 178 in the opener against UConn and 152 in the loss to Michigan State.

Anthony Colandrea was 21-of-37 passing for 247 yards and ran for a TD for the Cavaliers. He was responsible for three of their four turnovers with two interceptions and a fumble.

Virginia scored the only points of the first quarter on Will Bettridge's 19-yard field goal. His 29-yarder doubled the Cavaliers' lead to 6-0 midway through the second quarter.

After five punts and a missed field goal, the Terrapins took a brief 7-6 lead on Edwards' 19-yard touchdown strike to Felton with 54 seconds remaining in the half.

That was plenty of time for Virginia. After a 39-yard completion to Tyler Neville, Colandrea scrambled 10 yards for a score and a 13-7 lead with one second left before halftime.

The momentum swung back to Maryland with 10 unanswered points in the third quarter. Edwards' 26-yard TD pass to Kaden Prather and Jack Howes' 37-yard field goal put the Terps on top 17-13.

Howes' 33-yard field goal made it 20-13 for Maryland with 12:31 to play. Edwards' 1-yard run extended the lead to 27-13 with 7:10 left.

Dante Trader Jr. and Jalen Huskey tallied interceptions and Donnell Brown and Quashon Fuller recovered fumbles for the Terrapins.