College Park, MD, Saturday, October 27
It was Maryland’s day with the first touch of the ball when Javon Leake took a kick-off 97 yards to the house to recapture the lead in the opening minutes against Illinois. Leake, a highly sought after Sophomore from Greensboro, NC would for the day score a total of four touchdowns as the Terps out scored the Fighting Illini 63-33. This was the first ever meeting between Maryland and Illinois.
Maryland would produce an offensive display of 712 yards for the day mixing a combination of nearly 265 yards in the air by Kasim Hill and 431 yards on the ground. Maryland’s Interim Coach, Matt Canada, who is the Offensive Coordinator, called a nearly perfect game as the Terps got back to their scoring ways after being shut out last week against Iowa. Maryland, by the end of the 3rd quarter had held Illinois to 12 points as they led by a score of 42 to 12. Illinois was able to take advantage of the Terps subs who entered the game in the 4th quarter and the Fighting Illini put up 3 4th quarter touchdowns to narrow the final score.
Maryland continue their ball hawking ways snagging their 15th interception of the year in the 3rd quarter when Antwaine Richardson stepped in front of AJ Bush Jr pass. Maryland who was tied with LSU, nationally for collecting interception turnovers, moved ahead as LSU had a bye this week. The four touchdowns by Javon Leakes was the most a Maryland team produced since they accomplished this similar feat in 2010 at the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium when the beat East Carolina.
Next week Maryland (5-3 , 3-2) hosts Michigan State (5-3, 3-2), who beat a red hot Purdue team 23-13, will pose a challenge for the Terps, who need one more win to become bowl eligible.
Photos to follow
All photos copyrighted 2018 © Phil Fabrizio | Photoloaf®
