No. 2 Ohio State holds off Terps 43-30, Michigan next

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Dallan Hayden scored three touchdowns in the second half of No. 2 Ohio State’s 43-30 win over Maryland to set up a monumental weekend undefeated matchup. next end between the Buckeyes and rival Michigan.

Just before kickoff Ohio State (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten, No. 2 CFP) and Maryland (6-5, 3-5), third-ranked Michigan edged out Illinois on a late basket. The Buckeyes then had a lot of problems against the Terrapins. Ohio State trailed 13-10 at halftime, and the Buckeyes trailed just 33-30 when they turned the ball over at Maryland 42 tries with 6:36 remaining in the game.

Ohio State forced a three-and-out, however, and Hayden helped the Buckeyes run out most of the remaining time. Noah Ruggles threw a 45-yard field goal with 42 seconds left, and Steele Chambers added a defensive touchdown with 9 seconds left.

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who fumbled on this play, stayed on the field for a while before coming off very slowly.

Hayden finished with 146 yards on 27 carries.

TreVeyon Henderson returned after missing Ohio State’s previous two games while injured. He caught an early 31-yard touchdown pass from CJ Stroud but only passed for 19 yards on 11 carries.

Tagovailoa completed his first 11 passes, and although the Terps settled for a few field goals in the red zone early on, they took a 13-10 lead on a 1-yard touchdown catch by CJ Dippre with 3 :52 to play in the half.

It was a far cry from the previous two Ohio State-Maryland encounters, which the Buckeyes had won 73-14 and 66-17 — though it wasn’t as painful for them as their 52-51 overtime win over the Terps in 2018. This game also took place the week before facing Michigan.

Down three in the third, the Buckeyes regained the lead after Lathan Ransom blocked a punt, giving Ohio State the ball to Maryland 14. An 8-yard touchdown by Hayden gave the Buckeyes a 17-yard advantage -13.

Hayden scored on a 3-yard run with 16 seconds left in the third to make it 27-13, but Maryland responded with Tagovailoa’s 5-yard run early in the fourth. A 2-point conversion reduced the lead to six.

Hayden scored again on a 13-yard run, but Jakorian Bennett returned an extra run blocked all the way for two runs, making it 33-23.

Tagovailoa threw a one-yard touchdown pass to Jeshaun Jones on fourth down after rushing to his right to continue play. That cut the lead to three with 9:49 to go.

TAKE AWAY

Ohio State: It was the second-most points allowed by the Buckeyes this season, surpassed only in their 44-31 win over Penn State, but Ohio State escaped on the road and showed they had enough depth to run regardless of Henderson’s health. is next weekend.

Maryland: The Terps’ improvement this year may not be reflected in their final record. They faced Michigan in a 34-27 loss in September and then also came within a score of Ohio State. It’s their two losses before this one — to Wisconsin and Penn State by a combined 53-10 — that will leave a sour taste.

NEXT

Ohio State: This is the game the Buckeyes and Wolverines have been waiting for — next Saturday at Ohio State.

Maryland: The Terrapins welcome Rutgers to end the regular season.

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Follow Noah Trister at https://twitter.com/noahtrister

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Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud (7) drives past Maryland linebacker Gereme Spraggins during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at College Park , Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day gestures during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at College Park, N.I. Maryland (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)