The Terps were outrushed 268-98.
Maryland football suffered its fourth consecutive loss Saturday to Iowa, 29-13.
The Terps were picked apart from the get-go, and their disappointing season only got worse. They are now eliminated from bowl eligibility and will finish with a losing record for the first time since 2020.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Iowa controlled the pace of play
Maryland undoubtedly knew what Iowa’s plan of attack would be heading into Saturday’s contest: run, run and run some more. Still, the Terps were unable to stymie or slow the Hawkeyes, who controlled the flow of the game from start to finish.
It was tough sledding for Maryland throughout. While its first two offensive possessions combined lasted just 3:23, Iowa’s first three drives lasted 6:18, 6:20 and 7:26. Only the first of those drives didn’t result in points, and that was because running back Kamari Moulton fumbled near the red zone.
But the Hawkeyes’ ground game was as strong as it’s been all year long, headlined by star running back Kaleb Johnson. He was physically imposing and found holes all game long, finishing with 35 carries for 164 yards and a touchdown. But he had no runs eclipsing 13 yards. Instead, it was methodical runs coupled with smart and timely play-action passes executed by quarterback Jackson Stratton that gave Iowa an advantage.
“We want to get off the field, especially a third down or get a turnover, or do anything we can,” linebacker Donnell Brown said. “But [we] keep playing and keep fighting, and then knowing that, shoot, as we’re in there with our brothers, [we’re] good.”
The final time of possession stat was astounding: 37:41 for Iowa to counter the Terps’ 22:19.
Morris saw plenty of game action
Redshirt sophomore quarterback MJ Morris was inserted into the game in the second quarter after Billy Edwards Jr. was seen on the sideline with a wrap around his right forearm.
While Maryland’s first two drives with Edwards at the helm weren’t successful, neither were Morris’. But the 6-foot-1 field general had some flashes and was potent enough with his legs to create some off-script plays.
His first half accuracy left much to be desired, though. Despite a nice ball he attempted to thread into space for Dylan Wade, the pass fell incomplete. He also missed two sideline shots to wide receiver Kaden Prather, although the latter was heavily covered.
Morris had the opportunity to put together a two-minute drive at the end of the first half, but the offense moved just 20 yards up the field in one minute and time expired.
Edwards returned briefly at the onset of the second half before he went down after a hard hit and left the game again. Morris picked up right where Edwards left off, hitting Tai Felton in the corner of the end zone for the team’s first score.
“I already knew MJ [Morris] was a guy. He’s a gunslinger,” Felton said. “He’s a fighter. He’s very dedicated. He comes in, he works, he’s got a lot of swag to him.”
Morris’ second-half success was brief. He forged a drive downfield that resulted in another touchdown pass to Tai Felton to pull the Terps within six points. But things went downhill after that.
Needing a score after Iowa marched down the field and scored itself, Morris threw an interception on a contested ball that was intended for Kaden Prather. Then, he exacerbated his issues with another pick on the following drive, albeit under heavy pressure.
Morris finished with 103 yards on 12-of-23 passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The special teams disparity was large
While it wasn’t the reason Maryland lost, the Terps had a myriad of issues on special teams that certainly contributed to its demise.
Bryce McFerson was not his usual self Saturday. He had punts for 30 and 35 yards in the second quarter, giving Iowa solid field position from which to work with.
Beyond that, Maryland incurred a face mask penalty on a punt that gave the Hawkeyes 15 additional yards and pushed them into Terps territory. Later, an offside penalty on an Iowa punt almost gave the Hawkeyes a new set of downs.
The field goal disparity loomed large as well. While Maryland was only got on Iowa’s side of the field twice all game, Iowa made a living in the Terps’ backyard. Drew Stevens was nails all game long, hitting five field goals with lengths of 26, 27, 49, 50 and 54 yards.