The unthinkable nearly happened on Saturday, as the five-win Maryland Terrapins came oh, so close to stunning No. 10 Ohio State. In the end, however, the Buckeyes escaped with a one-point overtime win.
Running back Anthony McFarland was absolutely unstoppable. He racked up 155 yards and two touchdowns in the first six minutes of the game, setting the tone for what was nearly an upset of mammoth proportions. He ended up with 298 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw a ghastly pick-six, and he suffered through the agony of the old butt fumble.
Urban Meyer had multiple meltdowns in the sideline, at one point angrily throwing his headset after his team failed to convert a fourth down.
It was a back-and-forth affair that saw the Terps score a touchdown off a fumble at the goal line with under two minutes remaining in regulation.
MARYLAND LOOKING TO STUN OHIO STATE WITH THE FUMBLE TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/Low8OqHAKq
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 17, 2018
Ohio State marched right down the field in the final moments, thanks to a clutch kickoff return and some big-time plays by Haskins. Then, he tied it up with a perfect throw to Binjimen Victor.
TOUCHDOWN OHIO STATE pic.twitter.com/jKwf4bg9My
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) November 17, 2018
With 40 seconds remaining, Maryland nearly got into field goal range with a huge play in the passing game. But Ohio State’s defense stiffened up, forcing a sack and ending the Terps’ run to win in regulation.
Overtime beckoned.
End of regulation Ohio State 45 Maryland 45 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/QZMnJAPwPk
— Not Ohio State CABS 🚌 (@NotOhioStCABS) November 17, 2018
Haskins once again came up huge, rushing in a five-yard score — his sixth total touchdown of the game and third on the ground.
Maryland had one more chance to score again and keep the upset bid alive. That’s when McFarland did this.
Anthony McFarland is slicing up the Ohio State Defense today, he was down at the 1 yard line. Matt Canada will go for 2 if they get it. pic.twitter.com/8xZS5B3BQH
— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) November 17, 2018
His knee barely grazed the ground right before he got in, necessitating another try to get into the end zone. Fleet Davis punched it in on the next play.
Matt Canada wasn’t interested in extending the overtime period any further and went for two to finish off the Buckeyes, or die trying. With a man wide open in the end zone, Maryland quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome missed his receiver by a wide margin, handing the Buckeyes the win.
He *had* him. Brutal.
(via @CBSSports) pic.twitter.com/YSXbnYubCz
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) November 17, 2018
Twitter exploded with reactions.
OH MY GOD MARYLAND, NOT LIKE THAT
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) November 17, 2018
Ohio State wins pic.twitter.com/I6gUWnUUFt
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 17, 2018
UCF deserves to be ranked higher than Ohio State
Change My Mind
— Eric Rosenthal (@ericsports) November 17, 2018
Massive amounts of credit to Maryland. Those kids fought their asses off. And they’ve been through a lot that was no fault of their own.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 17, 2018
It's been a long time since I felt this way watching #Terps football.. I can hardly breathe.. My body has been tense for 3 hours.. My brain is fried.. I so wanted them to earn that bowl bid today.. Damn
— Rob Carlin (@RobCarlinTBD) November 17, 2018
That's awful man. I don't even hate Ohio State or anything, but that game shouldn't end like that. What a terrible throw
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) November 17, 2018
Great performance from Maryland though. Just a shame that Matt Canada just came so close to clinching a job for next year and now the school's future is completely up in the air. Based on one play.
— Rob Goldberg (@TheRobGoldberg) November 17, 2018
For a change of pace, here's a turtle that won't disappoint you pic.twitter.com/J0T1iGOY5o
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 17, 2018