If last week showed flashes of brilliance, this week was the full masterpiece.
Northwestern walked into SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland a double-digit underdog and left with its first Big Ten Conference win of the year, 37-10, over the Terrapins.
“Really, really proud of our entire program,” said head coach David Braun after the game. “We need to find ways to build off of this game and this is an opportunity for our team to see who we can truly be when we put together all three phases together.”
The Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 B1G) struck first in the opening quarter when quarterback Jack Lausch carried the ball nine yards into the endzone with 8:03 left to put Northwestern up, 7-0. Northwestern never looked back as the Wildcats executed offensively, defensively and on special teams. Cam Porter carried the ball in for a 3-yard score in the second quarter followed by a 43-yard field goal from Luke Akers to give the Wildcats a 17-0 advantage with 10:50 left in the half.
Maryland (3-3, 0-3 B1G) closed the gap before the half when quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., ran into the endzone for a 1-yard score. The Terps received the ball in the second half, but didn’t score again until the start of the fourth quarter on a Jack Howes 31-yard field goal, making it 17-10 Northwestern.
The defense sparked a hot fourth quarter for the ‘Cats when Aidan Hubbard scooped up a Maryland fumble at the Terps’ two-yard line and carried it in for a score. Akers notched a pair of 38-yard field goals in the half, pushing the ‘Cats up, 30-10. Finally, Jake Arthurs scored on a 9-yard run for the final, 37-10, with 4:30 remaining.
Northwestern forced Maryland into making mistakes on special teams, including one punt return that set the Terps up on the goal line, as well as the Wildcats’ defense recovering two additional fumbles and Damon Walters pulling in an interception.
Lausch finished 10-of-18 for 203 yards while receiver Bryce Kirtz finished with three catches for 123 yards. Northwestern finished with just 80 yards on the ground for a total of 283 yards offensively. Maryland finished with 355 yards of total offense with 296 through the air.
Northwestern returns to the Lakefront one last time this season as the Wildcats host Wisconsin on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST. Maryland will face USC on Saturday at 3 p.m.
