Michigan survives trip to Maryland, reaches the program’s 1,000th win

The Wolverines, again without head coach Jim Harbaugh, walked into College Park and were given all they could handle by the Maryland Terrapins. 

After going down 3-0, Michigan scored 16 points in the final six and a half minutes of the first quarter, including a fumble returned for a touchdown and a safety.

Halfway through the second quarter, the Wolverines pushed their lead to 20 points when running back Blake Corum scored his 20th touchdown of the season. 

Maryland would score their first touchdown two minutes before halftime to make the score 23-10 at the break.

The Terps then cut the lead to six on the opening drive of the second half.

After forcing a punt, Maryland had the opportunity to take the lead, but quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw an interception to defensive back Mike Sanristil. The ensuing drive resulted in a Michigan touchdown and a failed two-point conversion, leaving Maryland down 29-17. 

The Terps fought back, scoring to cut the lead back down to five.

Facing a 3rd and 18 at his own two-yard line, Tagovailoa threw a second interception, again to Sanristil.

The Terps’ defense responded, forcing a punt, but Tagovailoa again made a mistake and committed an intentional grounding penalty in the endzone, which resulted in a safety for the Wolverines.

Maryland would not get the ball back as Michigan ran out the clock to secure the 31-24 victory.

Louisville books ticket to ACC Championship

After a 7-5 regular season in 2022, The Louisville Cardinals are now 10-1 and will head to Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 2 to play Florida State (11-0, 8-0) in the conference championship. 

A high-paced first quarter left the Cardinals tied with the Miami Hurricanes 14-14. 

In the second quarter, Miami running back Brashard Smith took a handoff 34 yards for a Hurricane touchdown to cap off an 11-play, 82-yard scoring drive. 

The Cardinals scored with eight seconds left in the first half but had the extra point blocked, leaving the score 21-20 in favor of Miami.

The opening drive of the second half put the Cardinals back on top when kicker Nick Lopez made a 40-yard field goal to make the score 23-21.

Later in the third, the Canes took it 55 yards in three plays to reclaim the lead by a score of 28-23.

The Cardinals answered with an 11-play, 89-yard touchdown drive and a two-point conversion for the third lead change of the second half, making the score 31-28. 

Miami went 42 yards but had to settle for a game-tying 51-yard field goal by kicker Andres Borregales. 

Just over a minute later, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. took a pass from quarterbacm Jack Plummer and ran 58 yards down the sideline to give Louisville the 38-31 lead. 

The Canes were then turned away on fourth and goal but got the ball back with one more shot. The Hail Mary pass was deflected and caught, but wide receiver Xavier Restrepo was tackled five yards short of the end zone as Louisville got the road win.

Georgia dominates Tennessee on the road, finishing SEC regular season perfect for third straight year

Tennessee appeared to be ready to put the Bulldogs on upset alert after scoring on the first play of the game, but the Dawgs outscored the Vols 38-3 the rest of the way.

Georgia went down the field and got three points back on their first drive after running back Jaylen Warren scored a 75-yard touchdown run for Tennessee.

The Dawgs defense settled in and forced a three and out, then watched their offense take the lead on a 9-play, 65-yard touchdown drive.

Georgia scored two more touchdowns in the second quarter, taking a 17-point lead that would be cut to 14 by a Tennessee field goal in the final seconds of the half.

The Dawgs did not slow down in the third, scoring 14 more points and turning the game into a blowout.

The final score was 38-10, as the two-time defending national champions ended the Volunteers’ 14-game win streak at home. 

Washington escapes rainy night in Corvallis  

Washington is returning to the PAC-12 Championship for the first time since 2018. 

The first two drives featured 10-play touchdown drives by both teams, leaving the two knotted at a score of 7-7. 

After getting the ball back, Oregon State surrendered two points on a safety, putting them down 9-7. 

The two teams exchanged punts, then exchanged fumbles — the second of which set up Washington in the red zone. The Huskies capitalized, extending the lead to 16-7.

The Beavers responded with a field goal but would give up another touchdown before halftime. 

Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw an interception on the opening drive of the second half. Still, the Huskies could not capitalize as they missed a 39-yard field goal, leaving the score at 22-10.

Oregon State then went on a 16-play, 78-yard scoring drive that took up nearly ten minutes of game time. 

Down 22-17, the Beavers got the ball back and cashed in a field goal to cut the lead to two.

The defense again stuffed the potent pass attack, giving the ball back to the Beaver offense. 

The Beavers were set up with a 4th and 5 with just over two minutes but could not convert as the Huskies had the pass defended perfectly. 

Washington would convert on a 3rd and 3 to ice the game and clinch their spot in the conference championship.

Demetri Manousos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].