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Maryland, Texas swap kick-six touchdowns (Video)

ByNicholas Ian Allen|
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: A detailed view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet with a sticker remembering those affected by Hurricane Harvey before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: A detailed view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet with a sticker remembering those affected by Hurricane Harvey before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

The Maryland Terrapins and Texas Longhorns swapped blocked field goal touchdown returns in a big Week 1 matchup in Austin.

Three non-offensive touchdowns before halftime? Week 1 of the 2017 college football season is off to a crazy start.

The Tom Herman era of Texas football got off to a terrific start in the opening minute of the Longhorns’ Week 1 matchup with Maryland. Cornerback Holton Hill picked off a tipped Tyrrell Pigrome pass on the game’s opening drive and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. However, the Terrapins dominated the next 15 minutes of the game, and pushed their lead to 27-7 early in the second quarter after a huge special teams play and another quick score.

After a second three-and-out from the Texas defense, Maryland cornerback J.C. Jackson intercepted Shane Buechele on the Longhorns’ first offensive drive. The Terps capitalized on the good field position with a five-play scoring drive. Pigrome atoned for his early mistake with a 25-yard TD run to get the Terrapins on the board, tying the game at seven points apiece.

The Longhorns responded with an 11-play drive, but kicker Joshua Rowland couldn’t convert a 42-yard field goal attempt. On the ensuing drive, explosive Maryland running back Ty Johnson struck for a 50-yard touchdown run. Johnson, who scored six touchdowns as a sophomore in 2016, gained 1,004 yards on 110 carries last season. He picked up 65 yards on his first four carries of the 2017 season.

Maryland played bend-but-don’t-break defense again on the following drive, and forced another Texas field goal attempt. Rowland lined up for a 44-yard kick, but his low line drive was blocked. Antoine Brooks picked up the loose ball and returned it 71 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 21-7.

What was a dream start for Herman quickly devolved into a nightmare situation before halftime. The Terrapins scored again on their next offensive drive when Pigrome found Taivon Jacobs for a 46-yard TD pass.

However, Texas grabbed momentum back with it’s own kick-six field goal block for a touchdown.

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The first full Saturday of the 2017 college football season has barely begun, and we’re already in the midst of a wild back-and-forth battle of blocked field goal touchdown returns.

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