Maryland’s Anthony McFarland gets off to huge start vs. Ohio State
By Tyler Brooke
Despite being huge underdogs on Saturday, Maryland got off to an early lead against Ohio State thanks to some huge plays from Anthony McFarland.
The Ohio State Buckeyes came into Saturday’s game against the Maryland Terrapins as more than two-touchdown favorites. Maryland redshirt freshman running back Anthony McFarland had other ideas.
McFarland came into Saturday’s game looking like a very promising part of the future of the Maryland football program. On 104 carries this season, McFarland had run the ball for for 724 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive seven yards per carry.
Early on, McFarland made sure to keep those impressive numbers up.
In the first minute of the game, McFarland was able to find an opening and take off for an amazing 81-yard touchdown to give the Terrapins an early 7-0 lead. A lack of gap discipline from the Buckeyes defense gave McFarland an opportunity to bounce outside, and you can see how that worked out.
https://twitter.com/BigTenNetwork/status/1063842585469276160/video/1
Just a few minutes later, McFarland got the ball again and took off. After breaking a tackle, McFarland scampered and showed his explosiveness with another huge touchdown, going 75 yards and putting Maryland up 14-3.
Anthony McFarland stat line: 3 runs, 155 yards, 2 TDs.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 17, 2018
In the first 6 minutes of the game. @TerpsFootball up 14-3. pic.twitter.com/X33d2ZM9Kk
In his first three carries of the game, McFarland had already put up 155 yards and two touchdowns, doubling his rushing TD total in just a single game.
This was a game the Buckeyes really needed to get off to a hot start early. With a win on Saturday and a win against the Michigan Wolverines next weekend, the Buckeyes could clinch a berth to the Big Ten Championship, and continue making an argument to belong in the College Football Playoff.
Unfortunately, sluggish starts have been an issue for the Buckeyes all season long, and a 17-3 deficit against Maryland after one quarter was exactly the opposite of what they were hoping for.
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As for Maryland, it’s been an emotional season for the players, but guys like McFarland show that the future is bright for this program. Whoever winds up being the head coach for the Terrapins next season will have a lot of talented players to work with, and this team is hoping that it can become a formidable program once again.