Maryland football dominates Villanova 38-20 as Tai Felton continues to make history

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

In what’s become a weekly tradition, Billy Edwards Jr. connected with Tai Felton for a 9-yard touchdown in the final minutes of the third quarter. Felton reached over the shoulders of his defender and grabbed the ball before falling into the corner of the endzone.

The reception marked Felton’s 39th of the season, breaking the Maryland record for most receptions in the first four games of a season, breaking Frank Wycheck’s 38 receptions in 1991.

On Felton’s record-breaking day, Maryland football (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) earned its second straight win, defeating Villanova 38-20 at SECU Stadium on Saturday.

The offense got Felton involved early on short passes and he finished the quarter with eight catches for 57 yards. The eight catches marked the most in a first quarter by a Big Ten player since 2012.

Felton entered the game ranking third in Division I in receiving yards with 447 and became the first player in school history with 100 or more receiving yards in each of the first three games of a season. He continued that streak, finishing the afternoon with 14 catches for 157 yards.

“I think the reason we’re playing well offensively right now is just trying to stay on schedule,” Edwards said, “Whether it’s to go run the ball… or they want to play heavy in the box and give us opportunities to pass the ball. We just got to stay on schedule.”

The Terps dominated Villanova (3-1, 1-0 CAA) – the No. 5 FCS ranked team – from the opening kick, scoring on their opening drive headlined by Roman Hemby. The running back accounted for 40 of Maryland’s 75 yards before Edwards connected with Kaden Prather for an 18-yard touchdown.

“We took the ball on offense, knowing and studying how they wanted to shrink the game. Then, defensively to go three and out and getting another score was huge,” Mike Locksley said. “For a team like Villanova, a veteran FCS team coming in, you strangle the life out of them early.”

On the next drive, Hemby found the endzone on a six-yard rush.

Meanwhile, the Maryland defense completely shut down the Villanova offense. In the first quarter, Villanova gained just nine yards – all rushing.

The defense continued to stifle in the second quarter. Dillan Fontus blocked a 33-yard field goal to kill the momentum of Villanova’s 59-yard drive and keep the Wildcats scoreless.

The Terps limited quarterback Connor Watkins and his dual-threat ability. The senior had 106 yards passing and just 12 on the ground on as many attempts. He completed 41% of his passes with an 83.5 quarterback rating.

A Nolan Ray rushing touchdown and Jack Howes field goal gave the Terps a 24-point lead heading into halftime.

The Wildcats got on the board midway through the third quarter following an Edwards interception. Tommy Akingbesote sacked Watkins on third and goal to hold Villanova to a field goal.

The offense found the endzone in its next possession when Watkins connected with Devin Smith for 17 yards.

Maryland regained momentum with the Edwards to Felton touchdown. Despite his interception, Edwards played a clean game, completing 87.5% of passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. His completion percentage broke Taulia Tagovailoa’s single-game school record.

“Billy was really efficient. Billy’s playing clean, clean football for us, and Tai continues to be Tai and make plays that he’s capable of,” Locksley said.

A fourth-quarter touchdown run by MJ Morris sealed the Maryland win. The Terps will look to extend their win streak to three next Saturday on the road against Indiana.