Rapid Reaction: Northwestern, fueled by terrific defense and special teams, takes down Maryland 37-10

This game was the perfect definition of complementary football.

After back-to-back losses for the first time in the David Braun era, Northwestern pulled off a gutsy win, defeating Maryland 37-10. Despite a double-digit spread against NU and the Terrapins controlling the ball with 85 plays, compared to 52 for NU, every facet of the Wildcats came together to secure a significant victory.

Jack Lausch finished with 203 yards on 10-18 passing. Bryce Kirtz had three catches for 123 yards and A.J. Henning brought in three balls for 61 yards. The offense played well, but it was the defense and special teams that truly shined, combining to force four turnovers, allowing the offense to capitalize and score 20 points off those giveaways.

For Maryland, Billy Edwards threw for 296 yards, and Kaden Prather caught eight passes for 81 yards. Tai Felton also secured nine receptions and 77 yards. The score was 17-10 a few seconds into the fourth, but NU pulled away with 20 points in the final frame.

Northwestern’s first possession got off to a shaky start with a three-and-out. Coco Azema fumbled the kickoff but the ‘Cats managed to recover it, and Jack Lausch struggled with several low throws. A near-blocked punt added to the tension, but the ‘Cats defense quickly responded, forcing a Maryland three-and-out, highlighted by Michael Kilbane’s second sack of the season.

NU’s second drive started with flurry of penalties by both sides; but the ‘Cats were able to settle down after a Cam Porter first down run. A play later, Lausch launched a deep ball, connecting with A.J. Henning all the way down at the Maryland 15. Following back-to-back carries for Porter, Lausch scrambled into the end zone, giving Northwestern a 7-0 lead.

Maryland’s next possession began with six runs on its first seven plays as the team methodically moved down the field. However, the drive came to an abrupt halt thanks to another Anto Saka pressure. After a solid punt pinned Northwestern at its own eight-yard line, Lausch quickly responded with a 28-yard pass to Bryce Kirtz. Later on the drive, Lausch used his legs once again, picking up 13 yards on third down, and the ‘Cats headed into the second quarter with a seven-point lead.

Three plays into the second frame, Lausch connected on another deep ball, this one to Bryce Kirtz. Caleb Komolafe followed with a seven-yard run, and Porter, with NU in the Wildcat formation, capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown.

The ‘Cats’ momentum continued on the kickoff when Greyson Metz forced a fumble and Damon Walters picked up the loose ball. Although Northwestern couldn’t pick up a first down after the turnover, Luke Akers stepped up in place of the injured Jack Olsen, converting a 43-yard field goal for a stunning 17-0 lead.

NU’s special teams once again pinned Maryland deep in their territory, thanks to a stellar tackle by Jake Arthurs. However, Edwards began to settle in, consistently finding Tai Felton and Kaden Prather down the field. The Terps’ first 12 plays of the drive featured 10 through the air, a stark difference from the team’s run-heavy offense in the first quarter. After a pass interference call on Braden Turner, Maryland needed four plays inside the two-yard line to score, with Edwards barely squeezing into the end zone on fourth down.

Northwestern was looking to take back the momentum following the 16-play, 90-yard Maryland drive. Joe Himon got drilled on back-to-back plays, one on the kickoff and the other after a missed block by Cooper Lovelace. Lausch found Henning on a slant route for a 13-yard gain, but Porter got strung out on the next play, losing five yards, and NU had to give the ball back.

The ‘Cats were able to stem the tide after a three-and-out by Maryland. Instead of running the ball, or taking three kneel-downs to run out the clock, Lausch threw an incompletion to Henning. The half could’ve been over, but the Terps were given another opportunity. Maryland wasn’t able to take advantage though, with their last drive ending in a wild 54-yard field goal miss. NU took a 17-7 lead into the locker room.

Northwestern slightly outgained Maryland in the first half in totality, 167 to 127, and through the air with 132 passing yards compared to 104 for the Terps. Lausch only had six completions, but two of them were 40-yard bombs, one to Henning and the other to Kirtz. Lausch was also the leading ball carrier for NU, but the ‘Cats hadn’t gotten on track on the ground, with just 20 carries for 35 yards.

Defensively, Saka continued his menacing ways with many pressures despite not recording a sack. The line was stout as well, with Maryland carrying the ball 16 times for only 23 yards. With the Terrapins receiving the ball to start the second half, Northwestern needed to continue its strong defensive performance to maintain control of the game.

To begin the second half, Maryland leaned into its short passing game, exploiting NU’s soft coverage. Yet four minutes into the frame, on a 4th-and-3, Theran Johnson made a terrific pass breakup to halt the drive.

Northwestern wasn’t able to take advantage despite a phenomenal throw by Lausch to Henning, one that was ultimately dropped. Akers continued his dual-threat duties and pinned the Terrapins at the one-yard-line.

The punt seemed to pay immediate dividends when Roman Hemby appeared to be stopped just inside the end zone. The officials, though, determined there wasn’t enough evidence to call it a safety, and Maryland caught a huge break. The Terps were able to move the ball down the field with another long drive, this one characterized by a heavy dose of runs. NU’s defense came up big near the goal line, demonstrating its “bend but don’t break” mentality, and Aidan Hubbard recorded a crucial sack that forced a fourth down. Heading into the final frame, the ‘Cats held a 10-point lead with Maryland lining up for a 31-yard field goal attempt.

Jack Howes knocked the field goal through, and the score was 17-10. Although the ‘Cats only had three plays in the third quarter, they kept the lead at seven points thanks to a series of clutch defensive stops.

After a touchback, a three-and-out followed, and NU handed the ball right back to Maryland. Akers, arguably Northwestern’s most valuable player in the game, boomed another punt for 58 yards, and Braeden Wisloski nearly cost the Terps by trying to return the bouncing ball.

Northwestern’s defense stepped up when it mattered most, as Carmine Bastone forced a fumble that Aidan Hubbard returned for a touchdown. The Wildcats extended their lead to 24-10, and the normally reliable Terps, ranked first in the nation with a +3.3 turnover margin per game, were playing with the football like it was a hot potato.

Maryland wouldn’t go away quietly; however, and Edwards quickly marched Maryland into the red zone with passes to Octavian Smith and Preston Howard. After consecutive incompletions, the Terps made a brave decision to go for it on fourth. Azema knocked down a desperation Edwards heave, and NU was in full command with 11:05 remaining.

To open the drive, Lausch feathered in another deep ball to Kirtz for 55 yards. NU wasn’t able to pick up another first down, but Akers nailed another field goal, this one from 38 yards.

Following a touchback, the defense stepped up once again with Mac Uihlein and Braden Turner forcing a fumble. Akers knocked through a three-pointer from 39, and NU took a decisive 30-10 lead.

The ‘Cats would not let up, and first year safety Damon Walters secured his first-career interception. Jake Arthurs got into the action and ran nine yards to the end zone, for his first touchdown since 2021. The team went up 37-10 after the score, and NU was feeling good.

Maryland’s last desperation drive ended in yet another failed fourth-down conversion, and Northwestern was able to kneel it out from there. After Maryland had cut it to 17-10, the Wildcats scored the final 20 points of the game. The fourth quarter was basically cruise control, and Northwestern earned its first Big Ten victory of the season.

The ‘Cats will be back in action Saturday on BTN at 11 a.m. CST, taking on Wisconsin in their final game of the season at Northwestern Medicine Field.