Michigan Crushes Maryland Behind Kuzdzal’s Breakout Performance, 45-20

College Park, MD — In a lopsided Big Ten clash that showcased the stark contrast between playoff contenders and cellar-dwellers, No. 18 Michigan roared to a 45-20 victory over Maryland on Saturday afternoon at SECU Stadium. Third-string running back Bryson Kuzdzal, stepping up amid a rash of injuries in the Wolverines’ backfield, erupted for 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. The back ended up powering Michigan to its highest scoring conference output of the season. The win improves Michigan to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in the Big Ten, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a potential berth in the expanded College Football Playoff.

For Maryland, the loss caps a dismal 4-7 campaign (1-7 Big Ten) marked by seven straight defeats and mounting questions about the program’s direction under head coach Mike Locksley. The Terrapins’ defense, already porous against the run, surrendered 228 rushing yards (the most allowed in a single game this season) while their offense managed just 71 yards on the ground, highlighting chronic issues in both trenches.

Michigan vs. Maryland 2025 College Football Recap

A Game of Momentum Swings and Defensive Dominance

The game kicked off with Maryland drawing first blood, capitalizing on an early Michigan miscue. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington connected with tight end Dorian Fleming on a 1-yard touchdown pass at the 10:28 mark of the first quarter, giving the home team a 7-0 lead. What followed was one of the more bizarre special teams plays of the season.

Maryland’s surprise onside kick attempt caromed perfectly into the hands of Wolverines cornerback Chase Taylor at the Terrapins’ 47-yard line. Seven plays later, freshman sensation Bryce Underwood lofted a 12-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Andrew Marsh, tying the game at 7-7 with 7:05 left in the quarter. The quarter would unequivocally belong to the visitors.

Bryson Kuzdzal, a walk-on from Forest Hills Eastern who had just 14 carries entering the game, plunged in from two yards out, putting Michigan ahead 14-7. Moments later, after Maryland’s offense stalled, the Wolverines’ defense forced a tipped pass that safety Mason Curtis snagged for a 14-yard interception. From there, Underwood orchestrated a clinic on third-and-9, threading a 22-yard dart to Donaven McCulley in the end zone for a 21-7 cushion. Maryland managed a 34-yard field goal from O’Haire just before halftime to trim the deficit to 21-10, but the damage was done.

The second half was a procession for Michigan. Kuzdzal bookended the third quarter with two touchdowns (19, 1), the latter a gritty third-down conversion that extended the lead to 35-13. Maryland answered with a 29-yard O’Haire boot, but true freshman Jasper Parker capped a balanced Wolverines drive with a 6-yard scamper in the fourth, pushing the score to 42-13. Kicker Dominic Zvada added a 46-yard field goal at 7:20, and backup quarterback Khristian Martin connected with Jalil Farooq for a touchdown in the final minutes, accounting for Maryland’s final points.

Michigan’s efficiency was staggering. They converted 12-of-14 third downs (including 8-of-9 in the first half), averaging 6.1 yards per play on 73 offensive snaps. They avoided turnovers entirely after coughing up five in a sloppy win over Northwestern the previous week. The ground game, depleted by injuries to Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, still churned out 228 yards on 50 carries (4.6 average), with Tomas O’Meara chipping in 71 yards on eight attempts.

Defensively, the Wolverines harassed Maryland with three sacks, including a crucial third-and-goal stop by linebacker Jaishawn Barham. Cornerback Zeke Berry’s pass breakup on a deep shot and Curtis’ interception were pivotal. It limited Maryland to 347 total yards despite having 276 through the air. The Terrapins went 5-of-14 on third downs and 2-0f-4 on fourth, underscoring their inability to sustain drives.

Spotlight Performers: Kuzdzal Emerges, Underwood Shines

Bryson Kuzdzal’s afternoon was the stuff of underdog legend. The 5-foot-5, 195-pound junior, who began his career as a special teams ace, bulldozed through Maryland’s front seven for his first 100-yard game and a hat trick of scores. His 19-yard burst in the third quarter (navigating a pileup at the line) exemplified Michigan’s physicality, a hallmark of the program under coach Sherrone Moore.

Bryce Underwood, meanwhile, validated the hype surrounding the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 class. His 9.3 yards per attempt and zero interceptions came on manageable downs, but the 22-yard strike to McCulley on third-and-long showed arm talent and decision-making. Marsh (five catches, 76 yards and a touchdown) and McCulley were his primary targets. Meanwhile, the tight end trio of Marlin Klein, Zack Marshall, and Max Bredeson combined for 74 yards. However, Bredeson limped off with a lower-leg injury in the second half, joining the Wolverines’ growing injury list.

For Maryland, Malik Washington (19-of-30, 210 yards, TD, INT) showed flashes of mobility (16 rushing yards) but was under constant duress, sacked three times. Wideouts Shaleak Knotts and Jalil Farooq provided bright spots in the passing game, but the run game sputtered behind DeJuan Williams’ 40 yards on 12 carries.

Defensively, linebacker Lavain Scruggs led with eight tackles. However, the unit’s 228 rushing yards allowed exposed schematic flaws against Michigan’s zone-read schemes.

Michigan’s Depth Tested, Maryland’s Woes Deepen

This victory was a testament to Michigan’s depth and adaptability. Without two starting running backs, the Wolverines leaned on committee work to overwhelm Maryland’s front. The passing attack, clicking for a second straight week, alleviated pressure on the ground game, with Bryce Underwood’s 13.4 yards per completion efficiency a welcome sight after early-season inconsistencies.

Third-down mastery (86-percent conversion) stemmed from short-yardage situations and play-action bootlegs that froze linebackers. Yet, concerns linger.

The injury bug tests a backfield already thin heading into “The Game” against Ohio State next Saturday. A fifth straight win over the Buckeyes would clinch a Big Ten title berth, but Michigan must navigate without key pieces. Offensively, the red-zone efficiency (6-of-8 scores) bodes well for playoff matchups, but two missed field goals (including a blocked 28-yarder) highlight kicking woes.

Maryland’s collapse, conversely, paints a grim picture. Their run defense, ranked 105th nationally entering the game (allowing 168 rushing yards per contest), crumbled against Michigan’s power schemes, yielding 4.6 yards per carry. Offensively, the Terrapins’ 2.8 yards per rush and three-and-out tendencies (seven punts or turnovers on 13 possessions) reflect poor line play and play-calling conservatism.

Locksley, now 18-25 in Big Ten play over four seasons, faces scrutiny. Back-to-back losing records and a -22 point differential in conference losses signal a need for offseason overhauls, particularly in recruiting the trenches.

As Michigan eyes the postseason, this rout reaffirms their contender status – a program that thrives on adversity.

For Maryland, it’s back to the drawing board, with bowl ineligibility a bitter pill in a talent-rich Big Ten. The Terrapins’ lone highlight? A resilient crowd that stayed till the end, hopeful for brighter days.