MARYLAND 40 (6-6, 3-6), RUTGERS 16 (5-7, 2-7)
SHI STADIUM • PISCATAWAY, N.J.
NOVEMBER 27, 2021 • ATTENDANCE: 42,729
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football (5-7, 2-7) lost to Maryland (6-6, 3-6), 40-16, on Saturday afternoon in Piscataway. The Scarlet Knights recognized 34 student-athletes as part of Senior Day in front of 42,729 fans at SHI Stadium before the game.
Tight end
Johnny Langan and running back
Aaron Young added rushing touchdowns, while defensive back
Kessawn Abraham scored a two-point conversion on a blocked extra point. On defense, safety
Avery Young produced a team-high 13 tackles and a sack.
Rutgers' special teams provided the first highlights of the game, as defensive lineman
Ifeanyi Maijeh broke through Maryland's offensive line and blocked an extra point, which was scooped up by Abraham. Abraham returned it 85 yards for a two-point conversion, making it 13-2 Maryland with 6:23 left in the first quarter.
The Scarlet Knights' offense would also provide some sparks in the second quarter, as Langan found wide receiver
Shameen Jones for a 31-yard reception with nine minutes to play in the half to get into UMD territory. However, Maryland would hold Rutgers out of the end zone during the drive.
The Terrapins would score one more touchdown and had an opportunity for another at the end of the half before RU's defense stepped up at the goal line. Maryland had the ball at Rutgers' one-yard line with just 1:15 left in the half before the Scarlet Knights held the visitor to zero points, as the Terrapins entered halftime with a 20-2 lead.
Rutgers scored on its opening possession, as it produced an eight-play, 70-yard drive capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Langan. Running back
Isaih Pacheco busted up the gut for a 23-yard rush on RU's opening drive of the second half, while quarterback
Evan Simon completed three passes to help the Scarlet Knights to their first touchdown of the afternoon. Pacheco rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries.
Maryland would add another touchdown on the ensuing possession, but Rutgers wasted no time in responding. Wide receiver
Bo Melton took a kickoff 53 yards to the UMD 37-yard line. Pacheco then rushed three times for 22 yards, while Young fished the drive with a three-yard sweep to the right side for the touchdown. The quick drive made it 26-16 Maryland with six minutes to go in the third quarter.
The Terrapins added to their lead with another touchdown early in the fourth quarter and secured the win with another score down the stretch.
- WR Bo Melton recorded a career-high 217 all-purpose yards.
- DB Avery Young recorded a career-high 13 tackles.
- Rutgers honored 34 student-athletes on Senior Day.
- 2020: TE Ryan Cassidy, PK Justin Davidovicz, OL Zach Miseo, LS Matthew Sportelli
- 2021: QB Austin Albericci, DB Tre Avery, DL Rashawn Battle, OL Brendan Bordner, DB Jameer Campbell, RB Parker Day, LB Olakunle Fatukasi, LB Tyshon Fogg, TE Jovani Haskins, DB Naijee Jones, WR Shameen Jones, DL Robin Jutwreten, OL Nick Krimin, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, WR Bo Melton, TE Brandon Myers, DL CJ Onyechi, RB Isaih Pacheco, LB Aslan Pugh, DB Keenan Reid, DB Patrice Rene, LS Brendan Shank, DB Calebe Silva, LB Drew Singleton, DB Lawrence Stevens, LS Billy Taylor, DL Julius Turner, DL Mike Tverdov, OL Sam Vretman, DB Avery Young
