Grading Maryland football’s position groups after its loss to No. 3 Michigan

Maryland football twice had an opportunity to take a late lead against No. 3 Michigan.

But it was ultimately unable to overcome a disastrous five-minute span in the second quarter, and the undefeated Wolverines escaped College Park with a 31-24 victory.

Here’s how every Maryland position group performed against Michigan.

Quarterback

Michigan had not allowed an opponent this season to score more than 15 points before Saturday’s game. It also had an average margin of victory of six touchdowns.

Taulia Tagovailoa, although coming up just short, delivered a valiant performance in his final home game. And you can’t fail to mention Billy Edwards Jr.’s three rushing scores.

However, Tagovailoa’s late interception and early fumble each came in a crucial spot.

His 241-yard performance captured what Tagovailoa’s entire Maryland career has shown: a lot of highs, with some crushing lows.

Grade: B

Running back

Maryland’s rushing game found a rhythm in the second half at Nebraska, but came crashing back down to earth against the Wolverines’ top-10 defense.

56 yards on 20 carries is a more efficient performance than most in recent weeks, but no running back managed an explosive play — or a run of more than seven yards, at that.

Grade: C-

Wide receiver

Not seeing a receiver fumble was a positive sight for the Terps, and the unit had a successful afternoon overall.

Kaden Prather once again made the highlight reel, hauling in a contested 34-yard catch. His 81 yards led all Terps, but Tai Felton saw the most action, with five catches for 41 yards on 10 targets.

Jeshaun Jones also tacked on 70 yards in his last game at SECU Stadium.

Grade: B

Tight end

Corey Dyches’ production has been up-and-down this season, and on Saturday, he was a reliable, yet fairly inefficient source. He caught all five of his targets for 26 yards. He also didn’t see an overwhelming number of snaps in blocking situations, per usual.

Grade: C+

Offensive line

What’s been known all season was once again made clear against Michigan. Maryland’s offensive line isn’t horrendous, but it is far from being able to compete against the best.

Protection held up alright, but when it didn’t, the results were costly. The unit gave up four sacks for a loss of 49 yards.

Grade: C-

Defensive line

Michigan’s offensive line has won the Joe Moore Award — given to the best unit in the nation — in each of the past two years, and the Wolverines had success at the line of scrimmage.

Blake Corum ran to the tune of 94 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries and Donovan Edwards tacked on 39 yards. Both players’ performances were still less efficient than their season averages, though.

And when the Terps needed stops in the fourth quarter to give the offense a chance, Michigan’s running backs found themselves constantly stood up.

Grade: B+

Linebacker

One of the biggest plays of the game came late in the first half. Deep in Maryland territory with a chance to go up 20, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw the ball into the hands of Jaishawn Barham. Not only did the pick keep the deficit at two scores, but it was Barham’s first career interception.

That play gave Maryland’s defense a bolt of energy, as Michigan’s offense scored just once after that.

Barham and Ruben Hyppolite II were dominant all afternoon, clogging up the middle of the field and combining for 17 tackles — eight of those solo.

Grade: B+

Secondary

Lights-out is the only way to describe the secondary, albeit it should be noted that Michigan’s top target, Roman Wilson, exited the game early.

McCarthy struggled to find receivers thereafter, ending his day 12-of-23 passing for 141 yards.

Beau Brade and Ja’Quan Sheppard each finished with a pass breakup and tackle for loss, with no play more memorable than Sheppard’s thunderous second-half sack on McCarthy.

Grade: A

Special teams

We should’ve known it would be a wacky day after it took three tries for Jack Howes to send the opening kickoff deep.

Howes made his lone field goal attempt, a 35-yarder, and Brenden Segovia had a tough day with Colton Spangler still off punting duties.

Segovia’s first punt was blocked for a safety — an eventual nine-point swing — and his second went just 32 yards.

Grade: D

Coaching

Maryland put together a good game plan to pull off the unthinkable. It came out with an early score and had a chance to win in the end.

Unlike past weeks, no questionable play calls stood out, but a loss is still a loss.

Grade: B+