$Maryland Football\'s Top 10 Plays of 2014$

Maryland Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

By brookshooley

Maryland Football's Top 10 Plays of 2014

Maryland Terrapins Football — Maryland was one of two teams to debut in the Big Ten last season. The Terrapins went 4-4 in the conference with a 7-6 record overall, including a 45-21 loss to Stanford in the Foster Farms Bowl to close out the season. While the season left a lot to be desired, Maryland players still put up some impressive performances last season. This list has 10 of the most impressive ones.

10. Amba Etta-Tawo's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Rutgers

Amba Etta-Tawo Maryland terrapins

10. Amba Etta-Tawo's Long Touchdown Reception vs. Rutgers

Amba Etta-Tawo Maryland terrapins — The Terps were in for a shootout with Rutgers to close out the regular season. At the end of the first quarter, Maryland had a 7-3 lead. On the first play of the second quarter, receiver Amba Etta-Tawo reeled in a pass from quarterback C.J. Brown and took it 71 yards to extend the lead to 14-3. The Terps would build a 35-17 lead by the half, but would ultimately lose to Rutgers 41-38 on senior day in Byrd Stadium.

9. William Likely's Long Kick Return Touchdown vs. Stanford

William Likely maryland terrapins

9. William Likely's Long Kick Return Touchdown vs. Stanford

William Likely maryland terrapins — Stanford buried Maryland early in the Foster Farms Bowl, and had a comfortable 42-7 lead in the fourth quarter. With the game out of reach and time winding down, Maryland needed some pride. Cornerback William Likely delivered on the ensuing kickoff, returning it 100 yards, thus giving Maryland fans something to cheer about in an otherwise dismal bowl showing.

8. Stefon Diggs' Long Touchdown Reception vs. West Virginia

Stefon Diggs maryland terrapins

8. Stefon Diggs' Long Touchdown Reception vs. West Virginia

Stefon Diggs maryland terrapins — The rivalry game with West Virginia was arguably the most exciting one of Maryland’s 2014 season. After falling behind to the Mountaineers 28-6 in the second quarter, the Terps were due for some offense. That’s when C.J. Brown hit a wide open Stefon Diggs over the middle of the field for a beautiful 77-yard catch-and-run touchdown. This gave Maryland some much needed momentum going forward.

7. Stefon Diggs' Long Touchdown Reception vs. Iowa

Stefon Diggs maryland terrapins

7. Stefon Diggs' Long Touchdown Reception vs. Iowa

Stefon Diggs maryland terrapins — After Iowa took an early 14-0 lead in Byrd Stadium, but the Terps rallied to a 17-14 halftime lead. Late in the third quarter, Maryland quarterback Perry Hills flipped a screen pass out to Diggs who made a few defenders miss on a 53-yard jaunt to the end zone. This finished off a 24-0 Maryland scoring run.

6. C.J. Brown's Long Touchdown Run vs. West Virginia

CJ Brown maryland terrapins

6. C.J. Brown's Long Touchdown Run vs. West Virginia

CJ Brown maryland terrapins — Maryland scored again before the half to cut the deficit to 28-20, and were set to receive the ball to start the third quarter. The Terps made quick work of their first second-half possession as C.J. Brown kept the ball on a zone-read and raced down the sideline 75 yards for six. Maryland was only down one after trailing 28-6.

5. William Likely's Pick-Six vs. Iowa

William Likely maryland terrapins

5. William Likely's Pick-Six vs. Iowa

William Likely maryland terrapins — Iowa matched Diggs’ touchdown with a two-yard run by Mark Weisman to cut the deficit to three. Maryland’s defense answered the call. Early in the fourth quarter, Likely stepped in front of a Jake Rudock pass and returned it 45 yards to make it a two possession game once again. The Hawkeyes surged again late in the fourth, but it was not enough as the Terps defended Byrd Stadium with a 38-31 win.

4. William Likely's Punt Return Touchdown vs. West Virginia

William Likely maryland terrapins

4. William Likely's Punt Return Touchdown vs. West Virginia

William Likely maryland terrapins — West Virginia scored nine unanswered to take a 37-27 lead after Brown’s touchdown. Maryland added a Brad Craddock field goal to cut the lead to seven. With less than 10 minutes to play in regulation, the Mountaineers were forced to punt. They made the mistake of not kicking away from Likely who returned the punt 69 yards to tie the game. But it was not enough as West Virginia left College Park with a 40-37 victory.

3. Avery Thompson's Special Teams Touchdown vs. South Florida

randy edsall maryland terrapins

3. Avery Thompson's Special Teams Touchdown vs. South Florida

randy edsall maryland terrapins — Maryland traveled to Raymond James Stadium to take on South Florida in week two. The Bulls led 17-14 at the half, and it held up midway through the fourth quarter. Special teams changed the game when Maryland blocked a South Florida punt and linebacker Avery Thompson recovered it in the end zone to give the Terps a 21-17 lead and ultimately a 24-17 non-conference win.

2. Wes Brown's Touchdown Run vs. Michigan

Wes Brown maryland terrapins

2. Wes Brown's Touchdown Run vs. Michigan

Wes Brown maryland terrapins — In a slow-paced game, Maryland and Michigan traded three field goals each in the first half and went into the locker room tied at nine. Both teams added second-half touchdowns to remain tied. With just under six minutes left in regulation, Maryland running back Wes Brown plunged into the end zone from one yard out to give the Terps a 23-16 win in Ann Arbor.

1. Brad Craddock's Game-Winning Field Goal vs. Penn State

Brad Craddock maryland terrapins

1. Brad Craddock's Game-Winning Field Goal vs. Penn State

Brad Craddock maryland terrapins — Maryland’s refusal to shake hands before kickoff set the tone for the rivalry game with Penn State. The Terps scored 10-straight after trailing 16-7, but Penn State added a field goal to take a 19-17 lead. But with less than a minute left, Maryland kicker Brad Craddock belted a 43-yard field goal to give the Terps a 20-19 lead. Maryland’s defense sealed the game on the ensuing possession as Penn State turned the ball over on downs.

Brooks Hooley is a Junior Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @brookshooley.

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