The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
0-1
Maryland
1-0
Football falls in season opener to Maryland, 51-41
09.02.2017 | Football
The Longhorns scored three non-offensive touchdowns, but couldn't overcome a 20-point second-quarter deficit in the loss.
Texas vs. Maryland (presented by Southwest Airlines)
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AUSTIN, Texas – The University of Texas battled back from an early 20-point deficit, but fell to the Maryland Terrapins, 51-41, at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the first game of the Tom Herman Era.
Texas defensive back Holton Hill scored two touchdowns and Reggie Hemphill-Mapps added a punt return for touchdown to highlight a back-and-fourth battle.
Texas was able to get on the board fast, as Hill stepped under a tipped pass for the interception on the third play of the game, returning it 31 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
Maryland followed with 27 unanswered points, passing for three touchdowns and adding another score on a blocked field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown.
The Longhorns ended the Maryland scoring run in the second quarter when defensive lineman Poona Ford blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt. Hill picked up the ball at the Maryland 35-yard line and ran untouched for his second touchdown of the game, cutting the deficit to 27-14.
The Terrapins tacked on a field goal to build their lead to 30-14 at the half.
Texas fought back, scoring its first offensive touchdown of the season midway through the third quarter when quarterback Shane Buechele hit wide receiver Armanti Foreman on a cross for a 33-yard touchdown, closing the gap to 30-20.
Buechele overcame an interception on his first throw of the season to finish the day strong, completing 34-of-52 attempts, include 12 consecutive completions in the first half, and throwing for a career-high 375 yards, while also passing for two touchdowns and running for another.
After the Texas defense forced its second three-and-out of the half, Hemphill-Mapps received the punt at the UT 9-yard line, made two defenders miss and sprinted down the right sideline for his first Longhorn touchdown, bringing Texas to within a score of 30-27.
The Terps added a touchdown on their next possession, growing the lead to 37-27, but Texas responded, scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run by Buechele to shrink the Maryland lead back to 37-34. The 9-play, 66-yard drive was highlighted by a 21-yard run off a direct snap to wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey.
UM pushed the lead back to 17 with a pair of touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to give the Terrapins a 51-34 lead.
Texas closed out the scoring on a 32-yard touchdown pass from Buechele to Collin Johnson, who caught seven passes for 125 yards, to make it 51-41.
In all, 10 different receivers caught passes, including Hemphill-Mapps who caught seven passes for 69 yards.
Seventeen Horns recorded tackles, led by Malik Jefferson with nine and Hill with eight, and Charles Omenihu picked up the first sack of the season.
The Longhorns are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 9 with a home matchup against the San Jose State Spartans. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Longhorn Network.
Team Stats
UMD 0, UT 7
UT - Hill, Holton 31 yd interception (Rowland, Joshua kick)
UMD 7, UT 7
UMD - Pigrome, T. 25 yd run (Greene, A. kick), 5 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:58
UMD 14, UT 7
UMD - Moore, D. 20 yd pass from Pigrome, T. (Greene, A. kick) 3 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:01
UMD 21, UT 7
UMD - Brooks, A. 71 yd blocked field goal return (Greene, A. kick)
UMD 27, UT 7
UMD - Jacobs, T. 46 yd pass from Pigrome, T. (Bortenschlager passfailed) 4 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:45
UMD 27, UT 14
UT - Hill, Holton 65 yd blocked field goal return (Rowland, Joshua kick)
UMD 30, UT 14
UMD - Greene, A. 26 yd field goal 8 plays, 67 yards, TOP 2:53
UMD 30, UT 20
UT - Foreman, Armant 33 yd pass from Buechele, Shane (Buechele, Shane passfailed) 6 plays, 37 yards, TOP 1:28
UMD 30, UT 27
UT - Hemphill, Reggi 91 yd punt return (Rowland, Joshua kick)
UMD 37, UT 27
UMD - Johnson, T. 40 yd run (Greene, A. kick), 2 plays, 38 yards, TOP 0:41
UMD 37, UT 34
UT - Buechele, Shane 3 yd run (Rowland, Joshua kick), 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:59
UMD 44, UT 34
UMD - Hill, K. 3 yd run (Greene, A. kick), 7 plays, 52 yards, TOP 3:44
UMD 51, UT 34
UMD - Funk, J. 12 yd run (Greene, A. kick), 4 plays, 24 yards, TOP 1:31
UMD 51, UT 41
UT - Johnson, Collin 32 yd pass from Buechele, Shane (Rowland, Joshua kick) 6 plays, 78 yards, TOP 0:53
