Maryland escapes UCF with double-overtime victory

Maryland freshman quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome replaced starter Perry Hills and on his only play of the game raced 24 yards for the game-winning score in a 30-24 double-overtime win for the Terrapins over UCF on Saturday night.

   UCF freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton, making his first career start, committed his sixth fumble of the night and fourth turnover to begin the second overtime, setting the stage for Pigrome's heroics.

   The Knights tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a 42-yard field goal by Matthew Wright with 12:04 remaining. Neither offense was able to score again in regulation.

   Milton started in place of UCF senior Justin Holman, who was injured last week at Michigan.

   After struggling early in the first half, Hills and the Maryland offense settled down and began to capitalize on big plays. Hills 51-yard completion to receiver Teldrick Morgan helped set up Adam Greene's 33-yard field as time expired in the second quarter to give the Terps a 10-7 edge at halftime.

   The Knights held a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when Milton found running back Dontravious Wilson for a four-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. But Milton became erratic in the second quarter, committing two of his three first-half turnovers that allowed Maryland to get back into the game.

   THE TAKEAWAY

   Maryland: The Terrapins may not be as explosive offensively as they looked in their first two games. They had scored 93 points to start the season, but facing tougher and faster defense than they had against Howard and Florida International proved to be problematic. Hills was pressured and hit often, and was sacked four times in the first half.

   UCF: Freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton was the surprise starter for the Knights and while he did some positive things he put his team in the hole with costly turnovers in the first half. He committed three turnovers in the first two quarters, two as a result of bad exchanges with the center.

   UP NEXT

   Maryland: The Terrapins are heading into a bye week before opening their Big Ten schedule at home against Purdue.

   UCF: The Knights hit the road next week to face Florida International in their last non-conference game. Then UCF will open up AAC play on Oct. 1 at East Carolina.

Associated Press