Instant reactions: Maryland 31, Auburn 13

Maryland has secured its second consecutive eight-win season after controlling Auburn from start to finish in a 31-7 win in the Music City Bowl, marking the official end of the 2023 season. Instant reactions from Maryland's bowl win in Nashville: Historic first quarter puts Maryland ahead early While the betting line dropped from 6.5 to 4.5 points just ahead of kickoff, Maryland opened the game like they were the team always favored. The Terps were in complete control at the start with Billy Edwards Jr. taking the opening snap, marking his second consecutive bowl game as Maryland's starting quarterback. Edwards didn't disappoint as he led a five-play, 75-yard first drive into the endzone and Roman Hemby was the star early, accounting for 73 of the yards including a 61-yard catch and run on a screen. Edwards wouldn’t dial it down after connecting with Jeshaun Jones and Octavian Smith to drive the Terps outside the redzone on the ensuing possession, surviving a fumble by Smith after Gottlieb Ayedze jumped on the loose ball, before consecutive Edwards runs secured his second rushing touchdown of the day. Then came Cam Edge’s time, where he entered the game on the third series of the game and made an immediate splash after connecting with Kaden Prather for a 57-yard throw. One play later, Edge connected with freshman TE Dylan Wade for Maryland’s third touchdown of the day and Edge’s first career TD. For a team that entered Saturday with uncertainty as to what the two backup quarterbacks could offer, Maryland's offense seemed to have little to no issue moving the ball regardless of who was under center. The three touchdowns marked the most points ever by Maryland in the first quarter of a bowl game as the Terps outgained Auburn, 226 to 42, through the first 15 minutes. Maryland rode the hot start through the first half, finishing with just two plays that generated negative yards through the first half, but the first real negative play for the offense came midway through the second quarter when Cam Edge was sacked on 3rd-and-6 in Auburn territory, taking away a potential scoring opportunity as Colton Spangler took the field for his first punt since October. Auburn capitalized on the chance to slow Maryland's momentum heading into the second quarter, taking a 14-play drive that ended in the Tigers’ first points of the day after Payton Thorne found his wideout in the endzone. The score gave the Auburn faithful its first concrete development to cheer for, but there was enough time for the Terps to counter before the break. With Billy Edwards back onto the field for the game’s final drive, Jeshaun Jones came down with a tipped ball for a 26-yard gain, setting the Terps up in Auburn territory. Maryland would convert on its first fourth down attempt of the day before setting Jack Howes up with his first attempt of the day, drilling a 48-yard field goal to end the half. Maryland's first quarter offensive success would be enough for the Terps to remain comfortably ahead throughout, despite 71 yards over the final three quarters. Billy Edwards finished the day just 6-of-20, missing on his final ten pass attempts, but Cam Edge was able to flash his live arm on his four pass attempts. Yet it was Edge who generated Maryland's lone giveaway on the day, a deep ball that was easily intercepted after Shaleak Knotts was tripped up on his route. Maryland's defense stifles Auburn's offense Four punts, an interception and fumble recovery would sum up the day for Maryland's defense as Auburn would struggle to generate any consistency on offense. Maryland held Payton Thorne under a 50% completion percentage and 100 yards passing in the win, while Jarquez Hunter's lost run of the day was just eight yards. The lone tangible negative takeaway on the day was the five defensive penalties that resulted in automatic Auburn first downs, but Maryland's three sacks and four TFLs were enough to dominate Auburn's offense for just about 60 minutes. The key to the game was limiting Auburn's rushing attack, and they did exactly that after holding Auburn to under 100 rushing yards for the first time all season. Perry Fisher was able to step up through the day, despite drawing a defensive pass interference that extended Auburn's drive on their first score of the game. The redshirt freshman was still able to step up on critical plays to fill the void at the position, generating a few pass deflections before scooping up a special teams fumble that Rex Fleming generated. Bowl win marks a milestone for the program The bowl win serves as a marquee win for the program. After today’s win over Auburn, Maryland has now secured its second consecutive bowl win over an SEC program, but that’s not why it’s so important. Maryland’s bowl win now secures the eighth win of the season, marking the first time that Maryland has done so in consecutive years for the first time since 2002-03. After wins in the Pinstripe, Duke’s Mayo and now Music City Bowl, Maryland has also won three consecutive bowl games in as many seasons for the first time ever. Now, head coach Mike Locksley will be tasked with finalizing a handful of key questions heading into the 2024 season. After Edwards and Edge were able to showcase themselves while MJ Morris took practice reps this week, Maryland will now look ahead to the open quarterback competition beginning in spring ball. In the trenches, Maryland will now have to identify a new starting five while the secondary will welcome multiple new starters with Glen Miller and Dante Trader Jr. anchoring the backline. But after consecutive eight-win seasons, Locksley & Co. have more achievements they can point to as they look to secure their signature win in the new-look Big Ten coming next fall.