With Maryland preparing for Wisconsin this weekend, a pair of veterans made the cuts for postseason awards on Tuesday.
Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was one of 40 quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien class of 2022, it was announced on Tuesday. Taulia, who returns as the starting quarterback this weekend vs. Wisconsin, has padded to his storied Maryland career so far this season with already three 300-yard passing performances.
Tagovailoa currently stands fourth in the nation with a 72.5 completion percentage, and also ranks in the top-25 in completions per game (24.4) and passing yards per game (285.9). His 69.1 career completion percentage is currently fourth among all active FBS quarterbacks, and he also stands top-20 among all FBS quarterbacks in career passing yards per game (240.4), completions per game (20.1) and passing efficiency (151.4).
The redshirt junior has skyrocketed up the Maryland record books, now standing second all-time in Maryland history in completions (574), passing yards (6,872) and touchdowns (46). Tagovailoa only stands 77 completions, 430 yards and four touchdowns from setting the program passing records in those categories. With a 300-yard game against Purdue (315 yards), Tagovailoa now stands alone at the top of the all-time 300-yard game ranks in Terrapin history with 11. He also is first all-time in career completion percentage (69.2) and passing efficiency (151.4).
With bowl eligibility secured, the extra week of rest during last week’s bye helped ensure that Taulia would only miss one game so far this season as the Terps offense gets back on track. Taulia reaggrevated a sprained MCL in the 38-33 road win against Indiana two weeks ago, giving Maryland fans their first big scare of this season. “I was just waiting for the MRI, stuff like that. Yeah, I was nervous. I was hoping it wasn’t something more serious but thank God it isn’t,” Taulia said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, defensive lineman Greg China-Rose was recognized as one of 81 players named to the Burlsworth Trophy Nominee, an award given to the most outstanding football player in America who began his career as a walk-on and has shown outstanding performance on the field. A former DeMatha lineman alongside Chase Young, Tino Ellis, DJ Turner and Terrance Davis, China-Rose joined the program from Lackawanna as a walk-on back in 2020 before drawing a scholarship during fall camp last year. China-Rose returned for another season in College Park, lining up both as a JACK and defensive end thus far. He has started in all seven games he has played in this season for the Terps, totaling 16 tackles (12 solo) and two sacks. China-Rose has sacks this season in wins over SMU (9/17) and Indiana (10/15). Over the past two seasons, China-Rose has the most combined sacks of any Terp with seven. Related Links
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