COLLEGE PARK – In the first spring game under Head Coach Mike Locksley, the University of Maryland football team showed its scoring capabilities, with both sides accounting for 780 yards of total offense, as the Red Team won 28-17 on April 27.
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Red-shirt freshman Tyler DeSue shined as the starter for the Red Team, throwing 23-35 for 218 yards and two touchdowns. His spring game performance was a culmination of the extra practice he has been receiving under the new coaching regime, the Virginia Beach native said.
“More reps equals better play, and I want that,” said DeSue, who was awarded the Boomer Esiason spring game MVP Award. “Everything worked out well for me this spring, and I hope I continue to get more reps this summer and fall camp.”
Running back Anthony McFarland Jr. punched through the defensive line to rush for a 34-yard touchdown for the Red Team. When the former DeMatha Catholic High School star was not running with the ball, teammate Javon Leake would continue their rushing success, scoring his own 3-yard touchdown run afterward.
White Team quarterback Max Bortenschlager tossed a three-yard pass to tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo for a touchdown late in the second quarter. The redshirt junior threw for 342 passing yards and two touchdowns. As Bortenschlager looked to tie the game, linebacker Wyatt Cook intercepted his pass before halftime.
Following a White Team field goal in the third quarter, DeSue threw a 23-yard blistering pass tight end Robert Schwob for the Red Team’s third score.
Bortenschlager responded with a 16-yard pass to sophomore Okonkwo to reduce the White Team’s deficit to four points.
However, the Red Team, which included 11 players from Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, could not be stopped. Glenarden native DJ Turner caught a 34-yard pass play, setting up tight end Michael Cornwell’s seven-yard touchdown catch for the Red Team.
The White Team’s attempts to fight back were nullified by 18 tackles, six by each player, by Raymond Boone, Fofie Bazzie and Fa’Najae Gotay. Despite their play, Locksley said he hopes to balance out the team with stronger depth on defense with the new freshman class coming to College Park this summer.
Maryland starts the 2019 season on August 31 at home against Howard.