The burst of excitement, promise and expectation that engulfed the Maryland football program lasted less than a week. It could, of course, return as the season progresses, but Saturday's matchup against Temple became a four-hour deflation of the enthusiasm that surrounded the new era at Maryland under Coach Michael Locksley.
Maryland's offense had multiple opportunities to prove itself late in the fourth quarter, but twice failed on fourth down just shy of the end zone, handing the Owls a 20-17 win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Thanks to Temple's shanked punt from the end zone — one of a litany of special teams errors in the game — No. 21 Maryland (2-1) had a chance to embark on a game-winning drive from the 10-yard line with little more than three minutes remaining. But in the offense's most important moments of the day, quarterback Josh Jackson and Co. mustered an incompletion on an overthrown pass; a 3-yard run from Anthony McFarland; a false-start penalty; another overthrown ball. Finally, on fourth-and-goal from the 12, Jackson threw under pressure to DJ Turner, who grabbed the ball but with one of his feet clearly out of bounds. The Owls (2-0) let the clock run down with three rushes and then an intentional safety as time expired.
Maryland converted just five of 21 third downs and one of six fourth downs. Four possessions inside the Temple 20 ended without yielding a point. The Terps' only points of the first half were a gift — a safety courtesy of a bad snap when Temple attempted to punt from its own end zone.
Eastern Michigan 34, Illinois 31: Chad Ryland booted a 24-yard field goal as time expired to give the Eagles their third win over a Big Ten team, following victories against Rutgers in 2017 and Purdue in 2018.
Mike Glass was 23 of 36 for 316 yards and three touchdowns to lead visiting EMU (2-1).
"I love this team," Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said, smiling. "I mean, wow. What a great bunch of guys."
Brandon Peters was 22 of 37 for 297 yards passing and two TDs for Illinois (2-1). Reggie Corbin ran for 144 yards, and James McCourt kicked a 57-yard field goal.
