The history of matchups between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Maryland Terrapins on the football field is a rather short one.
This is largely due to the fact that the University of Maryland has only been a member of the Big 10 since 2014, compared to Iowa’s membership dating all the way back to 1899.
The two teams never faced off on the football field prior to the addition of Maryland to the conference.
Since then, the Iowa Hawkeyes have largely dominated the four contests against the Maryland Terrapins, holding a 3-1 series record through this point.
First Matchup: October 18, 2014, College Park, Maryland
With nearly 50,000 people in attendance for the 9:00 AM game in College Park, Maryland, home of the Maryland Terrapins, they would take a 1-0 series lead over the Iowa Hawkeyes with a 38-31 win, which would be their only win against the Hawkeyes to this point.
The Iowa Hawkeyes would come alive early in the game with two touchdowns in the first 10 minutes of the game, taking a 14-0 lead. Maryland would eventually get things going in the first quarter putting together a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 23-yard touchdown run by Jacquille Veii to put the Terrapins within a score of the Hawkeyes, with 3:40 remaining in the first quarter.
Momentum would stick with the Terrapins through the second quarter, leading up to halftime, as they would add a field goal and a touchdown. This would be quite a response to Iowa’s 14 unanswered points to start the game, as Maryland would put up 17 unanswered of their own to end the first half.
Following halftime, the Terrapins would continue their streak of unanswered points when Stefon Diggs, now a key member of the Buffalo Bills, caught a 53-yard touchdown pass to now make the score 24-14 in favor of Maryland.
The Hawkeyes would finally answer with a touchdown of their own in the final two minutes of the third quarter, bringing the team within three points of Maryland, at a score of 24-21 leading into the final quarter.
A Truly Even Contest
The fourth quarter would be full of action, but unfortunately for the Hawkeyes, it would play out as one big game of catchup, as Maryland came out with two touchdowns to bring their lead to 38-21.
This would not be all for the Hawkeyes, as they would push in the final three minutes with 10 more points of their own. However, it would end up being too little too late, as the Maryland Terrapins would win the first matchup of the series against the Iowa Hawkeyes with a score of 38-31.
Their first matchup would prove to be a truly even contest. Iowa created slightly more total offense than Maryland at 433 total yards, compared to the Terrapins’ 418. Maryland would lead ever so slightly in first downs, and time of possession, and would turn the ball over one less time than the Hawkeyes.
Following the first matchup between the Terrapins and Hawkeyes on the gridiron, it certainly seemed like this could turn into an exciting potential rivalry.
Second Matchup: October 31, 2015, Iowa City, Iowa
Following their 2014 matchup, the Maryland Terrapins would travel to Iowa City to face the number 10-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes for a Halloween matchup in front of over 62,000 fans. Through this point of the season, the Hawkeyes were a top 10 team in the nation and boasted an undefeated 7-0 record.
They were looking for revenge following the loss to the Terrapins the year before, who was currently sitting with a record of 2-5.
Iowa had no trouble putting points on the board, as they would score three rushing touchdowns from LeShun Daniels Jr., Akrum Wadley, and Derrick Mitchell Jr. in the first half of the game.
Things were looking very bright for the number 10 ranked Hawkeyes this time around, as they had a 21-0 lead through the first two-quarters of play.
After a very quiet third quarter, the Hawkeyes would maintain their 21-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
Terrapins Comeback Not Enough
The Terrapins would finally find the end zone with a touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter, cutting into the Iowa lead, now making the game 21-7.
Unfortunately for Maryland, the Hawkeyes would march down the field twice more kicking a field goal and then adding another touchdown, extending their lead to 24 points, making the score 31-7.
While the offense never got things going again, the Terrapins did show signs of life after a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown from William Likely, followed by a two-point conversion to make the score 31-15 Iowa. This, however, would be the game final score, as the Hawkeyes would even the series at one game to one.
Although this game seemed to be dominated by the Hawkeyes, the team stats were relatively close once again. This time, turnovers would be the true difference as Maryland turned the ball over four times compared to only one from Iowa.
Third Matchup: October 20, 2018, Iowa City, Iowa
Two full seasons would go by before the Iowa Hawkeyes and Maryland Terrapins would meet again. Again, this matchup would take place in October, in Iowa City, in front of a sold-out crowd of 69,250.
Once again, the Terrapins would be hitting the road to take on a ranked Iowa team, ranked number 19 in the nation with a 5-1 record.
The first quarter would prove to be a very quiet one as the first points of the game would come on a 23-yard field goal from Miguel Recinos with three seconds left in the quarter.
As the game moved into the second quarter, we did see a bit more action. With that said, it was all Iowa.
The Hawkeyes would add another field goal, this time a 25-yarder, and then silence nearly until halftime.
Finally, the game would see its first touchdown, as Brandon Smith would catch a 10-yard pass with eight seconds left in the first half, to put the Hawkeyes up 13-0.
Iowa Domination
Much like the first half, the third quarter saw nothing but points for the Hawkeyes. Iowa would add its third field goal of the day to go up 16-0, which would be the end of the day for the Iowa offense. The
Hawkeyes would find the end zone once more, this time coming on a fumble recovery in the end zone by the defense, putting Iowa up 23-0, which would prove to be the final score of the game.
Unlike the first two matchups, this game was all Iowa, as Maryland failed to crack the scoreboard.
Hawkeyes’ shutout of the Terrapins would be the first shutout between the two teams. Again, unlike the previous two matchups, Iowa dominated all aspects of the game. They held the ball for 40:55 compared to Maryland’s 19:05.
The Hawkeyes had 310 yards of total offense and held the Terrapins to an abysmal 115 yards on the day. Capping off serious domination, the Hawkeyes had 22 first downs, while holding the Terrapins to only seven.
Fourth Matchup: October 1, 2021, College Park, Maryland
For the first time since 2014, the Hawkeyes would be the ones hitting the road, as they made the trip back to College Park, Maryland, to face the Terrapins for the fourth time. However, this was a familiar sight for both teams, as Iowa came into the contest a ranked opponent for Maryland.
Nonetheless, things were looking better for the Terrapins so far this season, as both teams were undefeated coming into the day.
With that said, Maryland was unranked and Iowa was the number 5 ranked team in the nation.
The first score of the day would come halfway through the first quarter, as the Hawkeyes would kick a 41-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead.
Maryland would waste no time finding the end zone, marching 69 yards down the field and scoring on a nine-yard touchdown pass thrown by Taulia Tagovailoa and caught by Chigoziem Okonkwo.
Second Quarter
The second quarter would be a bit more lopsided than the first. The Hawkeyes would put up 31 points in the second quarter following the Terrapin’s first-quarter touchdown. Spencer Petras would run for two touchdowns and throw for one to Arland Bruce IV.
Monte Pottebaum would rush from two yards out for a touchdown, and the half would be concluded by a 38-yard field goal from Caleb Shudak, to give the Hawkeyes a 34-7 lead at the half.
Third Quarter
Iowa would waste no time finding the end zone after halftime, taking only four plays, as Spencer Petras found Tyler Goodson for a 67-yard score in their first drive of the third quarter. The Hawkeyes would add another field goal before the Terrapins would score again, which would come on a seven-yard touchdown pass with 6:01 left in the third quarter.
These would be Maryland’s final points of the match, as they would bring the score to 44-14 in favor of the Hawkeyes.
Fourth Quarter
As the fourth quarter began, the Hawkeyes would add their final score of the day, as Tyrone Tracy Jr. caught a seven-yard touchdown pass. This would be the final score, as Iowa cruised past Maryland, winning 51-14.
While the two teams had to wait multiple years to play yet again, this game ended similarly to the last, with absolute domination by the Hawkeyes. While Iowa beat Maryland in time of possession, total yards, and first downs, it was the turnovers that stood out yet again.
The Hawkeyes had seven takeaways in this game, while the Terrapins did not have a single one. Turnovers have been a very serious trend in Iowa’s success over Maryland through their first four meetings.
Final Thoughts
Since Maryland’s addition to the Big 10, in 2014, the Iowa Hawkeyes have had their number.
While the Terrapins did win their first matchup in 2014, the Hawkeyes have one each of the three that would follow.
With a total score of 136-67 in favor of Iowa, including the shutout in 2018, the Iowa Hawkeyes historically have handled the Maryland Terrapins in the month of October.
