Max Brosmer throws season-high 4 TD passes as Minnesota routs Maryland 48-23 to win third straight

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Max Brosmer led an impressive offensive performance with four touchdown passes, propelling Minnesota to a commanding 48-23 victory over Maryland on Saturday. The Gophers, riding a three-game winning streak, improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten. Daniel Jackson shone brightly with nine receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns, while Elijah Spencer contributed two more touchdown catches. This marked Minnesota’s highest point total in a conference game since their 52-10 victory over the Terrapins in 2019.

Maryland, now 4-4 and 1-4 in the conference, fell behind quickly. After stopping the Terrapins on a fourth-down attempt during their opening drive, Minnesota struck first with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brosmer to Jackson—marking the Gophers’ first opening drive touchdown of the season. Brosmer then connected with Spencer to extend the lead to 14-0. The lead swelled to 21-0 just moments later when a miscommunication on a pass play led to an interception by Justin Walley, who returned it 32 yards for a touchdown.

Minnesota’s defense has been formidable, allowing only five passing touchdowns all season and entering the game with 13 interceptions, ranking second in the nation behind James Madison. Koi Perich added to the tally with his third interception in two games, bringing his total to five, a record for a Minnesota freshman and just two shy of the program’s season record.

Despite averaging a league-leading 301.9 passing yards per game, Maryland managed 323 yards against Minnesota’s tough defense. Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. completed 19 of 35 passes for 201 yards, while MJ Morris was 7 of 8 for 122 yards in a game that had slipped away. Tai Felton, who leads the Big Ten with 73 receptions, caught nine passes for 104 yards.

Brosmer had an outstanding game, completing 26 of 33 passes for 320 yards without an interception or a sack. His four touchdown passes were the first for a Gophers quarterback since 2019. Minnesota led 34-10 at halftime, marking their highest first-half total in a conference game since scoring 35 against Iowa in 2014. Darius Taylor capped off the scoring for Minnesota with a 51-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

Looking ahead, Maryland will face top-ranked Oregon on November 9, while Minnesota will travel to take on No. 20 Illinois next Saturday.