SportsDirect Inc. staff
Aug 31, 2013
Maryland 43, Florida International 10: C.J. Brown accounted for five touchdowns and Brad Craddock nailed three field goals as the Terrapins topped the visiting Golden Panthers to kick off the 2013 season.
Brown returned to form after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the 2012 preseason, tossing three second-quarter touchdowns to a trio of receivers, highlighted by a 66-yard catch by Stefon Diggs. The quarterback completed 20-of-23 passes for 281 yards and racked up 105 rushing yards with a pair of TDs on 11 carries before he was relieved by Caleb Rowe late in the third quarter.
Florida International's young offense struggled in the first half amassing just 54 total yards, but capitalized on a pair of Maryland fumbles to put 10 points on the board. Running back Lamarq Caldwell scored Florida International's lone touchdown with a 1-yard run in the second quarter and rushed for 79 yards in the game.
Quarterback Jake Medlock was held to 5-of-15 passing for 26 yards by the Maryland defense before he was replaced by E.J. Hilliard in the third quarter. Dexter McDougle nabbed his fourth career interception, picking off Hilliard's first play from scrimmage.
Diggs collected 194 all-purpose yards on nine touches, including 98 yards receiving and 70 yards on three kickoff returns. The only points of the second half were put on the board by Craddock's 23-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
GAME NOTEBOOK: It was the first time Maryland scored 40 first-half points against a FBS team since 2010 when the Terrapins put up 45 against Morgan State. กญ Deon Long caught nine passes for 110 yards and a 25-yard TD in the second quarter. กญ Kenneth Goins, Jr.'s only catch of the contest was for a 17-yard TD.