Maryland scored its third touchdown of Saturday’s college football game against Indiana on a 75-yard run up the middle. The Terrapins received a little bit of help from the umpire.
It was an unfortunate break for the Hoosiers as a Big Ten official prevented one of their defensive backs from making a crucial tackle in the open field.
Running back Roman Hemby took a handoff five yards deep in the backfield at his own 20-yard-line. He cut hard to the left and went untouched through the B-gap. A pair of defenders were unable to wrap him up as he ran by. The 6-foot-0, 208-pound running back went streaking for six and tied the game at 21.
HIMby for six!
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 28, 2024
All even at 21 apiece
📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/SuhhMfFpco
Indiana had an opportunity to prevent the big play at the 33-yard-line.
Defensive backs Shawn Asbury II and D’Angelo Ponds were in position to make the tackle deep in the second. Only one Maryland player was downfield to block a pair of would-be tacklers.
He went left and flushed Johnson out of the play. Ponds went unblocked. Kind of.
The Terrapins didn’t lay a finger on him. The safety got tangled up with the umpire and was unable to get to the ball carrier.
It was a perfect block by the official, who tried to get out of Hemby’s way.
— wow that was crazy (@CowardlyDoggo) September 28, 2024
There is nothing that Indiana could’ve done differently. College football does not have anything to prevent these kinds of accidental collisions. The down is not replayed. It stands.
Maryland tied the game with a 75-yard touchdown that might’ve been stopped after just eight yards if the Big Ten umpire did not get in the way. Ponds had a chance to make a touchdown-saving tackle as the last line of defense but ended up on the ground after getting decked by an official. Tough break!