COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Backup quarterback Cardell Williams ran for two touchdowns and threw for the tying score with 2:11 remining as Maryland beat Wisconsin 24-21 on Saturday to secure back-to-back conference victories for the first time since 2023.
It was a 32-game span between consecutive conference victories for Maryland (4-6, 2-5 Big Ten), which beat Michigan State and Indiana in September of 2023.
Maryland trailed 21-14 early in the fourth quarter before holding the Badgers to a three-and-out on their next two drives. Then, Williams found Preston Howard wide open down the right sideline and he went untouched for a 39-yard score to tie it with just over two minutes left.
Williams’ first touchdown pass as a Terp was his 19th consecutive completion — to break Malik Washington’s program record of 18 set on Sept. 12, 2026, at UConn.
Maryland linebacker Trey Reddick had a blindside hit on Wisconsin freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins and the ball came out, recovered by Eyan Thomas at the Badgers’ 33-yard line with 1:52 left.
Five straight rushes by Williams set up Sean O’Haire for the winning 30-yard field goal with 29 seconds left.
“They believe that as long as there are seconds on the clock, somebody can make a play,” interim coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim said.
Williams was 21 of 23 for 183 yards and carried it 11 times for 17 yards and two short scores. Williams, a transfer from Sacramento State, made his first start in place of the injured Washington, who was wearing a left knee brace after a game-time decision.
“I’m happy for Cardell in that he got the opportunity to play in a Power 4 football game,” Abdul-Rahim said. “It’s also a testament to how we prepare as a staff and infuse confidence into the next man up. I’m really happy that he was able to excel.”
Hopkins, who earned the Big Ten freshman of the week honors after throwing for three touchdowns in his starting debut last week, was 11 of 22 for 77 yards for Wisconsin (6-4, 4-3). The Badgers were just 2 of 13 on third downs. Mason Posa had a game-high 13 tackles to reach double digits for the fourth straight game.
Maryland’s defense forced three turnovers and limited the Badgers to 201 total yards. The Terps are the only team in the Big Ten that has forced a turnover in every conference game this season.
The Badgers’ only other loss in this six-game series came last season when the Terrapins earned a 27-10 victory in Madison.
Up next
Wisconsin plays at Purdue next Saturday.
Maryland plays at No. 15 USC next Saturday.
