With just under two minutes left and USC on its way to a field goal that sealed the game by six points, the unthinkable happened.

Maryland football linebacker Donnell Brown got his hands on the attempt and the block was sent back into USC territory by defensive back Glen Miller.

The Terps scored five plays, 47 yards and 48 seconds later to take an unlikely lead with less than a minute to go. The advantage held for the rest of the game – despite Maryland’s various errors, mistakes and blunders, it pulled off a season-saving 29-28 win Saturday night at SECU Stadium.

The early action was not marked by great offensive performances as both secondary players stepped up early. The Terps held USC well on their first drive, but the Trojans stymied Maryland’s offense equally on the first two drives.

In his second game calling offensive plays, head coach Michael Locksley dismissed the point, opting solely to pass the ball on the team’s first two drives. It wasn’t until the second play of the Terps’ third drive that they passed the ball to Nolan Ray for a three-yard gain.

Instead, the Terps’ offense was littered with quick bubble screens and short play-action throws. That didn’t produce explosive results, as Maryland scored just seven points in the first half.

Meanwhile, USC settled down well after the second stage. It drove into Maryland territory before being forced into a 52-yard field goal that it missed. But an illegal Terps substitution gave the Trojans a more manageable fourth down, which it converted.

On the ensuing series, Moss found wide receiver Kyron Hudson for a 22-yard touchdown, the first score of the game.

Similar fouls slowly piled up over the course of the half – and the game – as the Terps collected seven fouls for 60 yards on the night.

After the first touchdown – a corner faded to Octavian Smith Jr. – Maryland struggled to build on its momentum. A missed 52-yard field goal by Jack Howes and a fourth-and-2 foul on running back Roman Hemby left points on the board.

The start of the second half nearly sealed the Terps’ doom as they turned the ball over on downs after chewing more than three minutes off the clock. But Moss threw a pass to Zachariah Branch on the next drive, which resulted in an interception and return by Lavain Scruggs, putting Maryland at the USC 18-yard line.

The next play resulted in a Tai Felton touchdown, bringing the Terps within a score.

Yet Maryland only managed to take the lead very late. USC was forced to punt on the next drive and the Terps had no trouble driving the length of the field. But red zone trouble got the best of Maryland again, as Edwards threw an interception in the end zone on fourth down.

The Terps clawed their way back, however, forcing USC into a punt with 6:37 to go to give themselves another chance. After another failed fourth down play on the ensuing drive, things looked hopeless for Maryland.

But that’s when the magic happened — and Maryland’s first Big Ten victory resulted in an emphatic storming of SECU Stadium on Saturday night.

Three things to know

1. Late chaos occurred. After the Terps’ late score with just 53 seconds left, USC had a prime opportunity to drive downfield for a game-winning field goal attempt. It came all the way to the Maryland 40-yard line before a 4th-and-2 incomplete pass with 11 seconds left sealed the win for the home team.

2. A selection of the highlights. USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane had the best catch of the day, bar none, as his 15-yard one-handed reception for the team’s second score could potentially qualify for catch of the year. He wildly writhed his body around Maryland defensive back Perry Fisher before reeling it in.

3. Smith sees increased usage. Aside from his first touchdown reception of the 2024 season, it was encouraging for Maryland fans to get a good look at the crafty junior production. He finished the day with career-highs in both catches (8) and yards (84).