Maryland DB Perry Fisher breaks up a pass intended for Auburn's Rivaldo Fairweather in the fourth quarter of the 2023 Music City Bowl.
The Maryland Terrapins (8-5), led by head coach Mike Locksley, won its third consecutive bowl game in resounding fashion. The Terrapins jumped out to a commanding 21-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. The team’s quarterback combination proved to be too much for the Auburn Tigers (6-7), as sophomore Billy Edwards, Jr. earned Offensive MVP honors. He rotated with freshman quarterback Cameron Edge, who also threw for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Several of Maryland’s senior leaders were appreciative of what Locksley, a former offensive coordinator at Alabama, has done for the program, perhaps none more so than wide receiver Jeshaun Jones.
“Seeing the vision that he’s (Locksley) set for this program and the culture that he’s set for this program…to see it come to fruition, it’s been amazing to be a part of,” Jones said emphatically. “Felt so much love today from Terp nation and coach and the team and my brothers. I wouldn’t have wanted to go out another way.”
As for Locksley, he was just as thankful of the effort from some of Maryland’s veterans in today’s age of opt-outs and transfers in college football.
“Three straight bowl wins, back-to-back eight-win seasons. It’s not easy to do here,” Locksley began. “It was a lot of blood, sweat and tears from our players, coaches and staff throughout the finish of this season. Navigating a crazy two-week period of transfer portal, NIL and all that stuff, man…to be able to sit here with three straight seasons of finishing with wins at the end of the season is a testament to these kids. I love the contributions we got from some of the young players today. I love the way that the veteran players led us and finished the job, which you see rarely in college football these days. They found a way to get the job done.”
We feature some of the Maryland Terrapins and Auburn Tigers who stood out in our photo gallery recap.
Former Wake Forest wide receiver and current Terrapin WR coach/passing game coordinator Gunter Brewer coaches Maryland WR Kaden Prather in the pregame. Brewer has coached NFL wide receivers Randy Moss, D'Juan Woods, Justin Blackmon, Mack Hollins, Dez Bryant and Tutu Atwell. He also served as the Philadelphia Eagles WR coach in 2018.
Auburn finished the season at 6-7, but won three of his last five games to earn bowl eligibility.
Maryland DBs Ja'Quan Sheppard (No. 3 pictured) and Kevis Thomas (No. 25 pictured) practice ball skills as Auburn DB Jaylin Simpson (36 tackles, 4 INTs, TD in 2023) looks on.
Maryland DB Caleb Atogho (No. 27 pictured) focuses on the task at hand in the tunnel prior to the game.
The 2023 Music City Bowl had a flyover from the Tennessee Air Guard C-17 Globemaster III.
Maryland Terrapins freshman QB Cameron Edge completes a 57-yard pass to junior WR Kaden Prather (No. 1 pictured).
Maryland WR Kaden Prather (No. 1 pictured) catches a career-long 57-yard pass against Auburn in the first quarter of the 2023 Music City Bowl.
Maryland RB Roman Hemby escapes the grasp of Auburn LB Larry Nixon III (No. 30 pictured) on a 61-yard reception in the first quarter.
Auburn DE Kedric Faulk (No. 15 pictured) attempts to get off of Maryland RT Gottleib Ayedze as RB Roman Hemby bounces to the edge.
Maryland senior left tackle Delmar Glaze (No. 74 pictured) is a burgeoning NFL prospect due to his size, versatility and movement skills.
Maryland QB Billy Edwards, Jr. fakes a pass to WR Tai Felton (No. 10 picutred) as he sets up Auburn DE Zykeivous Walker (No. 91 pictured).
Maryland sophomore QB Billy Edwards, Jr. makes a move on Auburn safety Zion Puckett in the open field.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne's improved running skills weren't on display against Maryland. Thorne, however, finished with 515 yards rushing in 2023, including an impressive 92-yard effort against Georgia.
Auburn senior tight end Brandon Frazier runs in the end zone past Maryland safety Beau Brade for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Auburn LB Austin Keys (No. 6 pictured) breaks up the intended pass for Maryland TE Preston Howard.
Maryland LB Caleb Wheatland makes a textbook tackle versus Auburn's Micah Riley.
Auburn QB Payton Thorne attempts to escape the grasp of Maryland sophomore LB Caleb Wheatland (3.5 sacks, 5.5 TFLs in '23). Wheatland finished the contest with five tackles, QB sack and one tackle for loss.
Maryland DB Perry Fisher breaks up a pass intended for Auburn's Rivaldo Fairweather in the fourth quarter of the 2023 Music City Bowl.
Maryland DB Dante Trader, Jr. dives for an interception that gets nullified in the 2023 Music City Bowl.
Maryland sophomore QB Billy Edwards, Jr. earned Music City Bowl Offensive MVP honors after throwing for 126 yards (TD) and rushing for 50 yards (TD) in the team's 31-13 victory.
Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is now 3-0 in his three bowl game appearances for the Terrapins.