UCLA vs. Maryland Recap: Five Turnovers and a 45-Yard Knight Score

UCLA beat Maryland 54-3, but the first quarter was scoreless. UCLA lost a fumble, punted and turned it over on downs on its first three drives. Then Wayne Knight broke a 45-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, and UCLA scored three touchdowns in that quarter to lead 20-3 at halftime. Two interception-return touchdowns in the third quarter ended it. Four DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game, all posted before kickoff, and three of them rode on Knight.

What cashed

UCLA ML (-142 at DraftKings): CASHED

• Our read: UCLA came in 3-0. Maryland had 21 players on its injury report with 16 out, including running backs DeJuan Williams and Harry Dalton III and edge rusher Zahir Mathis, and it was coming off a loss to Virginia Tech.
• What happened: UCLA won by 51. Maryland ran 30 times for 39 yards and converted 1 of 15 third downs. Malik Washington threw 4 interceptions, and Ta'Shawn James (39 yards) and Scooter Jackson (65 yards) each took one back for a touchdown in the third quarter. Maryland finished with 5 turnovers and 181 total yards.
• Worth watching: At -142 this was playable as a single, not just a parlay leg. The game matched the read: Maryland could not run the ball and could not hold on to it.

Wayne Knight anytime TD: CASHED

• Our read: Knight had 8 touchdowns in three games and had scored in every one, at 8.8 yards per carry. He was not on UCLA's injury report, and Maryland had 16 players out.
• What happened: He scored UCLA's first touchdown, a 45-yard run with 13:31 left in the second quarter. Anthony Woods, Jaivian Thomas and Troy Leigber got UCLA's other three rushing touchdowns.
• Worth watching: He keeps finding the end zone, but this one came on a long run, and UCLA spread its short scores around. Check the price before laying heavy juice.

ALT: Wayne Knight 50+ rushing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: Knight had 345 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in three games, 115 per game, while books hung 71.5 to 79.5. Maryland was missing Zahir Mathis and had let Virginia Tech hold the ball for 36 minutes the week before.
• What happened: He ran 10 times for 100 yards and cleared 49.5 by 50.5. The 45-yard score covered almost all of this line on its own.
• Worth watching: This is the right tier for him. Even a day with only 10 carries cleared it by a lot.

ALT: Wayne Knight 60+ rushing yards (alt, targeted -170 to -200): CASHED

• Our read: He had run for 71, 97 and 177 yards, and his carries had gone up each week (8, 13, 18).
• What happened: He cleared 59.5 by 40.5, at 10.0 yards per carry. His workload came in at 10 carries, while Woods and Thomas got 7 each and Leigber got 5.
• Worth watching: It cashed with room, but the carry trend did not continue in a blowout. On 10 carries, 60 yards leans on a big play, so the 50+ tier is the steadier look.

How the game played out

Washington completed 18 of 38 passes for 142 yards, with no touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Iverson Howard led Maryland with 34 rushing yards on 12 carries. Maryland's only points came on a 12-play, 55-yard drive that ended in a 37-yard field goal before halftime. UCLA added 34 points after halftime, including an 83-yard touchdown catch by Aidan Mizell and a 63-yard touchdown run by Leigber.

Trends to watch

• Knight averaged 10.0 yards a carry but got only 10 carries in a blowout. Game script matters for his volume.
• Three of our four cashed plays were Knight. When plays stack on one runner, size them as a single position.
• Maryland had 5 turnovers and converted 1 of 15 third downs. While its injury list stays long, Maryland team total unders are worth a look.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. New to these terms? Read up on the alt line, the player prop and our college football hub.