UNIVERSITY PARK — In RJ Maryland’s two standout performances this season, the star SMU tight end confirmed what his coach has always said. It means he’s ready to succeed at the next level.
The junior tight end from Southlake had a game-high two receiving touchdowns in the Mustangs’ 42-16 win over Florida State on Saturday night. They continued on consecutive drives with similar plays, with quarterback Kevin Jennings throwing two perfect passes that hit the front corner of the end zone.
Maryland made two NFL-level catches, extending SMU’s lead to 19 points.
“He’s a playmaker for us,” SMU head coach Rhett Lashley said after the game. “Getting him involved should be a big part of what we do.”
With those two receptions, he became Maryland State’s all-time leader in touchdown catches with 15 for a tight end with at least seven games left in his college career. He also did the same for his father’s former college rival, Russell Maryland of the Miami Hurricanes.
It was a refreshing performance for Maryland, which hasn’t been targeted much since Week 0, when he had eight catches for 162 yards and one touchdown.
Since that game, SMU has neutralized the threat Maryland creates, allowing just five catches for 29 yards over the past three games.
“We know RJ is a dog. When we come in, the team really has a game plan for him,” Jennings said. “It felt really good to be able to give him the ball and give him two touchdowns today. It’s my ex-roommate, so I took care of him and gave him some catches. I have to.”
Saturday’s touchdowns were the first two touchdowns Jennings has thrown against Maryland in his career. The receiving game hasn’t been as important in the last three games as quarterbacks have changed, but Jennings tried to pass more against Florida State, and Maryland reaped the benefits.
“Some games you can’t be that involved,” Maryland said. “You might be doing other things and blocking a little bit more. So any time you can get the ball in your hands, it’s good.”
The tight end currently leads SMU with 16 receptions and 221 yards. He is tied with Jordan Hudson for the team-high three touchdown receptions.
Lashley said Maryland has spent the last few weeks improving its teammates both in practice and in games. But the Mustangs are scheduled to play an AP League Top 25 opponent for the first time next week in Louisville, and keeping Maryland involved will be key to SMU and its passing game continuing to be successful.
“He practiced just as hard or harder every week. He was physical in the run game when we asked him to. He was the ultimate team man,” Lashley said. Ta. “When Kevin gave it a chance, I think we saw what he was capable of tonight.”
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