COLLEGE PARK — 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 2023.

Maryland trailed 21-14 early in the fourth quarter before holding the Badgers to three-and-outs 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.

Maryland linebacker Trey Reddick had a blindside hit on Wisconsin freshman quarterback Ryan Hopkins, and the ball came out. Eyan Thomas recovered at the Badgers’ 33-yard line with 1:52 left. It was the third forced fumble of the game by Maryland.

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Five straight rushes by Williams set up Sean O’Haire for the winning 30-yard field goal with 29 seconds left.

Williams finished the game with 19 straight completions — a program record. He was 21-for-23 for 183 yards and carried 11 times for 17 yards and two short scores. Williams, a transfer from Sacramento State, made his first start in place of Malik Washington, who was wearing a left knee brace after a game-time decision.

Hopkins, who earned Big Ten freshman of the week honors after throwing for three touchdowns in his starting debut last week, was 11-for-22 for 77 yards for Wisconsin (6-4, 4-3). The Badgers were just 2-for-13 on third downs. Mason Posa had a game-high 13 tackles to reach double digits for the fourth straight game.

Maryland took its first lead with 8:24 left in the third after taking advantage of a Wisconsin turnover. Ricardo Cooper Jr. recovered a fumble at the Wisconsin 12-yard line, and Williams ran it to the outside on fourth down for his second rushing touchdown.

The Badgers’ only other loss in this six-game series came last season, when the Terrapins earned a 27-10 victory in Madison.

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Up next

Wisconsin plays at Purdue next Saturday.

Maryland plays at No. 15 USC next Saturday.