Big Ten Daily (Nov. 27): Taulia Tagovailoa Goes Down as an All-Time Big Ten Great

There's no question Taulia Tagovailoa has had a special career at Maryland. With a 300-yard performance vs. Rutgers, the Terrapins quarterback became the Big Ten's all-time passing leader.

When you mention the names of some of the best quarterbacks in Big Ten history, Taulia Tagovailoa has to be mentioned. The Maryland quarterback accomplished an impressive feat on Saturday to conclude a special career.

Tagovailoa threw for 361 yards and three touchdowns while completing 24-of-31 passes in Maryland's 42-24 win over Rutgers to end the season. The senior quarterback surpassed the Big Ten's passing record with performance, previously set at 11,163 yards by former Purdue gunslinger Curtis Painter.

After Saturday's game, Tagovailoa sits at 11,256 passing yards at Maryland. He'll have one more game to add to that total when the Terrapins learn their bowl destination next week.

Followers of the Big Ten probably aren't overly surprised by Tagovailoa's accomplishment. He's been one of the conference's most prolific passers since joining Mike Locksley's team in 2020. But because the Terps don't carry the weight of Ohio State or Michigan, he hasn't received the same national attention as quarterback's like C.J. Stroud, J.J. McCarthy and others in his career.

Tagovailoa has eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark each of the last three seasons. This year marked the second time he's thrown for 25-plus touchdown passes in a single year (2021). The senior owns a 67.1% completion rate.

Imagine where Maryland might be had he not transferred from Alabama.

The best part of Tagovailoa's career accomplishment came after the game. Maryland had a special message from the quarterback's family the share, celebrating the impressive feat.

Taulia Tagovailoa gets emotional as he's shown a message from his parents and brother after becoming the Big Ten's all-time passing leader. pic.twitter.com/FvrFTVmlAg

— Andrew Chodes (@AndrewChodes_) November 26, 2023

Moments like this make college football special.

In addition to the Big Ten passing record, Tagovailoa has also thrown for 77 touchdowns during his time at Maryland. He's led the Terrapins to bowl appearances in three straight seasons.

Kyle Monangai Snaps Rutgers Drought

A tip of the cap goes to Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai, who became the program's first running back to eclipse 1,000 yards in a single season since Jawan Jamison in 2012.

It came in a losing effort, but Monangai racked up 118 yards on 20 carries in Saturday's loss to Maryland. 

Rutgers ended the season on a disappointing note, finishing with four consecutive losses to close the year with a 6-6 record. Monangai was a bright spot all season long, though.

Iowa Gets Redemption vs. Kansas State

Kansas State learned the hard way that it's awfully difficult to beat Iowa twice in the same season. The fifth-ranked Hawkeyes battled the No. 16 Wildcats for the second time in a week, with Iowa on the right side of the scoreboard this time.

Caitlin Clark struggled mightily in the first meeting on Nov. 16, a 65-58 win for Kansas State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The reigning National Player of the Year connected on just two-of-16 shots from 3-point range in the loss, ending with 24 points.

On Sunday, Clark fired up 16 shots from deep again, this time knocking down seven. That included a clutch triple with less than 50 seconds remaining. With Iowa ahead 72-70, she sank the shot to put the Hawkeyes up five and essentially seal the win.

Caitlin Clark. pic.twitter.com/NYLp8lb4gK

— Taka Kauri (@takamaikauri) November 27, 2023

Clark finished the contest with 32 points, six assists and five rebounds.

Molly Davis and Kate Martin also stepped up for the Hawkeyes. Davis scored 13 points in the game while Martin recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and collecting 10 rebounds.

Ugly Loss for Minnesota's Ben Johnson

Minnesota is only six games into the college basketball season, but things are not going well for third-year coach Ben Johnson. The Golden Gophers dropped a 76-58 decision to San Francisco on Sunday, falling to 4-2 on the year.

Sloppy play led to the latest Minnesota disappointment on the hardwood. The Gophers ended the game with 18 turnovers, compared to just six for San Francisco. As the kids say these days, "big yikes."

The turnover woes allowed San Francisco to win Sunday's battle without doing anything special. The Dons made just four shots from 3-point range. They attempted only eight free throws. 

That's not even the worst part. 

Minnesota could've actually avoided disaster. With nine minutes remaining in the game, San Francisco owned a 55-50 advantage. The Dons outscored the Gophers 21-8 down the stretch to cruise to the victory.

It's far too early for the "hot seat" conversation. I'm not the person who calls for a coach's job. But there's growing unrest with the basketball team's performance in Minneapolis.

Sunday's loss certainly doesn't help matters.

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