MARYLAND SPORTS BLOG | MARYLAND TERRAPINS FOOTBALL
Maryland Blows 10-Point Halftime Lead, Falls to Rutgers 37-30 for Fifth Straight Loss
By Brian Hradsky
October 18, 2026 | College Football | Big Ten Conference
The Maryland Terrapins suffered another disappointing defeat Saturday afternoon, falling 37-30 to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SECU Stadium in College Park. Maryland carried a 23-13 lead into halftime before Rutgers scored 24 unanswered points to take control of the Homecoming matchup. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but the Terrapins could not overcome a disastrous second-half performance. The loss dropped Maryland to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten Conference play, extending its losing streak to five games.
Rutgers quarterback Dylan Lonergan completed 23 of 35 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns, leading an offense that accumulated 442 total yards. Wide receiver KJ Duff caught nine passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Clay Thevenin rushed for 109 yards and added both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Maryland’s defense struggled to contain the Scarlet Knights after halftime, allowing Rutgers to control possession and sustain lengthy scoring drives. The Scarlet Knights improved to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play, earning their third consecutive victory over Maryland.
Rutgers vs. Maryland
SECU Stadium • College Park, MD
37
Rutgers
2-4
Final
Yesterday
30
Maryland
2-5
OverviewTeam StatsPlayer StatsPlay-By-Play
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUTG | 7 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 37 |
| MD | 7 | 16 | 0 | 7 | 30 |
First Quarter: Maryland Strikes First
Maryland opened the game with an aggressive offensive approach, using Washington’s passing ability and several effective rushing plays to establish momentum. The Terrapins struck first when Damon Hall Jr. scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 7:30 remaining in the opening quarter. The touchdown capped a seven-play, 45-yard drive and marked the first rushing touchdown of Hall’s college career. Sean O’Haire converted the extra point to give Maryland a 7-0 advantage.
Rutgers answered with an impressive 10-play, 75-yard possession that consumed more than six minutes. Lonergan connected with Duff for a spectacular 15-yard touchdown reception with 48 seconds remaining in the quarter. Duff made a difficult one-handed catch near the corner of the end zone, demonstrating the athleticism that would cause problems for Maryland throughout the afternoon. The extra point tied the game at seven heading into the second quarter.
Second Quarter: Terrapins Build a 10-Point Lead
Maryland regained control early in the second quarter when Washington connected with Dorian Fleming for a three-yard touchdown pass. The scoring play completed a six-play, 49-yard drive and gave the Terrapins a 14-7 lead with 10:46 remaining before halftime. Washington continued finding opportunities against the Rutgers secondary, spreading the football among several receivers while keeping the Scarlet Knights off balance. Maryland’s offense appeared to be finding the consistency it had lacked during its recent losing streak.
Rutgers responded with another lengthy scoring drive, marching 75 yards in 11 plays before Lonergan found Duff for a nine-yard touchdown. However, Maryland produced one of the afternoon’s most exciting special teams plays when Trey Reddick blocked the extra-point attempt. Jamare Glasker recovered the football and returned it for a defensive two-point conversion, giving the Terrapins a 16-13 advantage instead of allowing Rutgers to tie the game. The play provided Maryland with an important momentum swing and energized the Homecoming crowd.
The Terrapins capitalized before halftime with another touchdown drive, this time moving 60 yards in six plays. Chris Durr Jr. scored on a 16-yard rushing touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the second quarter, extending Maryland’s lead to 23-13. Rutgers attempted a 47-yard field goal before the break but failed to convert, allowing Maryland to maintain its double-digit advantage. The Terrapins entered the locker room having outscored Rutgers 16-6 during the second quarter, seemingly positioned to secure their first Big Ten victory of the season.
Third Quarter: Rutgers Erases Maryland’s Lead
The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime as Rutgers began controlling the line of scrimmage and extending its offensive possessions. The Scarlet Knights opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 58-yard drive that ended with Dane Pizzaro connecting on a 25-yard field goal. The kick reduced Maryland’s lead to 23-16 and immediately placed pressure on the Terrapins to respond offensively. Maryland struggled to establish consistent drives, allowing Rutgers to regain possession and continue attacking its defense.
Rutgers tied the game with four minutes remaining in the third quarter when Lonergan found Thevenin for a 19-yard touchdown reception. The scoring play capped a nine-play, 80-yard possession and completed the Scarlet Knights’ comeback from a 10-point halftime deficit. Maryland’s defense struggled to contain Rutgers’ combination of passing plays and rushing attacks, particularly when the Scarlet Knights created manageable third-down situations. The teams entered the closing stages of the quarter tied at 23, but Rutgers had seized control of the game’s momentum.
Thevenin delivered another crucial play late in the third quarter, scoring on a seven-yard touchdown run as time expired. The score completed a seven-play, 53-yard drive and gave Rutgers its first lead of the afternoon at 30-23. Maryland had surrendered 17 consecutive points during the third quarter while failing to score, completely reversing its first-half advantage. The sudden collapse placed the Terrapins in a difficult position entering the final 15 minutes.
Fourth Quarter: Late Maryland Rally Falls Short
Rutgers continued controlling possession during the fourth quarter, putting together a methodical 12-play, 64-yard touchdown drive that consumed nearly eight minutes. Running back Antwan Raymond finished the possession with a two-yard touchdown run with 4:03 remaining, extending the Scarlet Knights’ advantage to 37-23. The drive demonstrated Rutgers’ ability to control the clock and exposed Maryland’s inability to produce the defensive stops necessary to complete a comeback. By that point, Rutgers had scored 24 consecutive points after trailing by 10 at halftime.
Washington responded with one of Maryland’s strongest offensive possessions of the second half, directing a seven-play, 95-yard touchdown drive in just 1:45. The freshman quarterback connected with DeJuan Williams for a 10-yard touchdown pass with 2:17 remaining, cutting Rutgers’ lead to 37-30. Maryland’s defense subsequently forced a punt, giving Washington and the offense one final opportunity to tie the contest. However, the Terrapins failed to convert on their final possession, allowing Rutgers to escape College Park with the seven-point victory.
Maryland’s final opportunity ended with a particularly frustrating sequence near the Rutgers end zone. Washington attempted to connect with Fleming for what could have been a game-tying touchdown, but the receiver was ruled out of bounds on the play. The narrow margin between a potential touchdown and an incomplete pass reflected the afternoon’s larger frustrations for Maryland. Despite fighting back during the final minutes, the Terrapins could not erase the damage caused by their second-half collapse.
Game Statistics
| Category | Rutgers | Maryland |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 37 | 30 |
| Total offense | 442 yards | 378 yards |
| Passing yards | 291 | 263 |
| Rushing yards | 151 | 115 |
| First downs | 28 | 19 |
| Time of possession | 35:52 | 24:08 |
| Penalty yards | 39 | 39 |
Statistics: Rutgers Athletics official game book.
Washington Shows Promise Despite Offensive Inconsistency
Washington finished with 263 passing yards and two touchdowns, recording the seventh multi-touchdown passing performance of his young college career. The freshman completed 19 of 38 passes without throwing an interception, although Maryland struggled to consistently move the football after halftime. Washington also led the Terrapins with 56 rushing yards, providing an additional offensive threat when passing opportunities were unavailable. His ability to lead a 95-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter demonstrated the potential that makes him an important part of Maryland’s future.
Durr provided another productive performance, catching six passes for 104 yards while adding a rushing touchdown. The receiver has now recorded five games with at least 100 receiving yards this season, establishing himself as one of Washington’s most dependable targets. Fleming and Williams each contributed touchdown receptions, while Hall recorded his first career rushing touchdown during the opening quarter. Although Maryland displayed offensive potential throughout the afternoon, its inability to sustain drives during the third quarter ultimately proved costly.
Maryland Defense Struggles to Contain Rutgers
Maryland’s defense entered the afternoon needing a strong performance against a Rutgers offense that had struggled to consistently produce victories. The Terrapins created several positive plays, including Glasker’s interception and Zion Elee’s strip sack, but those moments were overshadowed by the Scarlet Knights’ sustained offensive success. Rutgers finished with 28 first downs and controlled possession for nearly 36 minutes, allowing its offense to dictate the pace of the game. Maryland particularly struggled against Thevenin and Duff, who combined to account for four Rutgers touchdowns.
The inability to get off the field during the second half became one of Maryland’s most significant problems. Rutgers repeatedly extended drives, limiting Washington’s opportunities to regain offensive momentum while forcing the Terrapins’ defense to remain on the field. The Scarlet Knights’ fourth-quarter touchdown possession consumed nearly eight minutes, leaving Maryland with little time to complete its comeback. For head coach Michael Locksley, improving defensive consistency and limiting lengthy possessions must become priorities during the upcoming bye week.
Locksley Addresses Another Difficult Defeat
Locksley acknowledged that Rutgers executed its game plan effectively, particularly when controlling possession during the second half. The Maryland head coach expressed frustration with his team’s inability to maintain offensive consistency despite building a substantial halftime advantage. He also recognized the improvement Maryland demonstrated on special teams and in certain defensive situations, but those developments were insufficient to overcome the overall result. The Terrapins now enter their bye week with a 2-5 record and five consecutive losses.
Maryland’s struggles extend beyond Saturday’s matchup, as the program has now lost 12 consecutive Big Ten games dating to the previous season. The Terrapins have not recorded a conference victory since defeating Wisconsin during the 2025 season, increasing the pressure surrounding Locksley and the direction of the program. With five regular-season games remaining, Maryland must win at least four to reach the traditional six-win threshold for bowl eligibility. The upcoming bye week provides an opportunity to evaluate the offensive and defensive breakdowns that have contributed to the team’s disappointing season.
MSB Take
Maryland’s 37-30 loss to Rutgers was particularly frustrating because the Terrapins demonstrated they were capable of controlling the game during the first half. Washington showed flashes of his potential, Durr continued producing at a high level and Maryland’s special teams delivered one of the most impressive plays of the afternoon. However, none of those positives can overshadow the fact that Maryland surrendered 24 unanswered points after taking a 10-point halftime lead. A Big Ten team cannot expect to consistently win when it fails to score for an entire quarter while allowing its opponent to dominate possession.
The most concerning development is that Maryland continues finding ways to lose games that appear winnable. Rutgers entered Saturday with only one victory, yet the Scarlet Knights controlled the second half and exposed significant weaknesses in Maryland’s defense and offensive consistency. Locksley deserves credit for developing talented young players such as Washington, but the program must demonstrate meaningful improvement in execution and game management. Maryland has enough individual talent to compete with conference opponents, but its inability to deliver complete four-quarter performances continues preventing that potential from translating into victories.
The upcoming bye week could prove critical for the remainder of Maryland’s season. Washington’s development remains encouraging, and the Terrapins have several offensive playmakers capable of producing explosive plays when given opportunities. However, Maryland must improve its defensive discipline, establish a more reliable rushing attack and avoid extended offensive droughts. With five games remaining and bowl eligibility increasingly difficult to achieve, the Terrapins need to show substantial improvement rather than continue repeating the mistakes that have defined their losing streak.
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Sources: Maryland Athletics | Official box score | Rutgers Athletics | ESPN | Associated Press via CBS Sports
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