Maryland Football Snaps 13-Game Big Ten Losing Streak With Thrilling 34-29 Victory Over Purdue
By Brian Hradsky
Maryland Sports Blog | November 8, 2026 | College Football
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Maryland defeated Purdue 34-29 on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, at Ross-Ade Stadium, snapping a 13-game Big Ten Conference losing streak and giving interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim his first victory leading the Terrapins. Freshman quarterback Malik Washington accounted for four touchdowns, while Maryland’s defense recorded seven sacks in a dramatic road victory. The Terrapins overcame a five-point halftime deficit with a 21-point third quarter before surviving a final Purdue drive that reached the Maryland 11-yard line. The victory ended Maryland’s six-game overall losing streak and provided a much-needed breakthrough during a difficult season.
Malik Washington Leads Maryland’s Offensive Breakthrough
Washington delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, completing 13 of 18 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed eight times for 32 yards and two scores, becoming the first Maryland quarterback since 2023 to record multiple rushing touchdowns in a game. His ability to create explosive plays through the air and on the ground transformed an offense that had struggled throughout the first half. Washington’s four-touchdown performance demonstrated the potential Maryland has in its young quarterback as the program looks toward the future.
Maryland’s offense initially struggled to establish any rhythm against a Purdue defense that controlled field position and limited opportunities. The Terrapins managed just 108 yards and five first downs during the opening 30 minutes, leaving their defense responsible for keeping the game within reach. Washington finally provided a spark late in the second quarter when he connected with Chris Durr Jr. for a 31-yard completion before scoring on a 15-yard run. That touchdown cut Purdue’s lead to 9-7 and prevented the Boilermakers from building a more comfortable advantage.
Purdue added another field goal before halftime to take a 12-7 lead into the locker room, but Maryland emerged with a dramatically different offensive approach. Washington began attacking downfield more aggressively, taking advantage of opportunities to create significant gains rather than relying exclusively on sustained drives. The adjustment produced immediate results as Maryland scored three touchdowns in the third quarter. What had been a frustrating afternoon quickly became an impressive offensive turnaround.
Maryland Explodes for 21 Points in Third Quarter
Maryland opened the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that changed the direction of the game. Washington found Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding for a 44-yard touchdown pass, giving the Terrapins their first lead at 14-12. The reception also pushed Abdul-Rahim Gladding past 1,000 career receiving yards, adding a personal milestone to Maryland’s comeback. More importantly, the touchdown demonstrated that Purdue could no longer contain Maryland’s passing attack.
The Terrapins quickly capitalized on another opportunity when defensive lineman Lavain Scruggs forced a fumble on a sack of Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne. Linebacker Daniel Wingate recovered the football and returned it to the Purdue 2-yard line, giving Maryland excellent field position. Washington finished the possession with a 1-yard touchdown run, extending Maryland’s lead to 21-12. The sequence highlighted how Maryland’s defensive pressure could directly create scoring opportunities for its offense.
Purdue responded with a 30-yard touchdown run by Xavier Townsend, cutting Maryland’s advantage to 21-19 with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter. However, the Terrapins answered immediately when running back DeJuan Williams exploded down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown run on the next offensive play. Williams finished with 99 rushing yards on 14 carries, averaging more than seven yards per attempt. His long touchdown restored Maryland’s nine-point advantage and helped the Terrapins enter the fourth quarter leading 28-19.
Chris Durr Jr. Delivers Game-Changing Touchdown
Purdue continued fighting in the fourth quarter, moving the football deep into Maryland territory before settling for another field goal. Jacobo Echeverria Lozano connected from 22 yards to make the score 28-22, bringing the Boilermakers within one possession. Maryland needed another explosive offensive play to regain control, and Washington delivered one of the biggest passes of the season. Facing third down from deep in Maryland territory, he connected with Durr Jr. for an 87-yard touchdown that extended the lead to 34-22.
Durr Jr. finished with four receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as Maryland’s leading receiver in the victory. His 87-yard catch-and-run represented Maryland’s longest passing play since 2016 and came at a critical moment when Purdue appeared capable of reclaiming momentum. The touchdown showcased his ability to create yards after the catch and provided Maryland with a much-needed cushion. It also reinforced the effectiveness of the Terrapins’ more aggressive second-half offensive strategy.
The Boilermakers refused to surrender, assembling a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter. Fame Ijeboi scored on a 2-yard run with 3:50 remaining, reducing Maryland’s lead to 34-29. Purdue’s defense subsequently forced a punt, giving the home team one final opportunity to complete the comeback. With just over a minute remaining, Browne took possession at his own 5-yard line and began moving Purdue downfield.
Browne advanced the Boilermakers all the way to Maryland’s 11-yard line with five seconds remaining, setting up a dramatic final play. However, Maryland’s defense delivered the decisive stop when Sidney Stewart and Zion Elee combined to sack Browne as time expired. The sack ended Purdue’s comeback attempt and secured Maryland’s first conference victory of the season. For a team that had repeatedly struggled to finish games, the final defensive stand represented an especially meaningful moment.
Maryland’s Defense Makes the Difference
Although Washington and Maryland’s offense produced the game’s biggest highlights, the Terrapins’ defensive front played an equally important role in the victory. Maryland recorded seven sacks, its highest single-game total since 2020, while consistently disrupting Purdue’s passing attack. Freshman Zion Elee led the pass rush with 2.5 sacks, continuing to establish himself as one of the program’s promising young defensive players. His performance was particularly significant because he became Maryland’s first freshman since 2022 to record multiple sacks in a game.
Linebacker Nahsir Taylor led Maryland with a career-high 11 tackles, while Scruggs provided one of the game’s defining defensive plays with his forced fumble. The Terrapins also registered 13 tackles for loss, according to Maryland’s official statistics, demonstrating their ability to penetrate Purdue’s offensive line. Those negative plays helped compensate for a considerable difference in total offensive opportunities. Purdue ran 80 offensive plays compared with Maryland’s 45, but the Terrapins made more of their possessions.
Maryland’s red-zone defense also proved essential, particularly during the first half when Purdue repeatedly advanced into scoring position. The Boilermakers scored on four field goals before halftime but failed to turn those opportunities into touchdowns. Echeverria Lozano eventually finished with five successful field goals, setting a Purdue freshman single-season record along the way. While the kicker delivered an excellent individual performance, Purdue’s inability to consistently finish drives with touchdowns became one of the decisive factors in the outcome.
Maryland vs. Purdue: Key Statistics
| Category | Maryland | Purdue |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 390 | 425 |
| Passing yards | 253 | 296 |
| Rushing yards | 137 | 129 |
| First downs | 12 | 25 |
| Total plays | 45 | 80 |
| Third-down conversions | 5-of-10 | 7-of-17 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Points | 34 | 29 |
Statistics: Big Ten Conference and CBS Sports official game coverage.
Despite being outgained 425-390 and recording 13 fewer first downs, Maryland generated substantially more production per offensive play. The Terrapins averaged 8.7 yards per play compared with Purdue’s 5.3, reflecting the importance of their explosive second-half touchdowns. Maryland’s ability to score quickly prevented Purdue from fully exploiting its advantage in time of possession. The contrast between the two offenses illustrated how efficiency and timely execution can outweigh total yardage.
First Victory for Interim Coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim
Saturday’s victory carried additional significance because it marked Abdul-Rahim’s first win as Maryland’s interim head coach following the dismissal of Michael Locksley. The Terrapins entered the matchup searching for answers after losing six consecutive games and struggling through another difficult stretch of Big Ten competition. Their previous conference victory had come more than a year earlier, creating mounting frustration surrounding the program. Ending that drought on the road offered a meaningful reward for players and coaches who continued working through the adversity.
Abdul-Rahim’s team demonstrated noticeable improvement after halftime, particularly in its willingness to attack Purdue vertically and capitalize on defensive opportunities. Maryland scored 27 second-half points, including 21 in the third quarter, after managing only seven before the break. The Terrapins also showed resilience when Purdue threatened to regain control late in the contest. Although one victory does not erase the team’s struggles, it provides evidence that Maryland remains capable of competing and winning against Big Ten opponents.
The result improved Maryland’s overall record to 3-6 and its conference mark to 1-5, while Purdue fell to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Maryland also improved to 3-2 all-time against the Boilermakers. The Terrapins now have an opportunity to build on their performance during the final three games of the regular season. Their immediate challenge will be turning one productive afternoon into sustained improvement.
MSB Take: A Much-Needed Victory for Maryland Football
Maryland’s 34-29 victory over Purdue was about more than snapping a losing streak. The Terrapins needed a reason to believe they could still finish the season competitively, and their second-half performance provided exactly that. Washington demonstrated his potential as a dynamic offensive leader, while Durr Jr., Williams and Abdul-Rahim Gladding showed how dangerous Maryland can become when its playmakers receive opportunities in space. The defense also delivered the type of disruptive performance that Maryland must reproduce against stronger competition.
However, the victory should not overshadow the issues that remain. Maryland surrendered 425 total yards, allowed Purdue to run 80 plays and committed nine penalties for 107 yards. Those mistakes could prove costly against opponents with more efficient red-zone offenses. The Terrapins must improve their consistency, discipline and ability to sustain drives if they hope to finish the season with additional victories.
Washington’s development remains one of the most encouraging aspects of Maryland’s future. His four-touchdown performance showed the versatility necessary to succeed in the Big Ten, especially when the offense incorporates designed quarterback runs and downfield passing opportunities. Maryland should continue building around his strengths while developing the supporting talent necessary for a more balanced attack. The combination of Washington’s athleticism and the emergence of young defenders such as Elee gives the program several positive building blocks.
For Abdul-Rahim, Saturday represented an important personal and professional milestone. Guiding Maryland to its first Big Ten victory of the season during a period of uncertainty demonstrated that the team remains engaged and capable of responding to adversity. The challenge now becomes maintaining that intensity and carrying the momentum into the remaining schedule. Maryland fans have waited a long time for a conference victory, and Saturday finally gave them something worth celebrating.
What’s Next for Maryland?
Maryland returns home to face Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 14, at SECU Stadium in College Park. Kickoff is scheduled for noon ET, with television coverage on FS1. The Terrapins will attempt to build their first winning streak since the opening weeks of the season while continuing to evaluate their young talent. Another competitive performance would help reinforce the progress Maryland displayed against Purdue.
