Maryland football looks to rebound after 35-26 home loss to Virginia Tech
Maryland fell to 2-1 after struggling to run the ball, allowing repeated third-down conversions and giving up several costly plays in a 35-26 loss to Virginia Tech.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
Maryland lost to Virginia Tech 35-26. The Terps fell to 2-1. Maryland is 2-12 in its last 14 home games against Power 4 opponents. Malik Washington passed for 359 yards and three touchdowns. Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III combined for 48 rushing yards. Virginia Tech converted 10 of 15 meaningful third downs. Maryland committed three pass-interference penalties that contributed to touchdowns. The Terps struggled with missed tackles throughout the game.
Maryland football is trying to regroup after another difficult home performance against a Power 4 opponent.
The Terrapins fell to 2-1 after losing 35-26 to Virginia Tech at SECU Stadium, continuing a troubling recent stretch in major home games.
Since beating Virginia 42-14 in September 2023, Maryland has gone 2-12 at home against Power 4 opponents, most of them Big Ten teams.
Sophomore quarterback Malik Washington said afterward that the Terps still need to improve their ability to finish games, particularly in the fourth quarter.
The loss also created another difficult night for a Maryland fan base hoping to see the program take a step forward.
Virginia Tech built an early lead, and after the Hokies scored to make it 35-14 early in the second half, many fans in the announced sellout crowd of 46,185 began heading for the exits.
Washington acknowledged that winning is the clearest way for Maryland to convince fans to keep coming back.
Running game struggles
Maryland again played without redshirt sophomore running back DeJuan Williams, who missed his second straight start after experiencing a knee issue earlier this season.
Without him, the Terps struggled to establish the run.
Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III combined for just 48 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 carries.
That placed more responsibility on Washington and the passing game.
Washington finished with 359 passing yards and three touchdowns, but Maryland became increasingly dependent on throwing the football as the deficit grew.
Washington declined to blame the offensive line or running backs, saying execution problems were spread across the offense.
Defense struggles on third down
Maryland also had significant problems getting off the field defensively.
Virginia Tech converted 10 of 15 third-down opportunities, excluding a kneel-down at the end of the game.
Maryland also committed four defensive penalties, including three pass interference calls that eventually contributed to Virginia Tech touchdowns.
Missed tackles were another major issue.
On one play, Virginia Tech running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. broke multiple tackles on a 49-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer also escaped pressure and scored on a third-and-goal scramble from the 18-yard line.
Coach Michael Locksley said Maryland did not tackle well enough and emphasized the need for better pursuit and fundamentals.
The challenge now is responding quickly.
Senior linebacker Daniel Wingate said the team will not allow one loss to define its season and expects Maryland to return with better energy and execution.
WHAT IT MEANS
Maryland’s biggest concern is not simply one loss.
The Terps struggled in several areas that can become recurring problems against Big Ten competition: running the ball consistently, getting off the field on third down and finishing tackles.
The offense showed it can produce through Washington’s arm, but Maryland will need more balance and cleaner defensive execution to avoid becoming too one-dimensional as the season progresses.
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