Malik Washington throws for 359 yards and three touchdowns and Chris Durr Jr. delivers a career night, but Maryland’s fourth-quarter rally falls short before a sellout crowd at SECU Stadium.
The Hokies defeated Maryland 35-26 Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 46,185 at SECU Stadium, handing the Terrapins their first loss of the season and ending their nation-leading 20-game nonconference winning streak.
Maryland (2-1) had not lost a nonconference game since 2019.
Washington completed 30 of 43 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns, while Chris Durr Jr. caught 12 passes for 109 yards and two scores.
But Virginia Tech (3-0) generated 445 yards of offense and converted 10 of 16 third downs, repeatedly extending drives and keeping Maryland's defense on the field.
“Obviously a disappointing night for us,” Maryland coach Michael Locksley said. “I like the way the team kept fighting. We’ll learn from this one.”
VIRGINIA TECH BUILDS EARLY LEAD
Virginia Tech established control on its opening possession, scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.
The Hokies stretched the margin to 13-0 early in the second quarter when quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer scored on an 18-yard run. Maryland blocked the extra point.
The Terrapins answered when Washington connected with Kaleb Webb for 44 yards, setting up Iverson Howard’s 1-yard touchdown run with 12:31 remaining in the half.
Howard became the first Maryland player since Roman Hemby in 2023 to rush for a touchdown in each of the season’s first three games.
Virginia Tech responded with a 49-yard touchdown pass to make it 20-7.
Washington and Durr helped Maryland answer again.
Washington moved the Terps downfield before finding Durr for a 12-yard touchdown with 2:11 remaining, cutting Virginia Tech’s advantage to 20-14.
The Hokies, however, struck again before halftime and carried a 27-14 lead into the locker room.
HOKIES TAKE CONTROL AFTER HALFTIME
Maryland needed an early second-half response. Instead, Virginia Tech widened the gap.
The Hokies put together an 11-play scoring drive and eventually carried a 35-14 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Virginia Tech's ability to sustain possessions proved costly for Maryland. The Hokies finished 10-for-16 on third down while piling up 445 total yards.
“There were no indications for me that we would play defense the way we played in terms of not being able to get off the field or stop the run,” Locksley said.
Maryland's defense was led by Daniel Wingate with 12 tackles, while Nahsir Taylor recorded a red-zone sack.
WASHINGTON SPARKS FOURTH-QUARTER COMEBACK
With Maryland down 21 points, Washington went to work.
He connected with Dorian Fleming for a 2-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter, beginning the Terps’ comeback attempt.
Washington later hit Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding for 43 yards before finding Durr for a 13-yard touchdown to finish a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
The two fourth-quarter touchdown passes brought Maryland within nine, but Virginia Tech closed out the 35-26 victory.
The loss was Maryland’s first to a nonconference opponent since 2019.
Durr was one of the biggest bright spots for the Terrapins.
His 12 catches, 109 yards and two touchdowns placed him alongside DJ Moore and Torrey Smith as the only Maryland players over the past 30 seasons to record at least 12 receptions, 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in a game.
Durr also became the only Maryland player since 1996 with consecutive games of at least 10 receptions.
His performance gave him more than 1,000 career receiving yards. Fleming also surpassed the 1,000-yard career mark Saturday.
Fleming finished with six receptions for 72 yards, while Webb narrowly missed a 100-yard performance with a career-high 98 yards on five catches.
Chris Durr Jr. makes it a one score game.
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) September 20, 2026
📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/5lIEH6oGEu
WASHINGTON CONTINUES CLIMB UP MARYLAND RECORD BOOK
Despite the loss, Washington continued his ascent through Maryland’s career passing lists.
His 359-yard performance marked his second consecutive 300-yard game, making him the first Maryland quarterback to accomplish the feat since Taulia Tagovailoa in 2022.
Washington now has 3,855 career passing yards, moving him to No. 13 in Maryland history. His 356 career completions rank eighth, while his 23 career touchdown passes are tied for 12th.
Saturday also marked Washington’s third career game with three touchdown passes.
His performance came with an unusual footnote: Washington delivered a 34-yard punt in the second quarter, becoming Maryland’s first quarterback to punt in a game since Scott Milanovich in 1995.
SELLOUT CROWD SEES STREAK COME TO AN END
The announced attendance of 46,185 gave Maryland its fourth sellout over its past six home games, dating to the 2025 season.
It was the 33rd meeting between Maryland and Virginia Tech. The Terrapins continue to hold a 17-16 advantage in the all-time series.
“The fans did their part. We’ve got to do ours,” Locksley said. “We can’t let this one game define us entering into Big Ten play.”
MARYLAND TURNS TO UCLA FOR BIG TEN OPENER
There will be little time for Maryland to dwell on its first loss.
The Terrapins remain at SECU Stadium for Family Weekend and open Big Ten play against UCLA on Sept. 26.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., with the game airing on Big Ten Network and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.
For Maryland, the assignment is straightforward: turn the page from a night when Washington and Durr produced big numbers but Virginia Tech controlled too many critical situations.
“We’ve got to get rid of it and then get ourselves ready to play,” Locksley said.
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-- By James W. Thomas and Arvis Owens
© Copyright 2026 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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