Rutgers beats Maryland 37-30: Duff stars in second-half comeback
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Rutgers beat Maryland 37-30 on October 17, 2026.
- KJ Duff caught nine passes for 113 yards and two scores.
- Rutgers scored 24 straight points after half-time to win.
Rutgers beat Maryland 37-30 on Saturday. The game took place at SECU Stadium in College Park. A toe on the line decided the final play.
Maryland had one last chance to tie. Malik Washington threw to the back corner. Dorian Fleming caught the ball, but his foot landed out of bounds.
The play did not count. Rutgers took the ball back. The Scarlet Knights then knelt down to end the game.
The win was Rutgers' first Big Ten win of the season. It was the third straight win for Rutgers over Maryland. Maryland fell to 2-5 on the season.
What happened
Maryland scored first. Damon Hall ran one yard for a score. The run was the first touchdown of his career.
Maryland led 7-0..
Rutgers answered fast. Dylan Lonergan threw to KJ Duff in the end zone. Duff caught the ball with one hand.
His foot stayed in bounds. The game stood tied at 7-7..
Maryland took charge in the second quarter. Washington threw three yards to Fleming for a score. Maryland led 14-7.
Duff struck again soon after. He caught a nine-yard pass for his second score. The extra point kick was blocked, though.
Jamare Glasker picked up the loose ball. He ran it back for two points. Maryland led 16-13..
Maryland added one more score before half-time. Chris Durr ran 16 yards for a touchdown. The run was his first career rushing touchdown.
Maryland led 23-13 at the break.
Rutgers missed a 47-yard field goal late in the half. The kick fell short. Maryland kept its ten-point lead.
The second half belonged to Rutgers. Dane Pizzaro kicked a 25-yard field goal. Rutgers cut the gap to 23-16.
Then Lonergan found Clay Thevenin on a 19-yard pass. The score tied the game at 23-23. The crowd in College Park grew quiet.
Thevenin struck again early in the fourth quarter. He ran seven yards for a score. Rutgers led 30-23. It was the first lead of the game for Rutgers.
Antwan Raymond added a two-yard touchdown run. Rutgers led 37-23. The game looked done.
Maryland refused to quit. Washington threw ten yards to DeJuan Williams for a score. The gap shrank to 37-30.
Maryland forced a punt and got the ball back. Washington drove the team to the Rutgers 11-yard line. Then came the final play.
Washington threw to Fleming in the back corner. Fleming caught the ball with 16 seconds left. His foot landed out of bounds.
The refs ruled the pass incomplete.
Rutgers took over on downs. The Scarlet Knights knelt down to seal the win.
Why it matters
The win mattered for both teams. Both teams entered the game winless in the Big Ten. Rutgers left with its first league win.
The loss hurt Maryland more. The Terps have now lost five games in a row. They fell to 2-5 on the season.
They are 0-4 in Big Ten play.
Maryland led by ten points at half-time. The Terps then gave up 24 straight points. The second-half collapse hurt Maryland.
Duff was the star of the day. He caught nine passes for 113 yards. He scored two touchdowns.
It was his third game this season with two or more touchdown catches. His nine touchdown catches this season tie for fifth-most in one season in Rutgers history.
Lonergan played one of his best games of the season. He threw for 291 yards and three scores. He tossed one pick as well.
He completed 23 of 35 passes.
Thevenin gave Rutgers a second threat. He ran for 109 yards on 17 carries. He scored on the ground and through the air.
It was his first 100-yard rushing game as a Scarlet Knight. The run game gave Rutgers control late. Rutgers scored on four drives after half-time.
Maryland had bright spots too. Washington threw for 263 yards and two scores. He completed 19 of 38 passes.
Durr caught six passes for 104 yards. He also scored on the ground. Glasker grabbed a pick and scored on the blocked kick.
Zion Elee forced a fumble with a strip sack. The play came on Rutgers' first drive. It set an early tone for Maryland.
Big games shaped the day across college football. Ohio State beat Indiana 19-15 in another Big Ten game. Washington beat Purdue 38-26 in their own league clash.
Rutgers has now won three straight games over Maryland. The last two wins came in College Park. Maryland still leads the all-time series 12-10.
Coach Mike Locksley gave Rutgers credit after the game. "Have to give Rutgers credit," Locksley said. "They executed their game plan to a tee.
".
The game drew 39,326 fans to SECU Stadium. It was Homecoming Weekend for Maryland. The Terps will now look for answers.
What happens next
Rutgers hits the road again next week. The Scarlet Knights play 25th-ranked Northwestern on October 24. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern Time on Peacock.
A win there would build real momentum. Rutgers sits at 2-4 on the season. Two straight wins would change the mood fast.
Maryland gets a week off. The Terps have a bye next week. They will use the time to rest and regroup.
Maryland hosts Illinois on October 31. The start time is not set yet. It will be announced on Monday, October 19.
Locksley said the staff will review each part of the team. The bye week gives Maryland time to heal. The Terps must fix the second-half slides.
One foot decided this game. The next games will test both teams again. The Big Ten race stays wide open.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,