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Washington Completes Historic 20-Point Comeback Against Maryland in Big Ten Showdown COLLEGE PARK, MD – The University of Washington Huskies staged a remarkable reversal of fortune on Saturday, overcoming a 20-point deficit to defeat the University of Maryland Terrapins 24-20 in a pivotal Big Ten conference football fixture. The Huskies, playing their first Big Ten road game since joining the conference, scored 21 unanswered points in the final quarter to hand the previously undefeated Terrapins their first loss of the 2025 season. The match at SECU Stadium was a contest of two distinct halves, defined by Maryland’s early dominance and a staggering fourth-quarter collapse. Maryland had built a commanding 20-0 lead shortly after the intermission, fueled by methodical, clock-draining drives and a stout defence that had successfully kept the Huskies off the scoreboard for nearly three quarters. However, Washington’s relentless second-half charge, coupled with a palpable loss of offensive rhythm by the Terrapins, ultimately determined the outcome, securing a crucial victory for the visiting side. Early Dominance and the Defining Shift Maryland’s strategy in the first half was built on controlling possession and capitalising on turnover margin, a strength that had defined their 4-0 start to the season. Quarterback Malik Washington led the Terrapins on several extended drives, including a 16-play, 71-yard touchdown march in the first quarter that consumed over eight minutes of play. This complementary style of football, mixing effective passing with opportunistic runs, pushed the lead to 13-0 by halftime. The lead was extended to 20-0 early in the third quarter after another successful drive. At this juncture, a victory for the home side appeared to be a formality, particularly given Washington’s recent struggles and the challenging cross-country travel for the Huskies squad. However, the momentum shifted decisively late in the third period. After Washington finally managed to get on the board with a field goal to make the score 20-3, Maryland’s offensive engine stalled.
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Three consecutive three-and-outs followed, failing to give their tiring defence necessary rest and opening the door for the Huskies’ explosive attack. The Huskies’ Resilient Response Washington Head Coach Jedd Fisch credited his players' resilience during the rally. "Our guys just kept believing, kept competing," Coach Fisch stated following the dramatic win. "We needed a dominant fourth quarter, and we got it. We played sound football. We covered, we rushed the passer, we tackled really, really well when the opportunities were there. " The Huskies’ resurgence was anchored by improved execution from quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and running back Jonah Coleman. Williams Jr. threw two key touchdown passes—a 3-yard strike to Denzel Boston and a 34-yard bomb to Dezmen Roebuck—to cut the deficit to 20-17. Washington’s final scoring drive, an 11-play, 80-yard masterpiece late in the fourth quarter, was capped by Coleman’s 1-yard run with just over three minutes remaining, putting the Huskies ahead 24-20, the first time Maryland had trailed all season. Crucially, Washington shut down the Maryland rushing attack in the second half.
Maryland attempted only four total rushing plays after the halftime interval, a notable lack of commitment to the ground game that contributed significantly to their inability to sustain drives. In contrast, Washington outgained Maryland by over 160 yards in the decisive second half. Context and Conference Implications For Maryland, the nature of the defeat represents a profound missed opportunity. A 5-0 start would have established the Terrapins as a serious contender in the newly expanded Big Ten. Instead, the loss revives persistent questions about the team’s ability to "put people away," especially after leading comfortably. "You have to learn to put people away," said Maryland Coach Mike Locksley in his post-match comments, underscoring the team's failure to close out a quality opponent at home. The defeat also prolonged what has become a curious statistic for the programme: the Terrapins have now not won a game immediately following a regular-season bye week since 2016, a trend the team had specifically attempted to address in preparation for the Washington match-up. For Washington, the comeback win is a landmark moment. It marks their first Big Ten road victory since their conference debut and provides a vital boost in confidence following a demanding schedule that included a recent loss to top-ranked Ohio State. The ability to win a close match across multiple time zones highlights the team’s mental toughness and depth. College football analysts were quick to point out the magnitude of the result. "This victory for Washington validates their place in the Big Ten," noted football analyst Daniel Wingate.
"To travel across the country, fall behind by three scores, and then flip the script entirely without needing late turnovers—that speaks volumes about their coaching and player leadership. Conversely, Maryland must now confront the psychological impact of letting a defining victory slip away. The margin between success and setback in this conference remains razor-thin. " Outlook for the Big Ten Schedule Both teams now stand at 4-1 overall with 1-1 conference records, demonstrating the increasing parity and competitiveness within the newly expanded Big Ten landscape. Washington will aim to carry this momentum into their next home fixture against Rutgers, seeking to establish consistency in the middle of their schedule. For Maryland, the challenge will be mental: responding positively to their first instance of adversity this season as they prepare to host Nebraska. Coach Locksley acknowledged the situation, stating, "This is the first bit of adversity we'll face together as a team, dealing with the loss, and I'm looking forward to seeing just how those guys respond. " The trajectory of both teams' seasons will depend heavily on how they process the dramatic events of this Big Ten contest. This video provides an expert preview of the key players and potential dynamics of the Maryland vs Washington Big Ten showdown ahead of the actual match. Washington vs Maryland: Week 6 Upset Alert?.
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