Maryland Routed by UCLA 54-3 as Turnovers Pile Up
The short version
- Maryland lost to UCLA 54-3, committing five turnovers including four Malik Washington interceptions.
- UCLA returned two of Washington's interceptions for touchdowns, including a 65-yarder by Scooter Jackson.
- Maryland rushed for just 39 yards on 30 carries and went 1-for-15 on third down.
- UCLA's Wayne Knight totaled 135 scrimmage yards, 75% of Maryland's entire offensive output.
- The Terps fell to 2-2, tying their worst start in Mike Locksley's eight seasons as head coach.
The Terrapins committed five turnovers, including four Malik Washington interceptions, in a lopsided home loss to UCLA that dropped them to 2-2.
Maryland suffered a 54-3 home defeat to UCLA at SECU Stadium on Saturday, one of the worst losses of head coach Mike Locksley's tenure. The Terrapins turned the ball over five times, with sophomore quarterback Malik Washington throwing four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.
The blowout began to take shape early. After Maryland's Daniel Wingate forced a fumble from UCLA wide receiver Noah Fox-Flores in the opening minutes, the offense could not capitalize, and the Terrapils punted on five of their first six drives. Washington completed 61% of his passes for just 89 yards on the day.
Washington's first interception came on a deep third-down heave toward the end of the first quarter. Facing 3rd-and-22, he rolled right and threw into triple coverage intended for Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, and UCLA's Mason Rivera came down with the ball. The Bruins converted that turnover into a 45-yard touchdown run by Wayne Knight.
The sophomore quarterback's roughest moment came in the second quarter. Trailing by 24 with 8:16 left before halftime, Washington threw a short pass toward the left flats that found no Maryland receiver nearby. UCLA's Scooter Jackson intercepted the pass and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, extending the deficit the Terps never threatened to erase.
Maryland's offensive line offered little protection, surrendering two sacks and four tackles for loss within the first 19 minutes. On one of those sacks, Scott Taylor hit Washington as he threw, forcing a fumble that center Michael Hershey recovered. UCLA's pre-snap movement and extra rushers repeatedly freed unblocked defenders into the backfield.
The ground game was equally ineffective. With only three of Maryland's nine running backs active, the team managed 39 yards on 30 carries. Junior Chris Durr Jr. provided nearly all of the offense's first-half production, accounting for 46 of the Terps' 88 yards before halftime, 45 of which came after the catch.
UCLA's rushing attack did the opposite. Knight, a fifth-year running back, racked up 135 scrimmage yards — 75% of Maryland's entire offensive output — and the Bruins' trio of Knight, Anthony Nirvana and Jaivian Thomas combined for three touchdowns. UCLA's offense also recorded nine plays of 10 or more yards against a Maryland secondary that struggled in coverage.
Maryland's lone points came from kicker Sean O'Haire, who made his first field goal since the UConn game. Punter Bryce McFerson kicked eight times for 359 yards, an average of 44.9 yards per punt. The Terps also went 1-for-15 on third down, a failure tied largely to the absence of any consistent rushing attack.
The loss dropped Maryland to 2-2, matching the program's worst start of the Locksley era in his eighth season leading the team and intensifying scrutiny of the head coach. Washington, who also struggled against UCLA in the 2025 matchup, finished with a 47% completion percentage in one of the poorest performances of his young career.
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