Maryland Routed 54-3 by UCLA in Worst Loss Since 2019
The short version
- Maryland lost 54-3 at home to UCLA, its largest margin of defeat since November 2019.
- Malik Washington threw four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, after entering with no turnovers this season.
- Wayne Knight rushed for 100 yards on 10 carries; UCLA totaled 266 rushing yards.
- Maryland was penalized six times for 60 yards and allowed over 50 points for the second straight season.
The Terrapins fell to 2-2 with a home blowout that featured four interceptions, penalties, and 266 rushing yards allowed.
Maryland suffered its heaviest defeat since November 2019 on Saturday, falling 54-3 to UCLA at home in its Big Ten opener. The loss dropped the Terrapins to 2-2, the first time they have held that record since 2019, and intensified scrutiny of eighth-year head coach Michael Locksley.
Locksley has won only three games following a season-opening loss during his tenure, a pattern that has produced extended losing streaks in each of the past three seasons. Despite assurances that the current roster was better prepared to rebound, the result against UCLA pointed the other way.
UCLA controlled the line of scrimmage from the start. Maryland managed negative rushing yardage in the first half despite 16 attempts, with running back Iverson Howard carrying three straight times on the second drive before one of the team's eight punts. The Terps entered the game thin at running back, with only three healthy options, two of whom had played other collegiate sports last season and had not played football since high school.
Wayne Knight, who entered with 345 rushing yards and eight touchdowns through three games, ran for 100 yards on 10 carries, including a 45-yard touchdown that opened the scoring. UCLA finished with 266 rushing yards and three first-half rushing touchdowns, surpassing the two scores Virginia Tech managed against Maryland the previous week. The Bruins recorded two sacks in the first 19 minutes after Maryland had allowed just three during nonconference play, and finished with seven tackles for loss.
Quarterback Malik Washington, coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing games, had the worst outing of his career. The sophomore, who had not committed a turnover this season, threw four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns of 39 and 65 yards. He completed 18 of 38 passes for 142 yards, the second-lowest total of his Maryland career, and was repeatedly forced from the pocket.
Locksley said the goal was to get Washington into rhythm, but nothing the offense called worked. Washington said afterward that the issues were not fundamental, noting the team had executed well through three games and that such problems happen in football.
Penalties compounded Maryland's troubles. The Terps were flagged six times for 60 yards, with five penalties against the defense. A facemask call on Lavain Scruggs extended a UCLA drive that ended with an Anthony Woods touchdown for a two-possession lead Maryland never cut into. Jayvon Parker was penalized twice in the second quarter, and Jamare Glasker added a 15-yard pass interference. The defense surrendered more than 50 points for the second consecutive season, and penalties remain a recurring issue against power-conference opponents.
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