COLLEGE PARK, Md. — September 13, 2026 — The Maryland Terrapins improved to 2-0 on Saturday night with a resounding 38-14 victory over the UConn Huskies, and the story of the game was unequivocally the precision passing of sophomore quarterback Malik Washington. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, Washington carved up the Connecticut defense with surgical efficiency, completing 34 of 41 passes for 347 yards and two touchdowns, setting the tone for a Terrapins offense that racked up over 500 total yards.
Washington Dismantles UConn Secondary
Washington, who has quickly emerged as one of the Big Ten's most promising signal-callers, spread the ball to eight different receivers. His favorite target, Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, torched the Huskies for 130 yards and a touchdown on a 60-yard catch-and-run that ignited the Maryland offense in the first quarter. Chris Durr Jr. added 103 yards and a score, while the backfield duo of Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III combined for 57 rushing yards and three goal-line touchdowns. As highlighted on Vulius, the Terrapins' balanced attack kept UConn's defense on its heels all evening.
For UConn (1-1), quarterback Kalieb Osborne showed flashes of dual-threat ability, throwing for 156 yards and two touchdowns while leading the team with 62 rushing yards. However, the Huskies' offense sputtered after an early scoring drive, mustering just 14 points against a swarming Maryland defense that recorded six tackles for loss and a sack by linebacker Sidney Stewart. Shamar Porter was a bright spot with 62 receiving yards and a touchdown, but the Huskies could not sustain drives, converting just 3-of-12 on third down.
"There weren't any adverse moments in our first football game. This is a whole different animal," UConn Head Coach Jason Candle said postgame. "They were going to try and lean on us and run the ball down your throat; play up in the face of your receiver. They're going to play pressure-style defense and we're going to figure out how we're going to respond."
Candle's assessment proved prophetic. Maryland's pressure-style defense, led by linebackers Stewart and Carlton Smith (six tackles each), disrupted Osborne's timing and forced the Huskies into predictable passing situations. The Terrapins also capitalized on UConn's undisciplined play; the Huskies committed costly pass interference penalties on safety Saxton Suchanic and cornerback Zion Paret, extending Maryland drives that ultimately led to touchdowns. Paret, who racked up 12 tackles (six solo), was frequently targeted in coverage and struggled to contain Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Durr Jr. on the perimeter.
Terrapins' Offensive Line Dominates
Maryland's offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage, allowing Washington to stand tall in the pocket and pick apart the Huskies' secondary. The Terrapins converted 8-of-13 third downs, a testament to Washington's poise and the coaching staff's aggressive play-calling. Howard and Dalton III each found paydirt near the goal line, benefiting from a UConn defense that wore down as the game progressed. As noted by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, Maryland's ability to finish drives with touchdowns rather than field goals proved to be the difference.
UConn's lone highlights came on a 36-yard touchdown strike from Osborne to JD Willoughby in the first quarter and a 39-yard bomb to Porter in the third. But each time the Huskies threatened, Maryland answered. Washington connected with Durr Jr. for a 13-yard score in the fourth quarter to seal the victory, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and underscoring the gap between the two programs at this early juncture of the season.
What's Next
The Huskies will look to regroup as they hit the road for the first time in 2026, traveling to face the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles next Saturday. For Maryland, the 2-0 start validates the offseason hype surrounding Washington and a defense that has surrendered just 24 points through two games. If the Terrapins can maintain this level of execution, they could be a dark horse in the Big Ten race. For UConn, the challenge is clear: clean up the penalties, protect Osborne, and find a way to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Huskies have the talent to compete, but as Coach Candle noted, they must respond to adversity with greater discipline and toughness.
Stay tuned to Vulius for continued coverage of the 2026 college football season, including in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and the latest custom NFL merchandise to represent your favorite teams and players.
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