Maryland Hosts Rutgers for Homecoming With a Four-Game Skid to Break

Malik Washington runs against Rutgers in the teams’ 2025 meeting; Maryland hosts the Scarlet Knights for Homecoming on October 17th.

Maryland’s Homecoming game brings a direct opportunity to interrupt a difficult stretch. The Terps host Rutgers at SECU Stadium on Saturday, October 17th, with kickoff at 12:30 p.m. ET on BTN. Maryland enters 2–4 overall and 0–3 in the Big Ten; Rutgers is 1–4 and 0–2 in conference play.

A reset after four losses

The official Maryland schedule shows four consecutive defeats: Virginia Tech, UCLA, Nebraska and Ohio State. The most recent was a 45–16 loss in Columbus, covered in our Maryland–Ohio State recap. A promising opening record has given way to a stretch in which the Terps have yet to secure a conference victory.

Rutgers therefore represents more than a ceremonial Homecoming opponent. A win would stop that slide before the break in Maryland’s schedule; the next listed game after Saturday is at Illinois on October 31st. The stakes are immediate, even without framing one October result as a verdict on the entire season.

Washington and the matchup history

Maryland’s game preview highlights a productive ground game in last year’s meeting. The Terps rushed for 305 yards, including 164 from Malik Washington. His contribution included a 73-yard touchdown run, showing how much the quarterback’s mobility shaped that particular matchup.

That history provides a useful reference, not a prediction. Saturday’s task is to turn available openings into sustained possessions against the opponent now in front of Maryland. The recent losing streak makes execution in the current game more relevant than simply repeating last year’s numbers.

Wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. has 46 catches for 476 yards through six games, according to the team’s preview. On defense, Daniel Wingate’s Ohio State outing included 10 tackles and a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown. Those individual contributions are points to build around as Maryland pursues a more complete result.

Fans attending Homecoming can expect a Retro Red Out, with towels for the first 10,000 arrivals and recognition of the university’s 2026 Hall of Fame class. The celebration supplies the setting; ending the four-game skid is the football assignment.