UConn drops to Maryland 38-14

· Yahoo Sports

The UConn Huskies (1-1) struggled to stay above water in their 38-14 loss to the Maryland Terrapins (2-0).

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Paving the way for Connecticut, quarterback Kalieb Osborne completed 10 of 21 (41.7%) passes for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Osborne also led with 62 rushing yards, while running back Kenji Christian posted 21 yards. In the air, Shamar Porter paved the way with 62 receiving yards and an end zone appearance. JD Willoughby followed with 36 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, cornerback Zion Paret racked up 12 tackles (six solo) and K’Von Sherman tallied nine (four solo).

As for Maryland, Malik Washington landed 34 of 41 (82.9%) throws for 347 yards and two touchdowns. In the backfield, running backs Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III rushed for 57 yards and crossed the goal line three times. At wide receiver, Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding led with 130 yards and a touchdown. Behind him, Chris Durr Jr. registered 103 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, linebackers Sidney Stewart and Carlton Smith recorded six tackles and Stewart earning a sack.

“There weren’t any adverse moments in our first football game. This is a whole different animal,” Head Coach Jason Candle said. “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.”

To kick off the game, UConn and Maryland traded end zone appearances. With just under five minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Connecticut struck first. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Terrapins punted from their 14-yard line. Wide receiver Julian Allen’s 18-yard return spotted the ball at Maryland’s 32-yard line, but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed it up to the 47-yard line.

Despite the loss of great field position, UConn still crossed the goal line in three plays. Osborne and Christian started the drive off for a combined 10-yard rush. At the 36-yard line, Osborne fired downfield and connected with Willoughby in the end zone.

In response, Washington advanced the field for the equalizer. Despite Maryland committing two false starts, the team still moved the chains. On third down at the Terrapins’ 40-yard line, Abdul-Rahim Gladding hauled in a 5-yard pass and advanced it for a 60-yard house call.

UConn’s defense kept Maryland quiet for almost the entire first quarter, but self-inflicted penalties hurt them. With 13 minutes left in the second period, Washington threw an incomplete pass to Abdul-Rahim Gladding. However, safety Saxton Suchanic committed pass interference, giving the offense the first down at Maryland’s 40-yard line. Two plays later, Durr Jr. notched a 24-yard catch, spotting the ball at the Huskies’ 42-yard line.

After inching their way down to the 19-yard line, Washington threw an incomplete pass to receiver Kaleb Webb. On the coverage, Paret committed pass interference, placing the ball at UConn’s 1-yard line. This allowed running back Dalton III to claim a 14-7 lead for Maryland.

Before going into halftime, the Terrapins ran down the clock and took a comfortable 17-7 advantage. In the final four minutes of the first half, Maryland received the ball at their own 6-yard line, but a 15-yard rush by Howard got them out of trouble. Washington then launched to receiver Dorian Fleming and Howard for a gain of 27 yards. With a 4-yard rush, Howard pushed the ball to Connecticut’s 1-yard line. On third-and-1, linebacker Luke Murphy stuffed Howard, preventing a touchdown and forcing them to kick a field goal.

Coming out of the break, Washington continued the squad’s offensive momentum. The sophomore passed to Webb for 30 yards and nailed Abdul-Rahim Gladding for another 14. At the Huskies’ 13-yard line, Howard finished the job and punched it in at the 1-yard line, extending their lead to 24-7.

On the next drive, Osborne closed the gap, making it a 10-point match. The gunslinger drilled Porter for a 20-yard catch, setting them up at the Terrapins’ 46-yard line. Not long after, Porter caught a 39-yard touchdown.

UConn’s comeback didn’t last long, as Washington hit Durr Jr. for 31 yards and passed to Abdul-Rahim Gladding for 24 yards. On Connecticut’s 22-yard line, receiver Ryan Manning hauled in a 16-yard catch, placing the ball at the 6-yard line for Dalton III to carry in. Heading into the fourth quarter, Tommy Warner punted to UConn’s 23-yard line, but an illegal formation moved it up five yards. To seal the deal, Durr Jr. secured a 13-yard passing touchdown.

Next up, the Huskies will face the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles for their first road game of the 2026 season.

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