In 2025, Maryland football averaged 104.3 rushing yards per game and knew it needed to improve.

Through two games in 2026, that improvement was noticeable, with the Terps averaging 245 rushing yards per game. On top of that, the Terps scored nine rushing touchdowns over those two games.

However, against Virginia Tech, Maryland’s run game regressed heavily, ultimately leading to the disappointing 35-26 loss. 

The Terps amassed just 64 rushing yards on Saturday night.

“This game also shows the importance of establishing the run, and stopping the run” head coach Michael Locksley said. “Those are two things that we emphasize from the time we got back together in January.”

The Terps averaged just three yards per carry, with their longest run of the night going for just 15 yards. 

That run belonged to quarterback Malik Washington, who carried the offense all of Saturday.

One reason for this was the absence of DeJuan Williams. 

Williams was primed to play a big role after taking over full-time starting duties in 2026. However, he injured his knee in week one and is expected to miss at least a month. His 94-yard touchdown run to open the season remains one of the Terps’ top plays so far. 

Without Williams, Maryland needed its other running backs to replace that production.

They struggled to do so.

Iverson Howard, who started for the Terps, struggled to get anything going, recording just 22 yards on 11 carries. He did score from one yard out, but Maryland needed multiple attempts near the goal line before Howard finally broke through. 

The leading rusher was Harry Dalton III. He was efficient in limited attempts, which could earn him more opportunities in the future. 

Washington said Maryland’s rushing issues were not the result of one player of position group.

“When it comes to the run game, it’s about angles, double teams, hand placement, all that stuff,” Washington said. “There were opportunities there for some plays to be made. Some execution could have been better on everybody’s part.”

Another reason the Terps’ ground game struggled was that they rarely had the ball. Virginia Tech controlled the ball for the majority of the game, dominating time of possession, 36:38-to-23:22. 

The Hokies consistently extended drives, including an 8-of-9 stretch on third down during the first half. That kept Maryland from establishing much offensive rhythm and limited its opportunities to stick with the ground game. 

Maryland’s own offensive success occasionally contributed to the imbalance.

Washington completed 30-of-43 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns, carrying the Terps offense for most of the day. But Maryland became increasingly reliant on Washington because its running backs could not consistently generate yardage.

Locksley stressed that the running game and passing game have to complement one another. Saturday showed what happens when that balance disappears.

“The quarterback’s best friend is his ability to have the run game complement him,” Locksley said.

If Maryland’s rushing attack can’t improve, the Terps may find it much harder to keep their offense balanced once Big Ten play begins.