Maryland football blew a 20-point lead third quarter to Washington on Saturday.

The Terps were in control for most of the game, but the Huskies surged back to win, 24-20.

Here are three takeaways from Maryland’s first loss of the 2025 season.

Sidney Stewart’s ejection hurt Maryland’s defense.

In a play that looked to end the first half, Maryland’s defensive line sacked Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., but a late hit caused controversy.

After review, it was determined that freshman standout Sidney Stewart targeted Williams and would be disqualified from the game. 

On an initial look, it looked to be a hit by either Zahir Mathis or Stewart that could be called for some type of late or ‘dirty’ hit on Washington’s quarterback. 

It didn’t seem to have much impact on the Terps at the end of the first half, but Stewart’s absence was notable throughout the second half.

Head coach Michael Locksley has reiterated throughout the season that Maryland has lacked depth, especially on the defensive line. That has been part of the reason that two freshmen have been Maryland’s biggest standouts. Without one of Maryland’s freshmen defensive line duo, the Terps’ defense allowed 24 unanswered points.

“I’ve talked all year long about not having great depth and when you lose three people at the outside linebacker position, against a dynamic quarterback like the quarterback we had and some of those misses were self inflicted by us,” Locksley said. We had chances to take care of it on the field.”

It was a complete meltdown from Maryland’s defense that was so strong in the first half. The Terps didn’t allow Washington to gain any momentum and completely neutralized Demond Williams Jr. 

After the ejection, there wasn’t a single drive where Washington didn’t score, besides when they iced the game. 

“It was a big impact, for sure. Sidney Stewart is a great player that contributes to our D-line,” Daniel Wingate said. “But we need to have a next man mentality. The next man needs to step up.”

The lack of depth was evident and Maryland’s defense was tired. The change in Maryland’s defense between each half was evident and Stewart’s absence proved to be crucial. 

Stewart will be able to return for Maryland’s next game because Stewart was called for targeting in the first half. 

Maryland had a second-half meltdown.

Midway through the third quarter, Maryland was in control.

Up by 20, the Terps looked to be en route to their second 5-0 start since 2001.

But that wasn’t the case on Saturday. A meltdown that was impressively disappointing for even Maryland. Under Locksley, the Terps have had some bad losses in important games. But Saturday was a new level of disappointment. 

“We’re defined in the present. I won’t get into this year’s teams can’t be like any other team that you compare to, because it’s this year’s team,” Locksley said.

The entire team fell flat in the second half and couldn’t make enough in-game adjustments to stop it. 

After blowing the lead, Maryland had a chance with ample time to go back down the field and score to save the game. 

Maryland had a chance as a third-down throw from Malik Washington fell into the hands of Jalil Farooq. It hit his hands and fell to the ground — he dropped it. Maryland’s fourth-down attempt was essentially intercepted, but intentionally dropped by the defense. 

“Nine times out of 10, Jalil [Farooq] is going to make that play,” Locksley said. “I’m going to bet on Jalil Farooq making the play. It doesn’t come down to that.”

But Farooq’s drop wasn’t the reason Maryland lost. With the exception of the opening drive of the second half, the Terps fell flat. 

Maryland thought it could play conservatively and salt the game away and it simply didn’t happen. 

An inexcusable loss for a program that was in desperate need of a standout win. 

“What we learned today as a team, is you have to put people away,” Locksley said. “Especially good teams like Washington and when we have them here at home.” 

Maryland’s second half play calling was questionable.

Maryland’s offensive play-calling in the second half didn’t allow the Terps to punch back after Washington found its footing. 

Maryland played conservatively, but refused the run the ball. 

“We’re an RPO system, we still have run pass options where today, what Malik faced was, at the end, they mixed between cover two and man,” Locksley said. “We got into getting cover two, we need to run it. If they’re playing man, we’ve got to create and win one-on-one battles, which today, we didn’t win enough of them.”

The Terps had constant short throws to the flat that went nowhere. Washington, Maryland’s quarterback, didn’t take a shot downfield until it was too late.

The Terps didn’t want to risk a turnover like the interception its quarterback threw early on, which was easily his worst throw of the season. But as a result, it cost Maryland the game. 

Maryland had two three-and-outs and then another drive resulted in a punt. The Terps wasted less than six minutes of gametime, which wasn’t enough as Washington surged. 

Maryland shied away from the run, yet threw short passes that were easily swallowed up by Washington’s defense. It was a recipe for three-and-outs.

Maryland’s offense scored 20 unanswered to start the game, it was thriving. Washington was spreading out his offense to many receivers, but didn’t have the type of shots that he took in previous games and it hurt. 

Maryland had three good offensive drives and was incapable of gaining any other momentum otherwise. Washington was 30-of-49 for 219 yards, one passing and rushing touchdown respectively. Despite all of its attempts to throw the ball, the diversity of throws was lacking. 

“I would say this because he didn’t play his best game today. Obviously, quarterbacks like head coaches and judged on winning and we didn’t win,” Locksley said. “These are the things that I know Malik Washington will put into his tool box.”

Maryland’s offensive flaws with a freshman quarterback became evident on Saturday.