WASHINGTON STORMS BACK TO STUN MARYLAND AFTER HEROIC COMEBACK
Updated: Oct 31
COLLEGE PARK, Md. — No one could have seen this coming. Trailing 20–0 midway through the third quarter, unable to generate offense and physically dominated, the Huskies seemed headed for a quiet afternoon. But under the leadership of a transformed Demond Williams Jr. and a resurgent defense, Washington pulled off a comeback for the ages, defeating Maryland 24–20 at SECU Stadium.A gutsy win — their first road victory since joining the Big Ten.
A sluggish start
The tone was set early: an interception on the opening drive, repeated penalties, and a passing game completely out of sync. Meanwhile, Maryland dictated the tempo.Quarterback Malik Washington led the Terrapins with poise, engineering two long drives capped by a Sean O’Haire field goal and a four-yard touchdown run to make it 10–0.
Washington, lacking rhythm or execution, piled up mental and technical mistakes. The defense failed to get off the field on third downs, and the Huskies went into halftime down 13–0 with no real spark.
The storm before the surge
Things got worse right after the break. The Terrapins opened the second half with another touchdown — a two-yard pass from Malik Washington to A.J. Szymanski — extending their lead to 20–0.The crowd at College Park (46,185 fans) could sense a perfect day ahead; Maryland hadn’t trailed all season.
But that would be their last moment of celebration.
The Huskies wake up
Everything turned on a 16-play drive. Washington finally found some rhythm, marching down the field before settling for a 36-yard field goal from Grady Gross (20–3).It was only a spark — but it was enough.
From that point on, the defense took over. Led by Alex McLaughlin (9 tackles) and Ephesians Prysock, the Huskies completely suffocated Maryland’s offense, which managed just 52 yards on its final four possessions. Meanwhile, the Washington offense came alive, scoring touchdowns on its next three drives.
The Demond Williams Jr. show
After a rocky first half, the young quarterback found his rhythm and confidence.Williams Jr. (28/41, 275 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) first connected with Denzel Boston on a three-yard pass to get Washington on the board (20–10).A few minutes later, he fired a 34-yard strike to Dezmen Roebuck, cutting the deficit to three (20–17).Suddenly, everything felt possible.
The offense was rolling — crisp passes, cleaner blocking, and a renewed ground attack that began to wear down the Terrapins’ front.Running back Jonah Coleman, limited to just 57 yards (3.2 per carry), was about to deliver the defining moment.
The comeback completed
With less than five minutes remaining, Washington took over from its own 20-yard line.An 80-yard march, executed with precision: completions to Boston and Roebuck, powerful runs from Coleman, and perfect poise from Williams on third downs.With 3:21 left, Coleman plunged into the end zone from one yard out — giving the Huskies their first lead of the day at 24–20.The Washington sideline erupted.
Defense seals it
The final word belonged to the defense. Maryland drove to the Washington 30-yard line, but on fourth down, Ephesians Prysock broke up Malik Washington’s pass to end the Terrapins’ hopes.No panic, no mistakes — just resilience. Washington had just completed the biggest comeback of the Jedd Fisch era.
A turning point for the season
After a tough home loss to Ohio State, this cross-country trip was a true test — and the Huskies passed it with conviction. They showed renewed toughness, unity, and belief. Now
4–1 (1–1 Big Ten), Washington heads home to face Rutgers next Friday night, with momentum and confidence fully restored.A foundational win — one that may define the identity of a program learning how to win away from home.
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