'Same Old Maryland' Football Struggles Persist After Another Loss

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

Maryland's football team suffered a 48-23 loss to Nebraska, extending their Big Ten winless streak to 379 days. Despite returning key players and the coach's calls for hard work, ongoing struggles and turnovers raise doubts about the program's ability to reverse its downward trend.

Maryland's football program continues to struggle more than a year after a significant late-season collapse sparked concerns about the team’s direction. Following Saturday’s 48-23 loss at Nebraska, the Terps remain winless in Big Ten play, extending a drought that has now lasted 379 days.

This defeat mirrored a familiar pattern for the program. Exactly one year ago, Maryland relinquished a 20-point lead in its Big Ten home opener against Washington, falling 24-20 and setting off an eight-game losing streak to close the 2025 season. The following week, the Terps again lost a close game to Nebraska, blowing a late lead and falling 34-31 at home. In the aftermath of that game, head coach Michael Locksley insisted the team’s performance did not reflect “the same old Maryland,” signaling optimism for change despite the results.

However, the challenges have persisted. Since Locksley’s remarks last season, Maryland has compiled a 2-9 record, with its only victories coming against non-Power Four opponents Hampton and Connecticut. The lack of progress raises questions about the team’s development, particularly given the return of key players, including sophomore quarterback Malik Washington.

Locksley entered the 2026 season emphasizing a commitment to hard work over talk, stating at fall media day that the team needed to let “our work be louder than our words.” Despite his confidence, he avoided defining specific benchmarks for success, inviting observers to evaluate the results as the season progressed. Through five games, the outcomes remain disappointing.

Washington, who was expected to lead the offense effectively in his second year, has struggled, throwing six interceptions over the past two weeks, including three returned for touchdowns. These turnovers have contributed significantly to Maryland’s difficulties in closing competitive games.

The Terps face an uphill battle as they prepare for an upcoming matchup against Ohio State, another formidable Big Ten opponent. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Maryland can break its long winless streak in conference play or if the program will continue to grapple with recurring issues on the field.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.