Honestly, if you took a snapshot of the Maryland Terrapins back in late September, you’d have thought Mike Locksley finally cracked the code. They were 4-0. The md terps football score from that weekend in Madison was a shocking 27-10 win over Wisconsin. Fans were actually talking about a dark-horse run in the Big Ten.
Then the wheels didn't just fall off; they basically disintegrated.
Maryland finished the 2025 season with a 4-8 record. That is eight straight losses to end the year. For a team that looked so polished during the non-conference slate—beating FAU 39-7 and handling Northern Illinois—the collapse was jarring. They went from being the talk of the town to missing a bowl game entirely. By the time they hit the regular-season finale against Michigan State on November 29, the vibe had shifted from optimistic to "let's just get this over with."
The Final MD Terps Football Score of 2025
The season ended in Detroit at Ford Field. It was a 38-28 loss to Michigan State.
On paper, a ten-point loss doesn't look like a blowout, but it felt like a microcosm of the whole year. Malik Washington, the quarterback who showed flashes of brilliance early on, actually threw for a massive 459 yards in that game. He looked like an NFL prospect. But yardage doesn't always equal points. The Terps' defense, which had been sturdy in September, simply couldn't stop the run when it mattered most.
2025 Schedule and Results Breakdown
If you're looking for a specific md terps football score from the season, here is how the slide happened:
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- Aug 30: Maryland 39, FAU 7 (The "we're back" game)
- Sep 5: Maryland 20, NIU 9
- Sep 13: Maryland 44, Towson 17
- Sep 20: Maryland 27, Wisconsin 10 (The peak)
- Oct 4: Washington 24, Maryland 20
- Oct 11: Nebraska 34, Maryland 31
- Oct 18: UCLA 20, Maryland 17
- Nov 1: Indiana 55, Maryland 10 (The reality check)
- Nov 8: Rutgers 35, Maryland 20
- Nov 15: Illinois 24, Maryland 6
- Nov 22: Michigan 45, Maryland 20
- Nov 29: Michigan State 38, Maryland 28
That October stretch was brutal. Three games lost by a combined ten points. You've got to wonder how different this conversation would be if just one or two plays went the other way against Nebraska or UCLA. In those games, the md terps football score was decided in the final three minutes.
Why the Defense Crumbled
The shift in the scores wasn't just bad luck.
Ted Monachino, in his first year as defensive coordinator, ran a 3-4 base that worked wonders against lower-tier competition. But the Big Ten is a different beast. Once they hit the meat of the conference schedule, teams realized they could push the Terps around at the line of scrimmage.
Look at the Rutgers game on November 8. Rutgers isn't exactly known as an offensive powerhouse, yet they put up 35 points and controlled the clock for over 35 minutes. Maryland’s defenders were gassed. When your offense is built on a West Coast scheme—implemented by new OC Pep Hamilton—you need to stay on schedule. When the defense can't get off the field, the offense loses its rhythm. It's a domino effect.
Malik Washington and the Offensive Identity
Malik Washington finished the year with 2,963 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Those are solid numbers. He’s a guy who can make plays with his feet too, leading the team with 4 rushing touchdowns alongside DeJuan Williams.
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But the interceptions were the killer.
Nine picks might not sound like a lot over 12 games, but they always seemed to happen in the red zone or on 3rd-and-short. In the 24-20 loss to Washington, a late turnover basically handed the game over. It’s those specific moments that don't show up in a simple md terps football score but tell the real story of why they are sitting at home this January.
The Big Ten Landscape in 2026
As of January 15, 2026, the Big Ten is dominating the headlines, but Maryland is notably absent. Indiana is the story of the year, going 15-0 and heading to the National Championship against Ole Miss or Miami.
Seeing the Hoosiers—a team that beat Maryland 55-10—reach those heights is a bitter pill for the College Park faithful. It shows that it is possible to win big in this conference, but it requires a level of consistency that Maryland just hasn't found yet. While the basketball team is currently grinding through their own Big Ten schedule (recently losing 67-55 to UCLA), the football program is in a period of heavy reflection.
Moving Forward: What Fans Should Watch
Missing a bowl game for the first time in several years means the "Locksley Era" is under the microscope. The 4-8 record is the worst since the early days of his tenure.
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What's the fix? It starts with the transfer portal.
We already see some movement. With the 2026 portal tracker active, Maryland needs to find immediate help on the offensive line. They gave up too many sacks (27 on the year) and struggled to establish a consistent run game against the likes of Michigan and Indiana. If they can't protect the QB, the md terps football score will continue to look lopsided against the heavy hitters.
Actionable Insights for Terps Fans:
- Check the Transfer Portal: Watch for offensive line commits. This is the #1 priority for the staff right now.
- Spring Game Attendance: Keep an eye on the quarterback battle. While Malik Washington has the experience, Khristian Martin showed some life in limited snaps and might push for the starting job in 2026.
- Season Ticket Renewals: The athletic department is likely to offer incentives after a losing season; it’s a good time to look for deals if you’re a regular at SECU Stadium.
- Recruiting Rankings: Maryland currently sits in the middle of the Big Ten pack for the 2026 class. They need a "blue-chip" defensive tackle to anchor that 3-4 defense.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that ended in a ditch. But in college football, the turnaround can be fast if you hit on a few key transfers and find a way to win those close October games.