COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Maryland found itself in a hole early Saturday, fought its way back into the game, but could never quite complete the comeback.
Virginia Tech remained unbeaten by defeating Maryland 35-26 in the first Power 5 matchup of the season for both teams. The Hokies improved to 3-0, while the Terrapins dropped to 2-1.
Virginia Tech controlled the game early, using long scoring drives to build a 13-0 advantage before Maryland finally found its footing offensively.
The Hokies opened the game with a 13-play, 75-yard drive that consumed 6:45 off the clock. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer finished the possession by finding tight end Luke Reynolds for a 14-yard touchdown.
John Love’s extra point was good, giving Virginia Tech an early 7-0 lead.
Maryland’s opening possession ended in a punt, and the Hokies went right back to work.
Virginia Tech put together another sustained march, this one stretching 5:49 and carrying into the second quarter. Grunkemeyer capped the drive himself, scrambling 18 yards for a touchdown.
Love’s extra-point attempt was blocked by Maryland, keeping the deficit at 13-0.
The Terrapins finally answered on their next possession.
Maryland needed just 2:20 to travel down the field, and running back Iverson Howard finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Sean O’Haire’s extra point cut Virginia Tech’s lead to 13-7.
The Hokies, however, immediately showed that they could score quickly as well as control the clock.
Grunkemeyer engineered a seven-play, 75-yard drive that took only 3:17. The big play came when he connected with running back Jeffrey Overton Jr. for a 49-yard touchdown.
Love’s extra point restored Virginia Tech’s two-score advantage at 20-7.
After both teams exchanged punts, Maryland mounted another scoring drive.
Quarterback Malik Washington moved the Terrapins 67 yards in five plays, and the drive ended when he found wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. for a 12-yard touchdown.
O’Haire’s extra point made it 20-14.
Maryland appeared to be gaining momentum, but Virginia Tech’s two-minute offense delivered another response.
With 2:11 remaining in the half, the Hokies began another scoring possession. Grunkemeyer continued to move the ball efficiently, and with just 16 seconds remaining, he connected with tight end Ja’Ricous Hairston for a 2-yard touchdown.
Love’s extra point pushed the lead back to 27-14.
Maryland’s final attempt before halftime was stopped by the Virginia Tech defense, sending the Terrapins into the locker room trailing by 13.
Virginia Tech continued to control the momentum after halftime.
Maryland’s opening possession of the third quarter stalled, and the Hokies responded with an 11-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 6:12.
Overton Jr. finished the march with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Virginia Tech elected to go for two, and Grunkemeyer’s pass found wide receiver Que’Sean Brown in the end zone.
The successful conversion extended the Hokies’ advantage to 35-14.
Maryland struggled to answer immediately, turning the ball over on downs on its next possession.
Virginia Tech then stalled on its following drive and punted, but the Terrapins were unable to take advantage before the third quarter ended.
The Hokies carried a 35-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
Maryland refused to go quietly.
Washington orchestrated a 13-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 5:07 and brought the Terrapins back within striking distance.
The quarterback finished the possession by connecting with tight end Dorian Fleming for a 2-yard touchdown.
Maryland attempted a two-point conversion, but the pass fell incomplete, leaving Virginia Tech ahead 35-20.
The Terrapins’ defense then forced a Virginia Tech punt, giving Maryland another opportunity.
This time, Washington led an efficient nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that took only 3:19 off the clock.
Washington capped the possession with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Durr Jr., giving the receiver his second touchdown of the game.
Again, Maryland went for two.
Again, the conversion failed.
Still, the Terrapins had cut the deficit to 35-26 with four minutes remaining.
Maryland attempted an onside kick, hoping to give the offense one final opportunity.
Virginia Tech recovered.
From there, the Hokies relied on their ground game and clock management, converting multiple first downs and keeping the ball away from Maryland until the final seconds.
The comeback attempt had officially run out of time.
Virginia Tech’s offense produced when it needed to, while Maryland’s slow start and two failed two-point conversions kept the Terrapins from getting all the way back into the game.
Grunkemeyer proved to be the difference-maker for the Hokies, contributing through the air and on the ground while directing multiple long scoring drives.
Overton Jr. also played a major role, scoring twice — once as a receiver and once on the ground.
For Maryland, Washington provided the spark in the second half, leading two fourth-quarter touchdown drives and connecting with Durr Jr. twice for scores.
But Virginia Tech’s early advantage proved too much to overcome.
The Terrapins will look to bounce back next week when they return home to face UCLA.
Virginia Tech, meanwhile, will hit the road again, traveling to face Boston College, which enters the matchup at 2-1.
