Maryland Beats Purdue 34-29 With a 21-Point Third Quarter, Giving Aazaar Abdul-Rahim His First Win as Interim Coach

Maryland beat Purdue 34-29 on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Terrapins trailed 12-7 at halftime and took over with 21 points in the third quarter.

It was the first win for interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and Maryland’s first Big Ten win of the season. The AP said the victory snapped long losing streaks for the Terps. Both teams are now 3-6. Maryland is 1-5 in the Big Ten and Purdue is 2-4, according to Maryland Athletics.

Purdue kicks, Maryland finds the end zone

Purdue moved the ball well in the first half but kept stalling near the goal line. Kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano made four first-half field goals, from 47, 26, 24 and 36 yards.

Maryland’s only first-half score came on a quick three-play, 46-yard drive. Malik Washington found Chris Durr Jr. for 31 yards and then ran in a 15-yard touchdown.

The 21-point third quarter

Washington hit Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding for a 44-yard touchdown to give Maryland its first lead, 14-12. Maryland Athletics said the catch put Abdul-Rahim Gladding over 1,000 career receiving yards.

Next, Lavain Scruggs strip-sacked Purdue’s quarterback, and Daniel Wingate returned the fumble to the 2-yard line. Washington scored from 1 yard out to make it 21-12.

Purdue answered with a 30-yard touchdown run by Xavier Townsend. On the very next play, DeJuan Williams broke a 75-yard touchdown run, and Maryland took a 28-19 lead into the fourth quarter.

Durr’s 87-yard score and a late stand

Maryland’s defense held at the goal line early in the fourth, forcing Purdue to settle for a 22-yard field goal (28-22). Durr then took a short pass 87 yards for a touchdown with 9:13 left. Maryland Athletics said it was the program’s longest pass play since 2016.

Purdue pulled within five on a 2-yard touchdown run by Fame Ijeboi with 3:50 left, at the end of a 13-play, 75-yard drive. Maryland ended it on the final play, when Sidney Stewart and Zion Elee sacked Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne.

Washington climbs Maryland’s record books

Maryland Athletics said Washington became the first Maryland quarterback with multiple rushing touchdowns in a game since 2023, giving him four rushing scores in four weeks. His 253 passing yards pushed him past 5,000 for his career, which ranks eighth in program history. He now has 28 career touchdown passes, tied with Sam Hollenbach for ninth.

Key numbers

• Malik Washington: 13-of-18 passing for 253 yards with two TDs and one interception, plus two rushing TDs
• Chris Durr Jr.: 4 catches for 127 yards and a TD
• Maryland defense: 7 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Maryland Athletics said the 13 TFLs were the program’s most ever in a Big Ten game.
• Zion Elee: 2.5 sacks
• Nahsir Taylor: a career-high 11 tackles
• Total yards: Purdue 425, Maryland 390. Purdue had the ball for 35:56 to Maryland’s 24:04.

Maryland also had 107 penalty yards to Purdue’s 10. “We have to do better with some of the personal fouls, but we’ll fix it,” Abdul-Rahim said, according to Maryland Athletics.

What the coach said

“We doubled down on our process, and this win is reflective of that,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I’m happy for the fanbase. They’ve been starving for a Big Ten win.”

He also praised his defense: “It was a little bit of bend and not break, but they played their best football when it mattered.”

What’s next

Maryland hosts Wisconsin on Nov. 14 at noon ET on FS1. Maryland now leads the all-time series with Purdue 3-2.

FAQ