Rutgers beats Maryland 37-30 for first Big Ten win of season
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The gist
Rutgers beat Maryland 37-30 for its first Big Ten win of the season, behind QB Dylan Lonergan's 291 yards.
The Scarlet Knights next face No. 24 Northwestern, a ranked team they haven't beaten since 2009.
Background
Rutgers is the Scarlet Knights football team, coached by Greg Schiano. Quarterback Dylan Lonergan, a Boston College transfer, threw five interceptions in his first two games this season but passed for a season-high 291 yards and three touchdowns at Maryland. Wide receiver KJ Duff ranks third nationally with nine receiving touchdowns and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week after the win. The victory was Rutgers' first Big Ten win of the season and its third straight over the Terrapins, a first for the Scarlet Knights in the series.
How it unfolded
- Sep 3, 2026Rutgers opened its season against Massachusetts in Piscataway, New Jersey, with KJ Duff scoring the first touchdown of the season.
- Sep 19, 2026Rutgers lost 42-35 to USC.
- Sep 25, 2026Rutgers beat Howard 58-7.
- Oct 3, 2026Rutgers lost 47-15 to Indiana.
- Oct 16, 2026KJ Duff Jr. was named to the AP Midseason All-America Team.
- Oct 17, 2026Rutgers (2-4, 1-2) beat Maryland (2-5, 0-4) 37-30 at SECU Stadium in College Park, Md.; Lonergan passed for a season-high 291 yards and three touchdowns, Duff had nine catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns, and RB Clay Thevenin rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown.
- Oct 17, 2026Rutgers trailed 23-13 at halftime, then scored 24 unanswered points in the second half; Maryland scored with 2:17 remaining, but the Rutgers defense forced a turnover on downs to seal the win.
- Oct 19, 2026KJ Duff Jr. was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week; Rutgers also announced its Oct. 31 home game against Michigan will kick off at 12:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
- Oct 24, 2026Rutgers is scheduled to play at No. 24/23 Northwestern at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill., at noon ET on Peacock.
Who’s saying what
- Party
- Rutgers QB Dylan Lonergan said he felt comfortable and bounced back well from his interception, adding he was confident in everybody to make plays as the ball was spread around.
- Caution
- Northwestern head coach David Braun said his team is humble and hungry but not a finished product, and that he truly believes it can beat anyone in the country.