Illinois wins on last-second kick, dropping Maryland to 2-6

Maryland football has entered a critical phase of the 2026 season following a narrow defeat to Illinois on Saturday at SECU Stadium in College Park.

The Terps lost 20-17 in the first game under interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim. This result marks Maryland's sixth consecutive loss and extends their Big Ten record to 0-5. The loss leaves the team at 2-6 on the season, a position that requires a perfect performance in the final four games to secure bowl eligibility.

The contest remained competitive for three quarters. Maryland took an early lead after Messiah Delhomme intercepted Illinois quarterback Katin Houser on the opening drive and returned the ball 43 yards. Quarterback Malik Washington capitalized on the momentum, scoring on an 8-yard rush in the first quarter. Illinois tied the score at 7-7 with 27 seconds remaining in the first half when Houser connected with Brayden Trimble for a 16-yard touchdown.

DeJuan Williams gave Maryland the lead early in the third quarter with an 18-yard rushing touchdown. Illinois responded with a 45-yard field goal from Ethan Moczulski. The Illini then seized the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Javari Barnett ran 64 yards for a score. Washington tied the game at 17-17 with a 46-yard field goal with 10:16 remaining on the clock.

No further points were scored until the final minute. Illinois drove into range, and Moczulski kicked a 26-yard field goal with two seconds left to seal the victory. The result gives Illinois a 5-3 record.

Washington completed 19 of 29 passes for 190 yards and threw one interception. Williams carried the ball 19 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. Chris Durr Jr. recorded six receptions for 58 yards. For Illinois, Houser passed for 223 yards, Collin Dixon caught six balls for 103 yards, and Barnett rushed for 80 yards on six carries.

Attendance at the noon kickoff was a visible factor in the day's atmosphere. Media reports described the stadium as remarkably sparse, with large sections of the lower bowl and one upper-deck sideline empty. The game fell on Halloween, during a coaching transition, and after a five-game losing streak. The university attempted to keep students in the stands by offering a raffle for free in-state tuition for the spring 2027 semester, valued at $5,507.50, to a student who remained until the fourth quarter.

Abdul-Rahim, who served as Locksley's co-defensive coordinator, will lead the team for the remainder of the season. Athletic Director Jim Smith has stated that the school is conducting a confidential national search for a permanent head coach. No timeline for the hire has been announced.

The Terps must now win all four remaining games to reach the six-win mark generally required for bowl eligibility. Two of those four games are on the road.