Maryland snaps long losing streak with 34-29 win over Purdue

West Lafayette, IN—Zion Elee and Sydney Stewart sacked Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne as time expired as Maryland defeated Purdue 34-29 to snap its six-game losing streak and 13-game conference losing streak on Saturday afternoon at Ross-Aide Stadium.

“I’m just overjoyed for the kids, man. It’s all about them at the end of the day,” Abdul-Rahim said. “It’s been crazy the last two weeks, so I’m really happy that they can get some joy. You see it on their face.”

Aazaar Abdul-Rahim said after the game, after recording his first win as a collegiate head coach in his first road game, as he recently celebrated his 50th birthday.

Washington accounted for 285 total yards and four total touchdowns on Saturday, and he did so while wearing a protective brace on his knee, which his head coach greatly appreciated.

“That’s what we expect. He’s one of our leaders; he’s a team captain for a reason,” Abdul-Rahim said. “He laid it on the line for us today. He sacrificed his own health for us to be successful, and I’m just happy for him.”

Maryland won on the strength of its defense, which bent but didn’t break, forcing four Jacabo Echeverria-Lozano field goals in the first half. In contrast, Maryland struggled on offense for most of the first half before Malik Washington punched it in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter. Purdue had a chance to build momentum at the end of the first half when Trey Smith intercepted a pass off Washington, but Maryland got a stop with a sack from Elee to keep the score 12-7 at halftime.

Maryland got the offense going with a 44-yard touchdown reception from Washington to Naheem Addul-Rahim Gladding and a 1-yard touchdown dive by Washington to make it 21-12.

Xavier Townsend scored a 30-yard run to cut the lead to two late in the third quarter. Dajuan Williams responded with a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of Maryland’s final drive to put Maryland up 28-19.

Purdue answered with a 22-yard Echeverria-Lozano field goal to cap an 11-play, 69-yard drive and make it a one-score game.

Maryland answered with another one-play scoring drive when Chris Durr scored on an 87-yard catch-and-run to make the score 34-22.

Abdul-Rahim thought that he “looked tired, but he kept going.” In his post-game news conference.  He also let his guard down, adding, “I try to keep a stoic look on my face on the sideline, but internally I was excited.”

Durr recorded his 5th 100-yard game this season.

Purdue made one last charge when Fame Ijeboi scored on a two-yard run, got a stop, and got the ball to the Maryland 16-yard line, but they could not complete the comeback.

“Can’t play as good a defense as they did early on and then give up four explosive plays. Not going to win that way.” Purdue head coach Barry Odom told reporters after the game that the Boilermakers have dropped their fourth straight game.

As a result, both teams must win their remaining games to achieve bowl eligibility, as Maryland will host Wisconsin next Saturday, while Purdue will travel to Illinois.