Overview
- Virginia Tech beat Maryland 35-26 at SECU Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, snapping the Terrapins’ nation-leading 20-game streak against nonconference opponents.
- The loss dropped Mike Locksley to 1-7 against James Franklin as head coaches, extending a lopsided rivalry that includes a tense postgame exchange after Penn State’s 44-7 win in 2024.
- Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer completed 31 of 39 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns while tight end Luke Reynolds caught 12 passes for 107 yards and a score, and both players followed Franklin from Penn State.
- Maryland’s Malik Washington threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns but the Terps’ run game and defense failed to slow a Hokies attack that converted 10 of 15 third downs.
- A viral pregame Zoom clip of Franklin repeatedly saying “Hey Michael” to Baltimore Sun reporter Michael Howes was displayed on Maryland’s video board and became a visible media-side subplot to the game.