# Rutgers rallies from 10 down to beat Maryland 37-30

KJ Duff caught two touchdown passes, including a one-handed score, as the Scarlet Knights held on in College Park.

By The Signal Edition | Sports / College Football
Published: 2026-10-18T13:44:50.265Z
Updated: 2026-10-18T13:44:50.265Z
Canonical: https://www.thesignaledition.com/article/rutgers-maryland-37-30-0edf187
Image: https://www.thesignaledition.com/media/62d840f8565026096be661a21b8f4526.jpg (SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey, during a Rutgers football game; credit: ajay_suresh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0))

## Summary
- Rutgers defeated Maryland 37-30.
- KJ Duff caught two touchdown passes.
- The Scarlet Knights erased a 10-point deficit.

## Rutgers complete the comeback

Rutgers beat Maryland 37-30 in College Park after falling behind by 10 points. The Scarlet Knights produced their strongest offensive stretch when the game demanded it and protected the lead during Maryland’s final possessions. The victory ended a difficult opening part of the season and gave Rutgers its first Big Ten win. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAF_20261017_RUT%40MD/) [2](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401858489/rutgers-maryland)

## Duff supplies the highlights

KJ Duff caught two touchdown passes, one on a one-handed reception that became the defining play of the afternoon. Rutgers used those explosive completions to shift a game that Maryland had controlled earlier. The Scarlet Knights also avoided the late turnover that would have given the Terrapins a short-field chance to force overtime. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAF_20261017_RUT%40MD/) [2](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401858489/rutgers-maryland)

## Maryland’s slide continues

Maryland scored 30 points but could not hold the lead or make enough defensive stops after Rutgers gained momentum. The Terrapins entered on a four-game losing streak and remained winless in conference play after the defeat. Rutgers improved to 2-5, a modest record change but an important result for a team needing evidence that close games can turn. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAF_20261017_RUT%40MD/) [2](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401858489/rutgers-maryland)

## What to watch next

The result and statistics in this report were checked against the listed official or major-news coverage. Rankings, availability, kickoff times and roster roles can change after publication, so the next confirmed update should come from the league, competition or team. The immediate significance is based on the completed event, while any longer-term effect on standings or selection remains dependent on later results. Video clips and fan accounts can add context, but they do not replace the official score, disciplinary record or medical update. Any correction should be anchored to those primary records. [1](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAF_20261017_RUT%40MD/) [2](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401858489/rutgers-maryland)

## Reporting sources
1. [CBS Sports: Rutgers rallies to hold off Maryland 37-30](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/gametracker/boxscore/NCAAF_20261017_RUT%40MD/) (October 17, 2026)
2. [ESPN: Rutgers 37-30 Maryland final score](https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401858489/rutgers-maryland) (October 17, 2026)