Virginia Tech-Maryland: A Short History of a Strange Series

There is plenty of energy surrounding this weekend’s matchup between Maryland and Virginia Tech. Understandable because of the James Franklin connection and the significant DMV overlap between the two fan bases. It’s also understandable given the significant change in the air in Blacksburg.

But there is something else that makes this matchup interesting.

Virginia Tech and Maryland feel like two schools that should know each other a lot better than they do.

Saturday will be the 33rd meeting between the Hokies and Terrapins, but the history is strangely disjointed for two programs separated by just a few hours.

The schools played 24 times in the first half of the 20th century, mostly as fellow members of the Southern Conference. When Maryland left to help form the ACC, the series was mothballed for 40 years. Since 1990, they’ve played only eight times (results in the table below). Five of those meetings came as ACC matchups before Maryland yet again found another home, this time in the Big Ten.

And the only meeting between these teams in the past 13 years was the Pinstripe Bowl in 2021, a laughable contest on many levels that will never be mentioned here again.

So no, Virginia Tech-Maryland never really had a chance in any of our lifetimes to become the rivalry it could have. Nevertheless, it’s had its moments. Let’s remember a few of them.

September 25, 1993: Virginia Tech 55, Maryland 28

On a soggy September day in Blacksburg, Maryland’s Scott Milanovich threw for 498 yards, tallied 516 yards of total offense, gave three Terp receivers 100-yard days (all records to this day)…and lost by four touchdowns.

Unfortunately for the Terps, Milanovich also threw three picks and the Maryland defense had no answer for Virginia Tech’s ground game. The Hokies ran 62 times for 385 yards, 144 coming from “Touchdown” Tommy Edwards (who scored twice). Maurice DeShazo completed 10 of his 16 passes for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Antonio Freeman led the Hokies with 122 yards and a pair of scores.

 Did you know? Milanovich is now the head coach of the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

November 18, 2004: Virginia Tech 55, Maryland 6

During the Hokies’ inaugural season in the ACC, they invited Maryland to Blacksburg for their first-ever game in Lane Stadium and steamrolled them en route to winning the ACC championship. 

Maryland got the ball 13 times in the game. Those drives ended with six punts, four interceptions, a fumble and two field goals. In addition to the four picks, the Hokies’ defense tallied 11 tackles for loss. Cedric Humes led a balanced rushing attack for Tech, while Bryan Randall found tight ends Jeff King and Jared Mazzetta for a pair of scores through the air.

Did you know? The Hokies ranked 2nd in the country in scoring defense in 2004, just behind Auburn, whom they faced in the Sugar Bowl that year. 

Cedric Humes rambles through the Terrapin secondary in the 2004 victory. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

 October 20, 2005: Virginia Tech 28, Maryland 9

The Hokies went to College Park, nearly doubled up Maryland in total yards and picked up a Thursday night win 28-9 in workmanlike fashion. Marcus Vick shook off three interceptions and accounted for 344 yards of offense as Tech moved to 7-0 on the season.

 Did you know? Vick’s 133 yards rushing in this game was his career high, and the only time he had more than 75 yards on the ground.

Marcus Vick launches his way to a career rushing night in 2005. (Photo Courtesy: Chris Gardner, Associated Press)

2005 Game Highlights

November 6, 2008: Virginia Tech 23, Maryland 13

This will always be known as “The Darren Evans Game.” The freshman running back from Indianapolis ran for 253 yards in the game, a school record that stood for 16 years until Bhayshul Tuten broke it against Boston College. His fourth quarter truck stick of Terrell Skinner in the fourth quarter is still a YouTube favorite. On yet another Thursday night, the Hokies prevailed 23-13.

 Did you know? The 200-yard rushing mark has been eclipsed eight times in Tech history: Tuten, Evans, Kevin Jones, Mike Imoh, Michael Vick, Khalil Herbert and Brandon Ore (twice, in back-to-back games five days apart).

Darren Evans had a record-setting night in Blacksburg against Maryland in 2008. (Photo Courtesy: HokieSports.com)

 2008 Darren Evans Highlights

November 14, 2009: Virginia Tech 36, Maryland 9

This game was never in doubt as the Hokies built a 33-3 lead before Maryland picked up a score when Tyrod Taylor was sacked and fumbled in the end zone. It was the only real blemish on Taylor’s night, as he threw for 268 yards and ran for another 81. Ryan Williams ran 23 times for 126 yards. The defense had six sacks and 10 tackles for loss.

 Did you know? Taylor’s 349 total yards in this game were the most in his 49-game Virginia Tech career.

Tyrod Taylor had a career-day against Maryland in 2009. (Photo Courtesy: Rob Carr, Associated Press)

2009 Game Highlights

 There are plenty of storylines in this week’s matchup. Both teams bring significant out-of-conference streaks into the game: Tech’s futility against non-conference P4 foes on the road and Maryland’s 20-game non-conference winning streak. Of course, there’s the Franklin angle. And then there’s the state of each program and their trajectory for the remainder of the season.

For a series that has spent most of the modern era dormant, Virginia Tech-Maryland has still managed to produce its share of memorable performances.

Maybe Saturday gives us another one.

Drive safe, y’all.