Virginia slips at Maryland, fall to 0-3 for first time since 2016

But on this throw, Virginia’s rookie signal-caller didn’t have the space to clear Maryland’s defense to find Washington streaking across the end zone.

Instead, Colandrea’s pass was intercepted by Terrapins defensive back Tarheeb Still and the Cavaliers’ hopes of a comeback were dashed early during the fourth quarter in their 42-14 loss on Friday night at SECU Stadium.

It marked the sixth straight loss for the Hoos dating back to last season and their first 0-3 start since 2016. The meeting with Maryland was also the first one since both schools resided in the ACC in 2013.

But trailing, 21-14 after the Terrapins rattled off three straight touchdowns to jump in front of the Cavaliers, Colandrea provided optimism they could stay even the bout up when he took off on a third-and-12 for 13 yards late in the third quarter to extend a drive. A Maryland penalty tacked on 15 yards to the run to push UVa into Terrapins’ territory.

And later in the series, with Washington’s help, Colandrea was able to convert another third-and-long to give the Hoos a chance to tie the score up. Washington turned a routine reception on third-and-23 into a 25-yard gain by sprinting past the Maryland defense to end the third quarter.

Colandrea and Washington connected nine times for 141 yards in the contest, but the 25-yard play was the last successful one in meaningful action on Friday.

Three plays into the fourth quarter, Colandrea threw his first of three fourth-quarter interceptions, and after each turnover, Maryland took advantage. The Terrapins tallied three rushing touchdowns in the final stanza — one for Roman Hemby, one for Antwain Littleton II and one for Colby McDonald — to make the score lopsided after three competitive quarters and a game in which Maryland needed to overcome a sluggish start.

Behind Colandrea, the Cavaliers scored on their first pair of possessions to build a 14-0 advantage.

His first pass, thrown off a flea flicker, went to Washington to 49 yards to prove last week’s three long pass plays of 60 yards or more against James Madison were no fluke.

Two snaps later, running back Perris Jones took a carry for 13 yards past the goal line into the turf filled with the colors of Maryland’s state flag for the game’s first points.

The next UVa possession ended with Colandrea rolling to his left behind the line of scrimmage and toward the line only for the right-handed thrower to fire across his body to find running back Kobe Pace, who was wide open on the other side of the field after slipping out of the backfield. It was a 19-yard touchdown and two-score advantage while marking the second straight contest Colandrea has thrown to Pace for a touchdown.

But the ensuing kickoff was returned for a 98-yard touchdown by a touchdown for the Terrapins by Braedan Wisloski to cut UVa’s lead in half with 4:03 left in the first quarter. And a 14-play, 97-yard drive for Maryland capped by Hemby’s first rushing touchdown in the second quarter evened the score heading into the locker room.