Courtesy Jenna Truong

The Virginia Cavaliers dropped their fifth straight game of the season on Saturday, losing 27-20 to Maryland (4-2, 2-0) on Homecomings weekend in Charlottesville.

The Terrapins wasted no time getting themselves on the board.  On the opening kick, freshman wide receiver Stefon Diggs returned the ball 100 yards to give Maryland a 7-0 lead. Virginia (2-5, 0-3) continued to struggle through first quarter allowing a 20-yard touchdown catch by sophomore running back Justus Pickett and a 33-yard field goal by freshman kicker Brad Craddock to increase the Terp’s lead 17-0.

Virginia quarterback Phillip Sims connected with sophomore fullback Zachary Swanson on a 36-yard pass giving the Hoos a first down at the Maryland 22-yard line at the close of the first quarter. Cavalier Drew Jarrett had his line-drive field goal attempt blocked and was replaced by Ian Frye. On his first career try, Frye cut the lead to 17-3 going into the half.

The Cavaliers managed to hold Maryland scoreless in the third quarter. Luck was on their side as Maryland’s wide-open Matt Furstenburg dropped a pass and Craddock’s field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. With less than 3 minutes remaining in the quarter, Sims found junior wide receiver EJ Scott in the back right corner of the end zone to score Virginia’s first touchdown of the game. On the next play, senior defensive tackle Will Hill recovered a fumbled Maryland handoff, but Virginia later settled for a 22-yard Frye field goal cutting Maryland’s lead to 17-13.

With a little over six minutes remaining in the contest, Maryland had increased their lead to 27-13. Junior quarterback Michael Rocco replaced Sims and cut the lead to 27-20 with a 10-play, 81-yard drive. Virginia’s offense took the field again with 2:02 left, but was unable to capitalize.

The Hoos will be back in action at home next weekend facing Wake Forest (3-3, 1-3) on Saturday October 20th. Kickoff is set for 12:30pm.