# Maryland's first real test arrives > Coach Locksley frames Virginia Tech as Maryland's Week 3 measuring stick after a perfect start. - Title: Maryland's first real test arrives · Maryland Terrapins On SI - Summary: Coach Locksley frames Virginia Tech as Maryland's Week 3 measuring stick after a perfect start. Maryland's 2-0 record means nothing without proving it can… - Keywords: maryland terrapins, virginia tech hokies, mike locksley, college football, week 3, power 4, malik washington, secu stadium, acc rivalry, defensive front seven, offensive execution, sports - Source: Maryland Terrapins On SI — https://si.com/college/maryland/maryland-football-vs-virginia-tech-key-storylines-and-what-s-at-stake-01m2ks08fsqa - Published: 2026-09-16T00:36:11+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: maryland terrapins, virginia tech hokies, mike locksley, college football, week 3, power 4, malik washington, secu stadium, acc rivalry, defensive front seven, offensive execution, sports ## Maryland enters the real test After a controlled 2-0 start, the Terrapins face Virginia Tech in Week 3, their first Power 4 opponent. Coach Mike Locksley calls this the team's true gauge of where they stand. ## Two wins don't mean much yet Locksley described the first two weeks as an 'audit' of fundamentals and rotations. He emphasized that Maryland's record is '2 and 0 unfinished' and carries no weight moving forward. > 2 and 0 unfinished ## Opponent progression tells the story Maryland faced an FCS team, then a Group of Five opponent in UConn, and now Virginia Tech represents a significant upgrade in talent and physicality. The Hokies' front seven is a major step up. ## Virginia Tech's defense is elite The Hokies' front seven is their roster's strength. Interior lineman Kemari Copeland is a disruptor, Cortez Harris adds edge versatility, and linebacker Noah Chambers runs the unit. They recorded seven sacks in their last game. ## Cortez Harris brings local knowledge Virginia Tech edge rusher Cortez Harris is a Riverdale Baptist product and Penn State transfer familiar to Maryland's coaching staff. His versatility makes him a particular concern. ## Noah Chambers runs the defense Virginia Tech linebacker Noah Chambers, a DeMatha alum, is the identity of the Hokies' defense. He orchestrates the unit and gives it direction and discipline. ## Virginia Tech runs a ground-based offense The Hokies use a run-first approach to set up run-action concepts. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer's athleticism lets him extend plays, and Virginia Tech may deploy a second quarterback in additional packages. ## Transfer portal shapes Virginia Tech Coach James Franklin brought roughly a dozen transfers to Virginia Tech, including tight end Luke Reynolds, to accelerate system installation and roster familiarity. This embodies the new college football landscape. ## Malik Washington must stay in rhythm Maryland's quarterback evolved from 'pressing' in Week 1 to operating in true offensive flow in Week 2. That rhythm must continue against Virginia Tech's aggressive front seven. ## Trust the playmakers around you Washington must trust his reads and distribute the ball to playmakers like Chris Durr Jr, who has short-area burst, and Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding, whose consistency has earned the staff's trust. ## Run game must match physicality Maryland's run game is still developing behind younger backs. Iverson Howard's hard running on a 90-yard touchdown drive at UConn serves as the model for the physicality Maryland needs this week. ## Trench play is everything Locksley was blunt: none of Maryland's offensive strategy matters if the Terrapins don't elevate their trench play. Against Virginia Tech's seven-sack front, Maryland must be sharper and more connected up front. ## The Shell must be loud Locksley called for a full sellout at SECU Stadium, pointing to 10,000 students at the opener as proof the program's energy is building. A loud home crowd under the lights is part of Maryland's formula. ## Regional rivalries matter long-term Locksley ties this matchup to his scheduling philosophy, emphasizing regional rivalries with ACC opponents and West Virginia. Maryland should 'play where we recruit' to showcase the program locally. > play where we recruit ## Week 3 defines the program Locksley framed this game as more than just a test. It reflects Maryland's culture, strategy, and connection to its home region. The outcome will shape how the program is perceived moving forward. ## Key takeaway Maryland's 2-0 record means nothing without proving it can execute against Power 4 competition like Virginia Tech's elite defensive front.