A Golden Hue to Homecoming
Football Thriller Ends Week of Performances, Celebrations and 2 Olympian Guests
Fans storm the field at SECU Stadium after a dramatic 29-28 victory over USC in the debut meeting between the teams Saturday. The Terps scored 15 fourth-quarter points for their first Big Ten win of the season to move to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
Photo by Riley N. Sims
Maryland fans rushed the field at SECU Stadium on Saturday night after the football team rallied for a last-minute 29–28 win over the USC Trojans.
But the victory—the team’s first conference win of the season and biggest comeback since 2020—wasn’t the only shining moment of Homecoming Week.
The University of Maryland welcomed back 2024 Summer Olympics gold medalists Thea LaFond-Gadson ’15 and Alyssa Thomas ’14 as grand marshals, the first time the honorary title has been awarded in at least a decade.
Both were all over campus, with LaFond-Gadson, a triple-jumper who competed for Dominica at the Games, attending the Oct. 11 football matchup vs. Northwestern, meeting with university trustees, signing autographs and taking selfies with students at the Terp Carnival on Friday night—she even let Terps heft the gold medal hanging around her neck. Thomas, who competes with the Connecticut Sun, attended a women’s basketball practice, was inducted into Maryland Athletics’ Hall of Fame with seven other Terp greats on Friday night; all were recognized on the field at Saturday’s game.
Fireworks illuminated McKeldin Mall for a huge crowd after the carnival, a stage at the Xfinity Center was lit up for a show by standup comedian John Mulaney and many other bright moments punctuated the week.
See how our photographers and videographers captured many of them.
Emily Todd ’26 takes a selfie in front of the Homecoming 2024 banner at the M. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
From left, Sasha Cozy ’28, Isabella Gennardi ’28, Erica Axtell ’28 and Shriya Natta ’24 pet Linzer, a canine companion officer with the Hyattsville Police Department’s Community Action Team, during Teddy's Pup Parade on McKeldin Mall on Wednesday. Linzer served as grand marshal after Teddy, the University of Maryland Police Department’s comfort dog, was unable to attend. It drew a menagerie including labs, golden retrievers, a schnauzer and terrier. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
From left, Bafoday Koroma ’26, Nathaniel Clinkscale ’26, Dane Wallace ’25 and Osburne Lawrence ’25 of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. perform during the annual talent showcase Juke Joint in the Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom on Wednesday. (Photo by Riley N. Sims)
The Adele H. Stamp Student Union was lit up in red for Homecoming Week, one of many buildings around campus that glowed with school spirit. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
Simian Aswan ’27 jumps across an inflatable obstacle course during Terp Carnival on Friday. The event included concessions, a beer garden featuring the new Testudo Premium Lager, musical performances by student groups, and a “meet, greet and compete” with members of the men’s and women’s basketball and men’s soccer teams facing off with fans in events including an inflatable basketball hoop. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
Olympic track and field gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson ’15 shows her medal as she poses with (from left) Lorena Nyambal ’26, Nivetha Rajapandi ’26 and Hailey Orellana-Reyes ’26 during Terp Carnival on Friday. (Photo by Riley N. Sims)
Fireworks burst over McKeldin Library at Terp Carnival’s grand finale Friday. (Photo by Riley N. Sims)
From left, Tyler Quattrin ’28, Rachel Carreras ’28 and Owen Vento ’28 pose for a selfie with UMD President Darryll J. Pines at Thursday's Homecoming Spirit Station. Terps hoping to do just that and check off a "bucket list" item in the "M Book" lined up from the base of the ODK Fountain to the Thomas V. Miller Main Administration Building. Students wearing the daily color (black on Thursday) also picked up limited-edition Homecoming 2024 scarves and pins. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
The Mighty Sound of Maryland marches (and struts and dances) through Lot 1b before the Terps take on the Trojans on Saturday. (Photo by John T. Consoli)
From left, Lee Koch ‘92, Kelly Fuscaldo ‘25, Jessica Kluh ’25 and John Prosperi ‘25 tailgate Saturday in Lot 1B. (Photo by John T. Consoli)
Maryland football’s defense celebrates after a big hit from linebacker Caleb Wheatland (44) forced a USC incomplete pass with 11 seconds left in the game, sealing the Terps’ come-from-behind win Saturday. (Photo by Riley N. Sims)
Fans storm the field following the Maryland football team's stunning 29-28 Homecoming win over the University of Southern California at SECU Stadium on Saturday. (Photo by Riley N. Sims)
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