What little margin for error the fading Maryland football team had remaining in its quest for bowl eligibility vanished during a 31-17 loss to visiting Rutgers on Saturday night after the Terrapins wilted down the stretch, adding more misery to a season on the verge of becoming unsalvageable.

Both teams are scrambling to become bowl eligible. Rutgers is one victory away from win No. 6. Maryland needs two more, and its regular-season finale is against Penn State, so the two games before that take on added importance. Rutgers made a bowl last season. The Terrapins are trying to extend a streak of three seasons in a row.