The Maryland Terrapins may not be considered among the favorites in the Big Ten to make the College Football Playoff. However, there’s one thing the Terps do well: win non-conference games. This year, Maryland has the second-easiest non-conference schedule in the Big Ten, so its current streak of 16 in a row is not in jeopardy. Last year’s starting quarterback transferred out, so in comes the highest-rated quarterback in nearly two decades, Malik Washington. The true freshman quarterback was thrown into the fire in his first collegiate game, and he responded.
Led by Washington, the Terps get off to a great start in 2025, dispatching Florida Atlantic, 39-7.
Maryland’s True Freshman Quarterback and Defense Dominate Owls
The Future is Now
Washington had his growing pains, but he gave the Terps a glimpse of what he can be in the win. In the first quarter, he struggled. He started off with just three completions on nine attempts in the first quarter, good for just 23 yards. On those three drives, the Terps managed just one first down and a three-and-out. Then, with the game tied at seven, he took off.
Maryland had the ball five times in the second quarter, and Washington led it to three touchdowns and a field goal. In the second quarter alone, Washington went 18-of-24 passing with 181 yards and three touchdowns, and that was after missing on his first two attempts.
On the day, he finished with 258 yards and those three touchdowns while completing 63% of his passes. 10 Terrapins ended the day with at least one reception, led by the five from Shaleak Knotts. The fourth-year receiver paced the offense with 59 yards and a touchdown. Kaleb Webb and tight end Dorian Fleming also found the end zone off a couple of throws from the true freshman quarterback.
FAU isn’t expected to be one of the top Group of 5 teams out there, but today was a promising start for what looks to be the next star Maryland quarterback.
Can’t Win Without the Ball
Washington’s job was made exponentially easier by his defense. FAU had the ball 17 times. Two of those drives were at the end of the half, so of the 15 completed drives, one ended in a touchdown, and it only punted twice. That leaves 12 drives. Of those 12 drives, six ended via interception, one ended with a safety, and five were turnovers on downs. We may not be the world’s smartest individuals, but we can tell that this drive chart would not often end in success.
Those six interceptions by Maryland were the most by a Terrapins team since the 1998 win over Duke.
It just wasn’t FAU’s day. Starting quarterback and Western Kentucky transfer Caden Veltkamp had a fine day, if you ignore the interceptions. He completed 30-of-45 passing for 229 yards and a touchdown. It’ll be those four interceptions that haunt him. Former Akron/Georgia Tech/Georgia State quarterback Zach Gibson came on in relief but had just as much success. His day ended with just 49 yards and two interceptions.
The Terrapins spread the love, as six different defenders recorded interceptions on the day. The fun got started in the first quarter as the first interception, hauled in by Daniel Wingate, was returned 20 yards for a pick-six.
Maryland gets to host Northern Illinois next week as it looks to move to 17 non-conference wins in a row. Behind this opportunistic defense and a true freshman quarterback destined for greatness, things are looking good in College Park.
Main Image: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
