Maryland football needed to course-correct some issues on Saturday in its final tune-up game before the start of conference play and it did just that against Towson. 

The Terps faced no resistance and had a dominant performance to crush the Tigers, 44-17.  

Maryland’s defense continued to impress, completely neutralizing Towson’s offense throughout the majority of the game — the Terps forced two key turnovers leading to touchdowns on Saturday. 

Maryland’s offense had its best performance of the young season on Saturday. Despite one clear miscue, freshman quarterback Malik Washington led Maryland with his 261 passing yards, one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown.

“I think on offense, what we were looking to be able to do is start fast. I think we scored points on the first six drives we had,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “[Washington] was really efficient for us. Did a really good job of, kind of getting the offense rolling early on and gaining some momentum.”

Washington finished nonconference play with 773 total passing yards — most by a power-five true freshman in his first three games since 2019. 

Maryland’s defense was swarming Towson’s offense in the early going. The Tigers had one first down in the opening quarter, but all four drives ended in punts. 

Maryland’s offense, however, got off to a scorching start, with the exception of its first drive.

The opening kickoff started with disaster for Towson. The Tigers started at their own 2-yard line after muffing the kickoff and went three-and-out. The Terps started at the 35-yard line, but couldn’t gain much traction, settling for a field goal. 

Then Washington caught fire. 

Three big receptions on consecutive drives gave the Terps a commanding lead. Washington first found Octavian Smith Jr. for 52 yards that set up DeJuan Williams to punch it in. Washington then found Shaleak Knotts for 33 yards just to take it into the end zone himself. The freshman quarterback found Knotts again on the following drive for a 32-yard touchdown. 

“Our guys get to go out there and make plays no matter who we’re playing against,” Washington said. “I trust my guys in a one-on-one situation every single time.”

Smith would end the day with his first career 100-yard receiving performance.

Towson had no answer for Maryland’s defense, as a forced fumble led to another Maryland score.

“I’m really proud of our defense and where they’ve played,” Locksley said. “Continue to keep people out of the end zone. Got pressure on the quarterback today.”

Towson had a drive moving downfield and almost found the endzone, but Maryland’s ferocious defense held strong after a dropped pass to the end zone. The Terps forced a fourth-down stop to keep the Tigers scoreless. 

The Terps had 324 on offense in the first half and Washington had 226 passing yards. Maryland last faced Towson in 2023, winning 38-6. The Terps scored 34 unanswered points in the first half on Saturday — its most in a half since 2022.

Washington had a rough start to the second half, throwing his first interception of the season on a broken play that was tipped by. Towson returned the interception to the 5-yard line, but Maryland’s defense once again stood strong. 

La’khi Roland intercepted an Andrew Indorf pass to the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown. It was Maryland’s fifth all-time 100-yard pick-six and its first since 1962.  

“Malik [Washington] did throw a pick before that and we were not expecting that,” Roland said. “Our job as a secondary is to plaster… And that’s what I did, right place, right time. Caught the ball, touchdown from there.”

With a 41-point lead, Maryland’s offense didn’t have the same momentum it had early on. The Terps failed to score on either of their first two drives with Washington under center. 

Towson’s offense would find the end in the third quarter, marching down the field for 75 yards on three plays for its first score of the game.

Maryland then pulled Washington, with the game out of reach in the third quarter, in favor of Khristian Martin. The Terps proceeded to run the clock out to cruise to an easy win.

Maryland’s special teams got in on the fun in the fourth, blocking a Towson punt. The Terps would not find the end zone on the ensuing drive and had to settle for another field goal. Sean O’Haire had a good day, making all three of his field goals. 

Towson would not go away easily, though. Nathan Kent found Jaceon Doss on a one-play 84-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter — the longest Towson touchdown reception since 2016. The Tigers added another field goal later on.

Maryland let its guard down in the second half, allowing Towson to gain momentum. That said, the game was out of reach and the Terps had subbed out their starters. 

Saturday marks Maryland’s FBS-high 18th straight nonconference win and a 20-1 record against non-Big Ten opponents under Locksley.

“Great to be off to a 3-0 start, strong finish to our nonconference schedule. Really proud of the fellas away. They took care of business for this portion of our schedule,” Locksley said.