Maryland football struggled in every way last season – except one. After an offseason of massive roster turnover, the Terps enter 2025 with questions to answer. 

Under head coach Michael Locksley, nonconference play has been built for Maryland. As the Terps open up their season Saturday against Florida Atlantic, they’ll look to continue one of their most impressive active streaks. 

Maryland owns the longest active non-conference winning streak in the nation, with 15 consecutive victories, and is 17-1 overall under Locksley. 

Saturday will be the first glimpse of what the Terps have in store for 2025 – but also a responsibility to keep that streak alive. 

A look into Florida Atlantic’s outlook

Florida Atlantic head coach Zach Kittley enters his first season leading the Owls after spending the last three years as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator. He also served as Western Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2021. 

Last season, FAU went 3-9, leading to the dismissal of former head coach Tom Herman after ten games and a five-game losing streak. The Owls finished last season strong with their only American Conference win against Tulsa under interim head coach Chad Lunsford.

FAU has a lot to prove, but it has a fresh start under a new head coach. 

Unlike Maryland, the Owls have named Caden Veltkamp as their starting quarterback on Saturday. The redshirt junior transfer started 13 games for Western Kentucky last season, throwing for 3,108 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. 

Veltkamp brought one of his top targets from Western Kentucky with him to FAU: Easton Mercer. Mercer had 55 receptions for 793 yards and four touchdowns last season. 

At running back, Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell return after combining for 378 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

Florida Atlantic’s defense is filled with potential impactful transfers. 

The defensive line features Wilky Denaud from Mississippi State, CJ Doggette Jr. from Cincinnati – who totaled 32 tackles and three sacks last season for the Bearcats – and Bryce Langston. Langston started at LSU but played with the Owls last season. 

The Owls’ linebacker core is led by experience, Minnesota transfer Tyler Stolsky and Leon Hart Jr. from Marshall. Both saw ample playing time at their respective former programs last season.

Wendol Philord returns to Florida Atlantic for a second season after four seasons with NAIA Keiser and will be a leading defensive back standout. Other potential impactful corner backs include “Dooda” Derrick Rogers from Purdue, Terez Reid from Grand Valley and Dillion Williams from UTEP.

The Owls begin their 25th anniversary season with their first ever matchup against the Terps. FAU will have a chance to start a new era on the right foot. 

How will Maryland kick off the season?

Maryland has yet to name a starting quarterback, and that decision won’t be revealed until presumably Saturday’s pregame warmup. 

The three options that Locksley has laid out are true freshman Malik Washington, UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and redshirt freshman Khristian Martin. 

After Billy Edwards Jr. transferred to Wisconsin, where he exited his first game with a non-contact injury, as well as Taulia Tagovailoa before him – this is a new era for Maryland’s offense. A brand-new face will be under center for the first time since 2020. 

Whichever quarterback Locksley and his coaching staff decides to roll out on Saturday, Maryland’s offense needs to prove itself. 

Octavian Smith Jr., Jalil Farooq and Dorian Fleming are key receivers for the Terps. As Maryland’s most experienced targets for an inexperienced quarterback, they will likely see action on Saturday. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Daniel Wingate and Jalen Huskey are two key returners that could take a big leadership role starting on Saturday. New defensive coordinator Ted Monachino will likely have to rely on Maryland’s key returners to take charge of the unit. 

With the exception of Locksley returning, Maryland’s program has an entirely different look in 2025. New coordinators and an almost entirely revamped roster.

Saturday will be the first look into what could be in store this season.