In its final non-conference matchup of the season, Maryland football had no issues handling an inferior opponent in Towson. The Terps offense exploded for 324 first-half yards while holding the Tigers scoreless.
Aside from one turnover and Towson’s scores with the game already out of reach, Maryland played a near-perfect game at all three levels to cruise to a 44-17 victory, and extend its non-conference winning streak to 18 games.
Here are the takeaways from the dominant win.
Washington and the offense impress
After dazzling Maryland fans with two strong performances in its first two games, true freshman quarterback Malik Washington was even better in the Terps’ final non-conference matchup.
He finished the day with 261 passing yards, including over 200 in the first half. But it wasn’t just with his arm — he used his legs for 29 yards and a rushing touchdown as the Terps jumped out to a 41-0 before he was replaced with 5:30 left in the third quarter.
The offensive line has been a significant reason for Washington’s play. It has done its job of keeping Washington’s jersey clean, allowing the young quarterback to be comfortable. With Washington in the game, the line has allowed no sacks through three games.
“Those guys are putting in the work,” Washington said of his offensive line. “I have full and complete confidence and trust in them up front. They allowed me to sit back there and play, and not worry as much.”
The Terps scored on their first five offensive possessions, jumping out to an early 31-0 cushion with over 10 minutes to play in the first half.
Things started in the first quarter on his 52-yard connection with Octavian Smith Jr., setting up the Terps’ first touchdown run by DeJuan Williams, who ran for 47 of the team’s 152 rushing yards.
Washington continued to dominate in the first, hitting Shaleak Knotts on a beautiful back shoulder throw for 33 yards down at the Towson two, then took it in with his legs to extend the Terps’ lead to 17.
The third first-half touchdown was the most impressive. Washington placed a perfect pass to Knotts again up the right sideline, hitting him perfectly in stride for a 32-yard touchdown pass.
Defense holds stout
The Terps came into Saturday’s matchup allowing just 16 points in their first two games. The defense continued its dominance, preventing Towson from ever having a chance to compete.
Its 33 points allowed mark the lowest through the first three games since 2001.
“I’m really proud of the defense and the way they’ve continued to keep people out of the end zone,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “The best thing that came out of this game is we got to play a lot of players. With a team that’s inexperienced, we’ll be better because of that depth that we’ve been able to create by playing young guys.”
The highlight of the game came in the third quarter. After Towson forced its first turnover, the Terps defense returned the favor — defensive back La’khi Roland intercepted Tigers quarterback Andrew Indorf on a cross-body attempt towards the endzone, returning it for a 103-yard touchdown.
“The quarterback scrambled out of the pocket, so our job as a secondary is go on our man and plaster,” Roland said. “Right place, right time. [I] caught the ball; touchdown from there.”
Maryland held Towson to three-and-outs on the first three possessions and only 15 total yards in the first quarter.
The second quarter was no different, stripping the Tigers on their first offensive play of the quarter on a run, leading to another Maryland touchdown. It wasn’t just the run defense, but the pass defense that dominated the game. They pressured the Tigers on nearly every dropback, including two first-half sacks, and stopped Towson’s only positive drive of the half on a fourth-down stop.
Towson ended with 17 points, all coming after the Terps removed most of their starters.
Final tune-up, no problem
In Maryland’s first two games, the offense struggled in parts or, in the case of the Northern Illinois game, for long stretches. Facing FCS opponent Towson proved to be an opportunity for the Terps to get things right, and they did just that on both sides of the ball.
The Terps allowed 281 total yards, most of which came late in the game after the starters were removed, and only 51 yards on the ground.
Some Terps that shined on the day included Octavian Smith Jr., catching four passes for a career high 103 receiving yards. Knotts shined as well, posting four catches for 79 yards with two game-breaking catches — one being a touchdown, and already surpassing his 2024 total in receiving yards.
“This is a guy we thought of very highly,” Locksley said of Knotts. “He’s a guy that could be a playmaker for us. You just got to run your race, which he has done. I really like the way things have worked out for him early in the year.”
Even special teams made a splash play, blocking Towson’s punt in the fourth quarter, leading to kicker Sean O’Haire’s eighth score of the day, for a 28-yard field goal.
“It’s complimentary football. The offense plays for the defense, and, you know, plays for special teams, who goes right back to offense,” Washington said. It’s one big cycle, and then they would go out there and create those turnovers and make those big plays.”
