Maryland football edges past Northern Illinois 20-9

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

Northern Illinois football made headlines with its week two upset against Notre Dame last season.

Although there were times on Friday night when it seemed the Huskies would do the same to the Terps, Maryland walked out of Secu Stadium with their non-conference winning streak intact. 

“They knew it’d be a four-quarter game,” head coach Mike Locksley said. “It’d be a tough, hard-fought game, and [I’m] really proud of our guys – the way they fought.”

Maryland (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated Northern Illinois (1-1), 20-9, extending its non-conference winning streak to 17 straight games. 

Similar to its last game, Maryland’s offense started slowly. The Terps went three-and-out on their opening possession after starting from their own 10-yard line. 

Despite Maryland’s early offensive woes, its defense remained strong for the second straight week. NIU’s run-heavy offense managed two first downs, but a big sack from freshman defensive lineman Zahir Mathis pushed the Huskies behind the chains, leading to a punt. 

Tight end Dorian Fleming — who led Maryland in receptions last week — continued to build his connection with Terps’ quarterback Malik Washington. He caught a crosser from Washington, broke a tackle, and went for 48 yards before NIU eventually brought him down on their own 22. From there, the Terps offense stalled out and was forced to settle for a field goal, which freshman Sean O’Haire drilled through the uprights to secure the game’s first points.

With both offenses stalling, the Huskies attempted to create something offensively early in the second quarter. On fourth and ten from their own 45-yard line, Northern Illinois tried a fake punt, but Maryland was all over it. The Terps got a big turnover on downs and started the next drive with excellent field position at Northern Illinois’s 47-yard line. 

Maryland made it count. The Terps ran the ball five times, getting down to NIU’s 12. Washington then capped the drive with a dart while on the run to an open Fleming in the end zone, putting Maryland up 10-0. 

The Huskies responded with a slow, methodical drive that continued to utilize the run game. 14 of Northern Illinois’ 17 plays were rushing plays, getting all the way down to Maryland’s three-yard line. But the Terps’ defense held, forcing a field goal at the end of the second quarter and cutting Maryland’s lead to seven. 

After forcing a three-and-out to open the second half, Maryland’s offensive momentum continued. The Terps marched down the field, mixing their run and pass game well and driving way down to the Huskies’ 11-yard line. But Maryland once again stalled out and settled for a field goal. 

With the offense stagnating, Northern Illinois desperately needed a big play, and they got it in the third quarter. Starting on its own 26-yard line, running back Telly Johnson Jr. took a handoff, hit a hole, and was gone. The sophomore went 74 yards untouched into the endzone, but instead of kicking the extra point, the Huskies elected to go for two. The conversion failed, keeping the score at 13-9. 

The next few drives were filled with missed Terp opportunities — including a fumble by Washington inside the red zone. But two drives later, Washington redeemed himself.

On fourth and five from the NIU 42, Washington made his biggest throw of the game, finding senior wide receiver Shaleak Knotts for a touchdown. Knotts got behind the defense and waltzed into the end zone, notching Maryland a comfortable 20-9 lead. 

“Simple high-low smash concept. Corner bit on the out, had a one-on-one opportunity up top, and I trust [Knotts],” Washington said. “On that play, he made an amazing play and allowed us to score.”

After another defensive stop, Maryland had a chance to put the game away for good with another touchdown. On fourth-and-goal from NIU’s three-yard line, the Terps went for it, but Fleming couldn’t come down with the pass attempt, giving the ball back to the Huskies. 

One more stop from the Terps defense sealed the deal, securing their 17th straight against non-conference opponents. 

“As with a young team, we’ll continue to fix the things that show up on tape, make the corrections, and improve our team,” Locksley said. 

The Terps have one more non-conference game on their schedule – next week against Towson – before they start Big Ten play against Wisconsin.