Maryland football looks to carry last week’s momentum into Friday night matchup

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

It’s been nearly six years since Maryland football lost a non-conference game. The Terps have dominated against opponents outside the Big Ten, winning their last 16 games — the longest active streak in the country. 

They’ll look to stretch that streak to 17 on Friday night when Maryland (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) faces Northern Illinois (1-0) at 7:30 p.m. under the lights at SECU Stadium. 

The Huskies are a team known for their defense. They beat Holy Cross in their season opener, 19-17, and the defense held the Crusaders to 217 total yards of offense. They made headlines last season in week two of the college football season, beating eventual National Championship Finalist Notre Dame 16-14 with a game-winning field goal in the final minute. 

“These guys play with great discipline and great gap control and consistency,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “They very rarely put themselves in harm’s way with how they line up structurally, and then they’ll play really sound, and they play really, really hard, which is the sign of a well-coached team.”

Maryland’s answer to that defense comes in the form of their 6-foot-5-inch, 231-pound quarterback, Malik Washington. The freshman signal-caller impressed in his collegiate debut against FAU, passing for 258 yards and three touchdowns with no turnovers. He got lots of different players in the offense involved as 10 different Terps caught passes, and five finished with over 30 receiving yards. 

Washington’s performance involved the most touchdown passes in a true freshman’s debut in the Big Ten since 2009 and the most by a true freshman in a Power Conference since Trevor Lawrence in 2018. 

“As far as how proud I am with myself, I would say decently,” Washington said.  “Wasn’t the start that I wanted, but we finished up pretty strong, and there’s always room for improvement.”

Maryland’s line also showcased its improvements from last season. The unit didn’t allow a sack, a feat that only happened twice in 2024, as strong blocking up front opened up holes for the run game. The Terps ran for 112 yards on 30 attempts, with DeJuan Williams recording a team-high 54 rushing yards. 

Maryland’s defense can also be a difference-maker. NIU has a strong run game, producing 178 yards on the ground last Saturday, but its aerial attack mustered only 109 passing yards and an interception. The Terps’ defense snatched six interceptions against FAU – with two more being called back because of penalties. 

There are plenty of young players who will be playing their first game under the lights at College Park on Friday. However, some of them, like Washington, have been in the crowd for those games and can’t wait to be on the field for them. 

“[I’m] super excited,” Washington said. “It was maybe two years ago when we played UVA at night, and we had the kick returned to the house, and that game was so fun and so electric.”