Maryland football obliterates Towson 44-17; extends non-conference win streak to 18

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

In Maryland football’s prior two games, its offense had struggled early in games.

But Maryland’s offense started fast on Saturday as quarterback Malik Washington made one of his best throws of the season with roughly four minutes left in the first quarter.

The true freshman perfectly placed a back-shoulder ball, hitting wide receiver Shaleak Knotts for 33 yards. On the next play, Washington punched it in himself — Washington’s first rushing touchdown as a Terp. 

Maryland football’s final non-conference game against Towson was the Washington show. The 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound quarterback had plenty of eye-popping throws, finishing with 290 total yards, two touchdowns, and an interception- the best performance of his young Terps career. Maryland dominated Towson, 44-17.

Maryland’s (3-0) offense moved the ball at will against Towson (2-1). The Terps generated 15 first downs and 324 total yards in the first half alone, with explosive plays all over the field. 

“On offense, what we were looking to be able to do was start fast,” head coach Mike Locksley said. “I think to score points on the first six drives we had was really efficient for us.”

The tone was set on the Terps’ second drive of the game, where Washington hit senior wide receiver Octavian Smith Jr. midstride for a 52-yard completion. Maryland had four receptions of over 20 yards in the first half, including a 32-yard strike to Knotts in the endzone to put Maryland up 24-0. 

Washington also showed off the other dimension of his game – his legs. Washington had a total of -1 rushing yards coming into the game on only two total attempts, but he took advantage of any lanes that Towson gave him, rushing for 29 yards and a touchdown on three attempts. 

Last season, there was only one game where the offensive line didn’t allow a sack. But opposing defenses have barely touched Washington this season, and Saturday’s contest was no different. The Terps’ offensive line was excellent in pass protection, giving Washington clean pockets and preventing him from getting sacked for a third consecutive game. 

“ I have full and complete confidence and trust in them up front,” Washington said. “They allowed me to just sit back there and play and be able to not worry about it as much, because I know they’re gonna hold it down.”

Against the Tigers, Maryland also put more emphasis on establishing the run. The Terps finished with a season-high 152 rushing yards on 42 attempts, with freshman Iverson Howard’s 60 yards leading the group. Maryland’s run game was also effective in the red zone, rushing for three touchdowns. 

On the rare occasion where Washington faltered, Maryland’s defense continued to aid the young quarterback. The freshman pass-rushing duo of Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart each recorded a sack and were constant disruptors in the backfield, leading the Terps’ up front. 

When Washington committed his first collegiate interception, Maryland’s secondary responded with one of its own as sophomore defensive back La’Khi Roland ran an interception from one end zone to the other for a 100-yard pick-six. The score gave the Terps a 41-0 lead.

Maryland’s defense struggled last year, especially in Big Ten play, and didn’t force many turnovers – finishing with a turnover differential of -3. Early signs from the Terps defense show improvements, and they’ll need to carry over into their Big Ten season opener at Wisconsin on Sep. 20.