Maryland football’s defense stifles FAU in 39-7 victory; Malik Washington secures first win

Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics

Malik Washington was the headline for Maryland heading into the game, but the Terps’ defense set the tone early.

Maryland’s defense outscored FAU in the first half 9-7. The offense got going in the second quarter with three touchdowns and a field goal, and the Terps cruised to a 37-9 win over the Owls at SECU Stadium on Saturday. The victory continued Maryland’s winning streak against non-conference opponents, stretching it to sixteen. 

Maryland’s offense struggled early. The Terps punted three times in the first quarter and only mustered up 63 yards of total offense, with their only points coming on a 49-yard field goal after starting on their own 45 following a FAU turnover on downs. 

While Maryland’s offense scuffled in the opening quarter, its defense stifled FAU. The Owls opened the game with a long, methodical drive, but the Terps kept them off the board. On fourth-and-four from the Terps’ four yard line, Maryland’s defense held, with junior linebacker Daniel Wingate stuffing FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp at the two-yard line to force a turnover on downs. 

Wingate was a difference-maker in the first half. He made multiple tackles on the opening drive and secured Maryland’s first points of the season, intercepting a fluttering pass from Veltkamp and returning it to the endzone. The junior linebacker finished the half with a team-leading seven tackles. 

“We’re very fortunate to have that guy around here,” head coach Mike Locksley said on Wingate.  “He has a positive impact on our team in all three phases. He’s running down, covering kicks as a starter – we’re really fortunate to have Daniel as a true Junior. I think he’s only going to get better.”

Veltkamp quickly responded for FAU, driving 58 yards in five plays. He hit a wide-open Asaad Waseem down the sideline for a 27-yard touchdown, silencing the Maryland crowd and tying the game at seven. 

In the second quarter, freshman defensive lineman Sidney Stewart secured Maryland more defensive points. With FAU deep in its own territory, Stewart blasted through the offensive line, pinning Veltkamp down in the endzone for a safety and extending Maryland’s lead to 12-7. 

Then Washington found his groove. He marched down the field with a six-play, 50-yard drive that he capped with a 29-yard pass to Shaleak Knotts for a touchdown. Maryland’s next offensive drive was eerily similar – seven plays, 57 yards, finished off with another 29-yard touchdown pass – this time to Kaleb Webb on the other side of the field. 

“I think after the first touchdown,” Washington said when asked to pinpoint a moment where things started to click. “I feel like everybody feels good after the first one. So just, you know, getting that in the books and ready to roll from there.”

Maryland’s defense got another stop late in the second, allowing Washington to work in the two-minute offense. The talented freshman made it look easy — completing seven of eight passes for 67 yards — and finishing with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Fleming to give Maryland a comfortable 33-7 lead with 37 seconds left in the half. 

Maryland’s offense slowed down in the second half. The Terps opened the third quarter with back-to-back field goals before opting to take Washington out of the game. His final line – 27 for 43, 258 yards, three touchdowns, no picks – the most yards by a true freshman in a debut in Maryland history. 

Despite the offense only scoring six points in the last 30 minutes of the game, FAU was unable to cut into Maryland’s lead due to the Terps’ defense. They swarmed around the field, picking off FAU four times to finish with six interceptions – the most in a game since 1998. 

Maryland’s next game is against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m.