Maryland Football 2–0: What I Learned, What I’m Keying On, What’s Overlooked, and the Big Picture

What I Learned

Maryland’s season-opening victories—39-7 over Florida Atlantic (Aug. 30) and a gritty 20-9 win against Northern Illinois (Sept. 5)—tell us a lot about where this team stands, albeit against lesser competition than the Terps will face later this year.

The NIU Huskies are a middling yet formidable team out of the MAC that kept things close with Maryland early, but the cream rose to the top. It was the second straight impressive performance by the Terps’ defense, and there are some emerging trends on offense. Here’s what I’ve learned so far…

1. Freshman QB Malik Washington isn’t just under center—he’s becoming a leader. In his highly anticipated debut, Washington threw for 258 yards and three second-quarter touchdowns, setting school records for a true freshman starter and guiding Maryland to its 14th straight non-conference opener win. He completed 27 of 43 passes with no interceptions—a remarkable statement of poise from day one.

2. The defense is the backbone of this start. Maryland forced six interceptions against FAU and held them to just seven points. Against NIU, they tightened even more: four sacks, nine tackles for loss, and forcing six punts. Linebacker Daniel Wingate logged a career-high 14 tackles versus NIU; Trey Reddick added 11 with a sack. Wingate was also Maryland’s leading tackler against FAU — a game where he scored on a 20-yard interception return to get things rolling early for the Terps.

3. Red zone issues persist, but special teams and opportunistic defense have picked up the slack. Against NIU, Maryland’s scoring was limited, but so were its penalties, which helped the Terps stay in control throughout. Maryland relied on penalty reduction, a fake-punt stop by special teams, and a clutch 4th-and-5 touchdown pass (Washington to Shaleak Knotts) to seal it. Kicker Sean O’Hair has also been decent, going 5-for-6 on field goals and 6-for-6 on PATs to start the year.

4. Transfers in the secondary are already making an impact. In the opening two games, the improved performance from the defensive backfield has stood out—bolstering pass defense, limiting big plays, and giving the front seven more freedom to attack. Dontay Joyner has been targeted eight times but has only allowed four completions, and he recorded an interception against FAU. Jamare Glasker has been just as impressive, allowing just one catch on six targets. However, he left the NIU game early with an injury.

What I’m Keying On This Week

Looking ahead to Week 3, the Terps host Towson (2-0) at SECU Stadium, with kickoff set for Saturday, Sept. 13 at noon on Peacock.

Here’s what to watch:

1. Maintain offensive rhythm. Against FAU, the Terps looked explosive. Against NIU, they were stifled. How will the offense strike a balance—capitalizing on chunk plays while avoiding red zone traffic jams?

2. Secondary to continue carrying the load. If the DBs can remain disciplined, they’ll keep opponents in check. Hopefully, Glasker will be OK and play. But if not, the rest of Maryland’s defense will have to step up and make sure they don’t allow an inferior team to build momentum with big passing plays.

3. Conquering the red zone. The growth area is clear: the Terps need more touchdowns when inside the 20. Their defense may carry them now, but that won’t hold against stronger, upcoming opponents.

4. Turnovers, discipline, and field position. Early-season penalties came down to a mere three against NIU after an astonishing 14 against FAU. Minimizing mistakes, winning the turnover battle, and playing smart field-position football will determine whether the Terps roll or find themselves in a closer game than they should against an in-state foe.

Something Not Getting Enough Attention

Amid all the spotlight on Washington and the defense, two quietly huge storylines deserve more love:

1. Non-conference defensive dominance. Through two games, Maryland has allowed just 16 total points—an average of 8 per game. That’s the fewest allowed through the first two games since 2001. That consistency—even against different styles (FAU’s passing, NIU’s run grind)—signals a defense built for every situation.

2. Do the Terps have a run game? There were high hopes for Nolan Ray in College Park this season, but he’s yet to get going through Maryland’s first two games. The Terps’ run, in general, has been absent. Averaging just 3.4 yards per carry so far as a team, this is Maryland’s last chance to get its ground game going before a much tougher Big Ten schedule begins.

Big-Picture Wise: Where I’m At

Here’s how I size up this 2-0 start and where it could lead:

Momentum and belief are high. A 2–0 start puts the Terps in a good place mentally. They should have another chance to build upon that momentum this week, and it’d be nice if they could do so in the questionable areas, like the red zone and overall run game.

Defense is setting the tone. Maryland’s defense has been dominant and resilient so far this season. No reason that shouldn’t continue this week against Towson. Keeping that side of the ball strong will help the Terps win sloppy or tight games throughout the year.

Offense has shown flashes—but needs refinement. Washington’s upside is obvious, and already he’s making highlight plays. But the ceiling is higher if they can improve red zone efficiency and diversify their attack—get Nolan Ray and the ground game more involved, while letting Dorian Fleming, Knotts, and the rest of the receiving corps stretch the field.

Simply put, this Maryland team feels different. If the defense holds, special teams continue to shine, and Washington keeps pushing the offense forward—this team is in position to surprise. Even after a rough 2024, they may be reshaping the narrative this year.

 

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