What's Happening?
Freshman quarterback Malik Washington led the Maryland Terrapins to a decisive 39-7 victory over Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on Saturday. Washington, a four-star recruit, threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter, contributing significantly to Maryland's 16th consecutive nonconference win. Despite early struggles, Washington completed 27 of 43 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns, allowing him to rest during the fourth quarter. Maryland's defense also played a crucial role, scoring twice and intercepting six passes, although they committed 14 penalties throughout the game. FAU's quarterback, Caden Veltkamp, managed a 27-yard touchdown pass but was intercepted four times. Maryland's next game is against Northern Illinois, while FAU will face Florida A&M.
Why It's Important?
The victory highlights Maryland's strong start to the season and the promising future of their freshman quarterback, Malik Washington. His performance could bolster the team's offensive capabilities and contribute to their ongoing success in nonconference games, which is currently the longest streak in the FBS. The game also underscores the importance of defensive strategies, as Maryland's defense was instrumental in securing the win despite numerous penalties. For FAU, the game revealed potential in their Air Raid offense, particularly with receiver Easton Messer tying a school record with 15 catches. However, the four interceptions thrown by Veltkamp indicate areas for improvement.
What's Next?
Maryland will host Northern Illinois on Friday night, providing another opportunity for Washington to showcase his skills and for the team to extend their nonconference winning streak. FAU will host Florida A&M on Saturday night, where they will aim to refine their offensive strategies and reduce turnovers. Both teams will likely focus on addressing the weaknesses exposed during this game, such as Maryland's penalties and FAU's interceptions, to improve their performance in upcoming matches.
