Maryland football has now lost seven straight games for the first time since 2019.
The Terps were steamrolled, 45-20, on Senior Day by No. 18 Michigan. They are unable to clinch bowl eligibility this regular
season, and they will finish with a losing record for the second year in a row.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Battle of the freshmen quarterbacks
Saturday was a battle between Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class, and Malik Washington, the No. 5 quarterback in the class. Those two were the only freshman signal callers in the Big Ten to enter the season as starters — against each other, they both showed why they earned that nod.
Underwood was the better of the two, putting together one of the best games of his young career. He was near-flawless through the air — his standout accuracy and touch highlighted a 16-of-23, 215-yard, two-touchdown showing through the air. That was on top of an efficient rushing performance — Underwood had just 20 ground yards, but moved the chains on broken plays multiple times.
Washington was, once again, up-and-down. He was under heavy duress for much of the game — that sometimes resulted in perfect under-pressure throws, and sometimes resulted in rushed ones. His interception was the latter; it was above Octavian Smith Jr. and into the hands of safety Mason Curtis.
But it was also clear Underwood had the far better supporting cast. Washington’s 19-of-39 passing for 210 yards doesn’t tell the whole story; he suffered from bad pass protection and a handful of drops.
“He’s played pretty well for us, and has given us some opportunities to win,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “Is there room for growth? There’s room for growth for all of us, but for a true freshman quarterback, I think he’s played pretty well.”
Washington and Underwood are set to be two of the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks for at least one more season. It’s not a close race for who is set up better for success.
Maryland’s defense couldn’t get off the field
Michigan entered the season converting 44.4% of its third-down attempts, middle of the pack in the Big Ten. But do-or-die downs were anything but an issue for the Wolverines on Saturday.
They completed their first seven third downs against Maryland — the Terps were down 21-10 the first time they forced a drive to end in anything but a touchdown. It ended in a missed field goal.
That missed attempt and a 48-second drive to end the first half were the only two possessions the Wolverines didn’t score. Excluding the end-of-half drive, they made it to the red zone on eight of their nine possessions — and scored a field goal on the one they didn’t.
Both of Michigan’s star running backs — Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall — were out with injuries. It didn’t matter. Third-string back Bryson Kuzdzal nearly doubled his previous career-high in rushing yards, totaling 100 alongside three touchdowns on 20 carries. Sophomore Tomas O’Meara had 71 yards, Jasper Parker added a touchdown and Underwood had 20 rushing yards.
“We didn’t set the edge of the defense very well,” Locksley said. “They’ve got to do a better job of forcing the ball back to where the help was.”
Saturday was the sixth straight game Maryland allowed over 190 rushing yards, and the fourth straight it allowed over 200.
It’s true the Terps are dealing with a barrage of injuries on defense; an issue that only got worse as cornerbacks La’khi Roland and Jamare Glasker left the game hurt. But it’s also true they simply haven’t given an opponent resistance in four weeks.
Missed opportunities changed the game
Maryland could have had the ball deep inside Michigan territory with the game tied 7-7 in the first quarter. Underwood tried to find Andrew Marsh over the middle, but his throw was well high.
Lavain Scruggs was in perfect position, and took off for what would have been a long interception return. But he didn’t bring the ball with him.
The Wolverines ended the drive in the end zone.
The Terps were driving midway through the second quarter, with a chance to cut Michigan’s lead to one score as they entered the red zone. Jalil Farooq got wide open on a post route in the middle of the end zone, but didn’t turn his body in time to bring in Washington’s throw.
Maryland was forced to settle for a field goal, making a two-possession game still a two-possession game.
The last big error came with Michigan ahead by 18 points, in what already seemed like a sealed-up game. But if Maryland had any chance to claw back, it was when Kaleb Webb streaked wide open down the left sideline.
Washington saw him, and heaved the ball up. His throw was slightly long, but it looked like Webb pulled up slightly short on the ball. Nonetheless, the potential touchdown tipped off Webb’s finger and fell incomplete. Once again, the Terps settled for three points.
If those three plays went Maryland’s way, it would have represented a 15-point swing — potentially 22 points if it scored off Scruggs’ pick.
“Catch the ball, make a play … these are obvious things,” Locksley said. “Coach’s job is to take players where they can’t take themselves, and that’s my job. I gotta figure out how to get them to make that play.”
