Freshman Malik Washington threw three touchdown passes in the second quarter, and Maryland’s defense scored twice to help the Terrapins beat Florida Atlantic 39-7 on Saturday at SECU Stadium, extending their nonconference winning streak to 16 games – the longest active streak in the FBS.
First Quarter: Defense Sets the Tone
Maryland’s defense got off to a rocky start, committing five penalties on FAU’s opening drive. However, the Terrapins responded with authority, stopping the Owls on fourth down inside the 5-yard line to preserve a scoreless game.
The scoring opened in dramatic fashion when Zahir Mathis hit Caden Veltkamp as he threw, and Daniel Wingate picked off the pass and ran it back 20 yards for a touchdown. The pick-six gave Maryland an early 7-0 advantage and set the defensive tone for the afternoon.
FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp, a transfer from Western Kentucky, quickly answered back with a 27-yard scoring strike to Asaad Waseem to even the score at 7-7 and give the Owls hope for a competitive contest.
Second Quarter: Washington Takes Over
After a shaky start where he completed just 3 of his first 11 passes, Washington settled in impressively and began to showcase why he was considered a four-star recruit from nearby Glen Burnie.
The pivotal sequence began when Veltkamp threw an interception in the second quarter and took a sack in the end zone by Sidney Stewart that made it 12-7 in favor of Maryland. The safety gave the Terrapins breathing room and momentum.
Washington then took control of the game with a spectacular three-touchdown performance in the quarter:
- Washington found an open Shaleak Knotts for a 29-yard TD
- A 29-yard scoring pass to Kaleb Webb made it 26-7
- Washington connected with Dorian Fleming for a 9-yard touchdown before the half was over
The freshman’s composure and arm talent turned what was a close game into a 33-7 halftime advantage for the Terrapins.
Second Half: Cruise Control
With the game well in hand, Maryland was able to coast through the second half. Washington finished 27 of 43 for 258 yards and three TDs and was able to take the fourth quarter off. The Terrapins added one more touchdown to reach the final 39-7 margin.
FAU’s struggles continued as Veltkamp tied a school record with four interceptions. Despite receiver Easton Messer tying a school record with 15 catches, the Owls couldn’t overcome their quarterback’s turnovers.
Player Performances
Maryland:
- Malik Washington (QB): 27/43, 258 yards, 3 TDs in his college debut
- Daniel Wingate (DB): Pick-six touchdown, team leader on defense
- Sidney Stewart (DE): Safety in the second quarter
- Shaleak Knotts (WR): 29-yard touchdown reception
- Kaleb Webb (WR): 29-yard touchdown reception
- Dorian Fleming (WR): 9-yard touchdown reception
Florida Atlantic:
- Caden Veltkamp (QB): 4 interceptions, 1 TD pass to Asaad Waseem
- Easton Messer (WR): School-record tying 15 receptions
- Asaad Waseem (WR): 27-yard touchdown reception
Key Stats
- Maryland’s Five interceptions were its most since a 1998 win over Duke
- Both quarterbacks reached 30 pass attempts in the first half
- Maryland was flagged 14 times for penalties but overcame the mistakes
Injury Report
The victory came with some concerning late developments for Maryland. Freshman offensive lineman Jaylen Gilchrist had to be carted off with an injury, and backup quarterback Justyn Martin was helped off with an apparent left leg injury.
Looking Ahead
Maryland (1-0) will host Northern Illinois on Friday night as they look to continue their impressive nonconference dominance. Florida Atlantic (0-1) returns home to host Florida A&M on Saturday night, hoping to bounce back from the disappointing season opener.
The Terrapins’ convincing victory showcased both the promise of their highly-touted freshman quarterback and the veteran leadership of their opportunistic defense, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season.
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