Five players recognized after Maryland football's season-opening win vs. Florida Atlantic

Ahmed Ghafir
2 days ago
2 min read

Maryland football officially kicked off its 2025 season on Saturday afternoon with a blowout win over Florida Atlantic, fueled by a trio of passing touchdowns by freshman quarterback Malik Washington in the second quarter. But five other Terps who found themselves honored on Sunday with three along the offensive line.

LT Rahtrel Perry, C Michael Hershey and RG Aliou Bah were all named to PFF’s All-Big Ten Team through week one with CB La’Khi Roland earning the nod as a ‘flex’ pick in the secondary.

Saturday marked the first starts at Maryland for both Perry and Hershey, though Perry joined the program this offseason after starting in all 13 games and playing in 26 at his prior school, Central Connecticut State, while Hershey spent the 2024 season rotating in and learning from veteran portal addition Josh Kaltenberger at center. Bah, one of two returning starters along the offensive line, earned praise as Maryland’s protection held up in week one to not allow a sack for just the fourth time in the last three seasons.

Roland, meanwhile, was one of four players to record their first career interceptions in Saturday’s win while starting CB Dontay Joyner, another portal addition, logged his first career as a Terp in a record-setting day for the defense. Maryland’s six interceptions marked the most in a game in 27 years, but the first one helped spark recognition for what appears to be Maryland’s next rising star on defense.

Fresh off setting a new career high with nine solo tackles, inside linebacker Daniel Wingate was among the players who earned a helmet sticker awarded by ESPN analyst EJ Manuel. Wingate’s ten total tackles led Maryland's defense while his pick six to open the season's scoring not only marked his first career interception, but the program's first pick six since Cam Chism did so against Miami back in 2011.

“Daniel Wingate is a warrior,” head coach Mike Locksley said postgame. “We're very fortunate to have that guy around here. I hate comparisons, but I was around here for a guy who wore number 42 and played heavy handed and physical in EJ Henderson, one of our most decorated players. And I would say he is in that category because his leadership, he plays tough, he plays hard, he plays smart. He has a positive impact on our team in all three phases. He's running out 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, and like I said, I'm looking forward to him having a big year for us.”

Maryland will now shift its attention toward week two for the quickest turnaround of the season as they prepare to host Northern Illinois on Friday night, Sept. 5, for a 7:30 PM kickoff on BTN.

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