Maryland football "jumps" past Wisconsin, debuts conference opener in dominant fashion

jmcconn3
Sep 20
3 min read

Maryland football kicked off their conference play campaign with a 27-10 statement win over the Wisconsin Badgers on the road, now entering the bye week a perfect 4-0.

The Terps came into Camp Randall Stadium “jumping” all over the field. Freshman defensive lineman Zahir Mathis made the first statement of the game with a 38-yard field goal block to prevent the Badgers first scoring chance of the game.

The defensive party would continue for Maryland, with the next defensive drive for them would create a Sidney Stewart sack on former Terps Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. The next play after, safety Jalen Huskey would grab his first interception of the season against his former teammate, marching the Terps inside the five-yard line in the red zone.

“The quarterback looked to one, and he never took his eyes off it, so I trusted what I saw,” Huskey said. “I saw the ball in the air, when the ball is in the air it’s my ball.”

Enter quarterback Malik Washington. On his first road game he would make an early statement, trotting into the endzone for the first score of the game.

The block party would continue for Maryland’s defense, this time the block was served from defensive back Messiah Delhomme, his second straight week with a blocked punt for the freshman.

The blocked punt would eventually lead to another score for the Maryland offense, Washington would connect with wide receiver Shaleak Knotts to extend the lead to 14-0.

Head coach Mike Locksley was impressed with the motivation and pride that his team was displaying throughout the week and the game which translated to the victory today, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

“Our defense was once again, very dominant for four quarters,” Locksley said. “Special teams really set the stage for us early with the two big block kicks.”

The Terps would continue to extend their lead, with kicker Sean O’Haire nailing his season-long field goal from 49-yards. O’Haire would be set up for another field goal to have the Terps go up 20-0 ending the first half from a 48-yard completion from Washington to Octavian Smith Jr.

“Coach called the shot play, we came out of it, I saw a good leverage, and I knew five [Octavian Smith Jr.] is a guy that can make a play,” Washington said.

This was the second game this season that the defense held its opponent to a scoreless first half.

The second half started off with some life showing for the Badgers, finally getting on the board with a field goal and forcing Maryland to three straight three-and-outs.

Fireworks began to spark for the Maryland offense yet again after a slow start to the second half. Washington would launch a 62-yard missile to Knotts for his second touchdown of the game, resulting in the biggest play of the game.

Knotts noted how the skills and explosiveness that Washington brings help propel Maryland to get the necessary wins.

“It’s something special about him, he just has the spark,” Knotts said. “He had to come in and make sure his receivers were on the same page early in the offseason and I feel like him picking up his first Big 10 win, that’s great.”

The Terps' defense continued their dominance throughout the rest of the game, cashing in on a total of six sacks and extending their interception total to eight, leading the country in that category. The six sacks marked the most by Maryland's defense since 2021 vs. Illinois, while the team's ten TFLs marked the most since 2020 vs. Rutgers. Maryland also allowed just ten points, the fewest since 2020 vs. Rutgers.

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