University of Maryland Athletics

Football 9/2/2025 10:00:00 AM

Game 2: Maryland vs. NIU Preview

Maryland (1-0) vs. NIU (1-0)

September 5, 2025

SECU Stadium

7:30 PM

Big Ten Network

COLLEGE PARK, MD -- Maryland continues its 2025 season at home, hosting Northern Illinois on Friday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM, with live coverage on BTN and the Maryland Sports Radio Network.

Non-Conference dominance

Maryland has won 16 straight games against non-conference opponents, the longest active streak in the country. Under head coach Michael Locksley, the Terps are 18-1 in non-conference games with wins over Virginia Tech, West Virginia, #23 NC State, #21 Syracuse, Virginia (twice) and Auburn. This is the longest streak for Maryland in the last 40 years.
Mayland's has allowed less than 30 points in each of its 16 consecutive non-conference victories. That is the longest active such streak in the FBS and tied for the longest streak by any Big Ten team over the last 45 years (Minnesota – 2015-19).
In the Locksley era (2019-pres.), Maryland's average of 41.2 points per game in non-conference play ranks seventh in the nation, only trailing Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, Ole Miss and James Madison. The Terps have scored 30+ points in 16-of-19 non-conference games under Locksley.
Maryland's seven straight wins by at least 14 points against non-conference opponents is also the second-longest active streak in FBS (Tennessee-11). The Terps have committed no more than two turnovers in any of their last 24 non-conference games. The only FBS teams with longer active such streaks are LSU (29) and Ohio State (26).
Maryland also owns the longest active winning streak in non-conference games vs. power conference teams with nine consecutive victories. The streak started with a 34-29 victory over Texas in 2018 and includes wins against Auburn, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, NC State, Syracuse, SMU and Virginia (twice).

Maryland Football vs. FAU at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD on Saturday Aug 30, 2025.

Maryland extended its FBS‑longest non‑conference win streak to 16 games with 39‑7 season‑opening victory over Florida Atlantic

Maryland, Niu set for fourth all-time Matchup

Friday will mark the fourth all-time meeting between Maryland and Northern Illinois, with the Terrapins holding a 2-1 lead in the series. All three previous matchups have been decided by 10 points or fewer, and Maryland is undefeated against the Huskies in College Park (2-0).
The two teams last met on September 4, 2004, a tightly contested battle that saw the No. 22-ranked Terps edge NIU 23-20. Terp kicker Nick Novak became the ACC's all-time leading scorer that night, converting three field goals, including makes from 43 and 44 yards to help Maryland hold off a late Huskie rally.
Saturday's matchup will be the first meeting between head coaches Michael Locksley and Thomas Hammock.
The series dates back to 1996, when Maryland recorded its largest win over NIU with a 30-6 victory at home. NIU claimed its lone win in the series in 2003, a 20-13 triumph in DeKalb. The current streak belongs to Maryland, who will look to earn back-to-back wins over the Huskies for the first time in series history.

Defensive Line Coach Corey Liuget, Defensive Line Samuel Adu (52), Defensive Line Dillan Fontus (46)Maryland Football practices at Jones-Hill House in College Park, MD on April 22, 2025.Ian Cox/Maryland Terrapins

The Terps prepare to take on NIU for the first time since 2003.

MALIK'S MAGICAL DEBUT

True freshman Malik Washington's debut game for the Terrapins could hardly have been scripted any better. The Glen Burnie, MD, native completed 27-of-43 passes for 258 yards, three touchdown and zero interceptions vs. Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30 at SECU Stadium.
Washington became the first true freshman to start a season opener for Maryland since Perry Hills in 2012.
Washington became the ninth true freshman to start a game for the Terrapins, following Kasim Hill (2017), Max Bortenschlager (2016), Tyrell Pigrome (2016), Perry Hills (2012), Latrez Harrison (1999) and Randall Jones (1998).
Washington's 3 TD passes were the most in a true freshman's debut in the Big Ten since 2009 (Michigan's Tate Forcier), the most by a true freshman in a Power Conference since 2018 (Clemson's Trevor Lawrence) and the most by a true freshman in a debut against an FBS school since UCLA's Josh Rosen in 2015.
Washington's 27 completions are the most by a Maryland true freshman quarterback in a game in school history.
Washington's 27 completions are the most by a true freshman in a Power Conference debut since Jaxson Dart (USC) had 30 against Washington State in 2021.
Washington's 258 passing yards in just three quarters were more than Maryland accumulated in four of its games in 2024. The Maryland school record for passing yards by a true freshman in a game is 305 by Perry Hills vs. West Virginia in 2012.
Washington had a 62.79 completion percentage on 43 attempts and three passing touchdowns in Week 1. The last Big Ten true freshman to complete at least 60.0 percent of his passes on 40 or more attempts and throw at least three touchdowns in a single game was Purdue's Danny Etling on November 30, 2013 against Indiana.

Quarterback Malik Washington (7)Maryland Terrapins vs FAU Owls at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. Grayson Belanger/Maryland Terrapins

Malik Washington completed 27 of 43 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in his Maryland debut vs. Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30 at SECU Stadium.

Defensive dominance

Maryland recorded six interceptions against Florida Atlantic, its most in a game since 1998 when the Terps picked off Duke seven times, which tied the school's original record set in 1951.
It marked the first time in at least 30 seasons that six different Maryland players each had an interception in the same game. The only other Big Ten team to accomplish that in the same time frame was Iowa (October 1, 2021 vs. Maryland).
The Terps held Florida Atlantic to just seven points, including a shutout over the final three quarters.
Maryland scored twice on defense in the first half — a 20-yard pick-six by Daniel Wingate and a second-quarter safety by Sidney Stewart. Stewart's sack was the first by a Maryland defender to result in a safety since 2002.
Wingate led all defenders with 10 tackles and became the first Maryland player with a pick-six in a season opener since 2011.
The defense forced five turnovers on downs, their most in a single game since the 2023 Music City Bowl.
Maryland recorded 3+ interceptions and 3+ sacks in the same game for the first time since 2013 (vs. Old Dominion).
The Terps posted multiple defensive scores in a single game for the first time since 2013 at UConn.
Maryland shut out FAU 26-0 in the second quarter. It was just the fourth time in the last 30 seasons the Terps had a 25+ point shutout quarter against an FBS opponent, joining 2018 at Bowling Green (4th quarter), 2010 vs. Wake Forest (3rd), and 2002 at West Virginia (1st).

Daniel Wingate returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown against Florida Atlantic.

Special Special Teams

Sean O'Haire went 3-for-3 on field goals (49, 42, 24 yards) and 4-for-4 on extra points in his Maryland debut.
O'Haire became the first Maryland kicker to match that stat line since Chad Ryland (Nov. 26, 2022 vs. Rutgers).
His 49-yard field goal was the longest first-career make by a Maryland kicker since at least 1996.
Bryce McFerson recorded a 60-yard punt in the first quarter, the fourth of his career of 60+ yards.
McFerson is the first Maryland punter with multiple punts of at least 60 yards in a single game since Travis Baltz had two at Miami-FL on November 6, 2010.
McFerson now has 21 punts of 50+ yards in his Maryland career and five career punts of 60+ yards.

Sean O'Haire went 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in his Maryland debut.

Offensive Production

Maryland scored 26 points in the second quarter, its highest-scoring quarter since 2019 (vs. Howard) and highest vs. an FBS opponent since 2018 (vs. Bowling Green).
The Terps finished with 33 first-half points, their most in a season opener vs. an FBS opponent since 2013 (vs. FIU).
Shaleak Knotts led all receivers with 59 yards on five catches and caught his second career touchdown.
Kaleb Webb and Dorian Fleming each caught their first touchdown receptions as Terps.
Fleming became just the second Maryland tight end this century to record at least six receptions and a touchdown in a season opener, joining Corey Dyches (2023). Only five other FBS tight ends accomplished that in Week 1.

Kaleb Webb caught his first touchdown reception as a Terrapin.

New Faces

Head coach Michael Locksley was active in the transfer portal this offseason as Maryland football welcomes 17 transfers.
Offensive lineman Rahtrel Perry was the Terps highest-rated get in the transfer portal per 247Sports. He ranked as the No. 11 offensive tackle in the class after earning All-NEC First Team honors for Central Connecticut State last season.
Defensive back Jamare Glasker arrives in College Park after rating as a Top-20 player at his position nationally in the portal rankings. He started nine games during the 2024 season at Wake Forest, finishing the year with 37 tackles (33 solo) to go along with four pass breakups, three tackles-for-loss and an interception.
Quarterback Justyn Martin is another portal addition who ranked in the Top-20 nationally at his position. While with UCLA last season, Martin started vs. Penn State and went 22-of-30 for 167 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Martin is a former four-star recruit according to 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. He was ranked No. 228 overall by Rivals and the No. 14 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2022.
Wide Receiver Jalil Farooq brings a wealth of experience to College Park as he returns home for his final season. The Lanham, Maryland native played in 36 career games at Oklahoma across four seasons from 2021-24, making 25 starts. In those games, he totaled 89 receptions for 1,287 yards and seven TDs. He also made a significant impact in the return game, compiling 708 yards on 32 kickoff returns.

Coach Locksley was active in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in 17 transfers — including Maryland's highest-rated addition, Rahtrel Perry, according to 247Sports.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Shaleak Knotts: WR; 6' 3"; Senior

#34 Bryce McFerson: P; 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior

#1 Daniel Wingate: LB; 6' 5"; Junior

#7 Malik Washington: QB; 6' 5"; Freshman

#29 Sidney Stewart: DL; 6' 2"; Freshman

#1 Jalil Farooq: WR; 6' 2"; Senior

#6 Justyn Martin: QB; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

#9 Dorian Fleming: TE; 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore

#14 Jamare Glasker: DB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#76 Rahtrel Perry: OL; 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

#4 Shaleak Knotts
: 6' 3"; Senior
: WR

#34 Bryce McFerson
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Junior
: P

#1 Daniel Wingate
: 6' 5"; Junior
: LB

#7 Malik Washington
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: QB

#29 Sidney Stewart
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: DL

#1 Jalil Farooq
: 6' 2"; Senior
: WR

#6 Justyn Martin
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: QB

#9 Dorian Fleming
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Sophomore
: TE

#14 Jamare Glasker
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: DB

#76 Rahtrel Perry
: 6' 5"; Redshirt Junior
: OL