Malik Washington: A Magical Debut

Maryland’s season-opening 39-7 win over Florida Atlantic featured the highly-anticipated collegiate debut of true freshman quarterback Malik Washington, and he didn't disappoint in front of thousands of fans at SECU Stadium. 

The Terps’ new offensive leader set many new program benchmarks and recorded numbers that hadn’t been seen in college football since the debuts of several household names that ended up being first-round draft picks in their respective NFL Drafts. 

As the first true freshman to start a season opener for Maryland since Perry Hills in 2012, Washington threw for 258 yards while completing 27 of his 43 attempts and throwing for a trio of touchdown passes, each coming in the second quarter. 

He showed glimpses of his talent early, despite the Terps’ first drive resulting in a punt. Washington’s first pass attempt of his career found Dorian Fleming for 15 yards and a 1st down.

As good as Washington was, it was the defense that got the scoring started for the season on a pick-six from Daniel Wingate. Once the scoring started, the floodgates opened for the Terps’ offense. 

The defense ended up with six interceptions, Maryland’s most since 1998, and was continually getting the ball back to Washington and giving him chances to shine. 

“We don’t get those points without the defenses creating those turnovers,” Washington said. 

From there, Washington and the offense were full speed ahead. He orchestrated three touchdown drives in the second quarter alone, a frame that featured 26 points, Maryland’s most in a quarter since 2019 (Howard), its most in a quarter against an FBS team since 2018 (Bowling Green) and its most in a quarter in a season opener since 2013 (FIU).

“A quarter like that helps build momentum,” Washington said. “Not just for that game, but moving forward throughout the next week and the next.”

Back-to-back drives resulted in back-to-back 29-yard touchdown passes to Shaleak Knotts and Kaleb Webb. He hit a wide-open Knotts in stride on the far sideline for his first collegiate touchdown pass.

“My first touchdown, that’s something I’ll remember forever,” Washington said. 

A few minutes later, a perfectly-placed jump ball to Webb allowed the redshirt junior transfer receiver to come down with Washington’s second score of the quarter. Two straight scoring drives became three as Washington hit Fleming in the red zone, who scampered in for a nine-yard touchdown to give the Terps a 33-7 cushion that they took into the half.

“I think (the turning point) came after the first touchdown,” Washington said after the win. “I feel like everybody feels good after the first touchdown. It was nice getting that one in the books and getting ready to roll from there.”

Washington’s 27 completions are both the most by a true freshman in any game in school history and the most by a true freshman quarterback in a Power Conference debut since Jaxson Dart had 30 for USC in 2021.

He led the Terps to their 14th straight season-opening win over non-conference opponents and pushed Maryland’s nation-leading win streak over non-conference opponents to 16 games. His efforts earned him the Big Ten’s first Freshman of the Week award of the season.

“It was great,” Washington said about finding out about the award. “But it’s a week-by-week thing, so now it’s on to the next week and it’s over with.”

Washington became the first Terp to win a Big Ten weekly accolade since Dante Trader Jr. won Defensive Player of the Week in Week 3 of 2024 and the first Terp to win Freshman of the Week since Roman Hemby in Week 8 of 2022. 

His three touchdown 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 efforts earned him the fourth quarter off, allowing new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and head coach Michael Locksley to observe the full roster of talent that the 2025 Terps boast.

Even though he threw for more passing yards than any true freshman in their debut since 2022, Washington’s not worried about accolades or recognition.

“I think my family and friends care more about those numbers than I do,” Washington said. “To be compared to a great name like Trevor Lawrence is cool, but at the end of the day, we’re just on to the next game. Whatever happened last week is last week, now it’s over with.”

Washington spread the love around, completing passes to nine different receivers and hitting seven guys multiple times. Knotts tallied 59 yards on five receptions while Fleming hauled in six receptions for 39 yards. 

“They were just making plays,” he said. “They made it easy for me by creating separation. That allowed me to take things easier and made the game easier for me.”

Washington's 258 yards through the air were more than Maryland’s offense totaled in four of its games in 2024, and he did it in just three frames. 

“I was just trying to take what the defense gave me without getting too greedy,” he said. Greed can lead to sacks or turnovers, two things Washington avoided in his debut and something he values over the touchdown passes.

“I think not turning the ball over is more important,” Washington said. “The ball is the most important thing in the game, so being able to keep possession of it is the biggest thing we can do.”

After battling in camp and earning the starting job, Washington gained the trust of both his coaches and teammates, a faith that paid off tremendously in the season opener. 

“We can win with all three (quarterback options),” Locksley said after the win. “But we felt Malik gave us the best chance. It’s a calmness and a demeanor that you see. He’s a little older than his years. The best part about it is he’s only going to get better.” 

Of all the stats that came from the Terps’ record-setting win, one stands above them all: 1-0. Maryland is undefeated in 2025, and the future is as bright as the lights will be on Friday night as Washington and his new offense take on Northern Illinois at 7:30 PM.