Tag: Maryland

Maryland QB Malik Washington staying put in ‘26

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Malik Washington, a former five-star quarterback recruit coming out of high school, is returning to Maryland for the 2026 season, the program announced.

Washington is from Severn, Md., and elected to stay home for college over numerous other offers. It was unknown whether he would test the transfer portal following a 4-8 season for the Terrapins.

“Representing this team, this area, means so much to me and my family,” Washington said in a statement Saturday. “This is home and we’re going to continue keeping the best athletes from this area here with the Terps. I believe in everyone in our facility and I know we’re building something that our fans will be excited about for years to come.”

Washington beat out two other quarterbacks for the starting job as a true freshman, and he completed 57.7% of this throws for 2,963 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 games. He added 303 yards and four TDs on the ground.

However, Maryland dropped the final eight games of the season after a 4-0 start. The program announced last month that it would retain head coach Mike Locksley.

–Field Level Media

Alessio Milivojevic helps Michigan State avoid history it didn’t want

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Freshman Alessio Milivojevic threw a career-high four touchdown passes and Michigan State snapped its eight-game losing streak with a 38-28 victory over Maryland on Saturday at Ford Field in Detroit.

Alante Brown added a 92-yard kickoff return touchdown as the Spartans (4-8, 1-8 Big Ten) avoided becoming the first Michigan State team to lose all of its league games since joining the Big Ten in 1953.

Milivojevic did most of his damage in the first half and finished the game 27 of 39 for 292 yards and one interception.

Maryland (4-8, 1-8) rallied in the second half but suffered its eighth straight loss, matching the longest losing streak of coach Mike Locksley’s seven-year tenure and the second longest skid in program history.

Freshman Malik Washington completed 38 of 61 passes for 459 yards with three touchdowns and one interception for the Terrapins. His competitions, attempts and yardage were all career highs.

Michigan rolled up 453 yards while Maryland finished with 534 yards, its most in a game since last season’s opener.

Milivojevic repeatedly attacked the middle of the Maryland defense, finding receivers open between the hash marks.

Nick Marsh had seven receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown while Jack Velling made five catches for 68 yards and another score.

Milivojevic’s biggest completion came when the Spartans, holding a 31-28 lead, made a bold call, going for it on fourth-and-7 from the Terrapins’ 10 with two minutes left in the game.

Milivojevic found Omari Kelly open in the back of the end zone for the clinching touchdown.

Michigan State scored on the game’s opening possession as Milivojevic capped a 70-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Kai Rios.

After Martin Covington increased the Spartans’ lead to 10-0 with a 25-yard field goal, Milivojevic fired a 15-yard touchdown pass to Marsh less than four minutes into the second quarter.

Washington countered with his first touchdown pass of the game, a 7-yard toss to the back of the end zone to Jalil Farooq to cut the deficit to 17-7 two-and-a-half minutes after the Marsh score.

Milivojevic was clutch again as he threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Velling with just four seconds left in the half, making it 24-7.

In the third quarter, Maryland scored touchdowns on its first three possessions. Washington fired two touchdown passes in the period, but in between came Brown’s kickoff return score, keeping the Spartans in front 31-28.

Elijah Tau-Tolliver carried 13 times for 95 yards for Michigan State.

Farooq had 10 receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns while Shaleak Knotts caught eight passes for 139 yards and a touchdown for Maryland.

–Field Level Media

Bryson Kuzdzal pushes No. 18 Michigan to ninth straight over Maryland

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In his first career start, former walk-on Bryson Kuzdzal rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns to propel No. 18 Michigan to a 45-20 win over Maryland, Saturday in College Park, Md.

Bryce Underwood threw for 215 yards and two touchdowns as the Wolverines (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) kept their hopes alive for a berth in the College Football Playoffs.

Underwood completed 16 of 23 passes without an interception. His top target, Andrew Marsh, caught five passes for 76 yards and a touchdown to help Michigan beat Maryland for the ninth straight time.

Malik Washington completed 19 of 39 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown the Terrapins (4-7, 1-7) lost their seventh straight and saw their hopes of becoming bowl eligible disappear.

The skid matches the longest of coach Mike Locksley’s seven-year tenure at Maryland. Early this week, the school said that Locksley would return next season.

On the game’s opening possession, the Terrapins drove 75 yards, scoring on a 1-yard pass from Washington to Dorian Fleming on a fourth-and-1 play.

Two of the Michigan scoring drives started in Maryland territory as the Terrapins failed to recover an onside kick and Michigan’s Mason Curtis picked off a Washington pass.

The Wolverines tied it, 7-7, when a tightly covered Marsh made an over-the-shoulder catch in the end zone.

On the second play of the second quarter, Kuzdzal capped an 83-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7.

Donaven McCulley increased the lead to 21-7 when he took a wide receiver screen from Underwood and raced 22 yards to the end zone.

Kuzdzal went 19 yards untouched on an off-tackle play to make it 28-10.

After Sean O’Haire kicked his second field goal for Maryland, Kuzdzal scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 35-13.

Kuzdzal, a junior who had not carried in a game before this season, was in the lineup because Michigan was without injured Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, who have rushed for a combined 1,728 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Michigan fullback and captain Max Bredeson did not play in the second half. He emerged from the locker room in the third quarter on crutches.

The Wolverines’ backfield injury woes continued in the fourth quarter as Jasper Parker departed minutes after scoring on a 6-yard run.

–Field Level Media

No. 18 Michigan prepares to avoid trap game at Maryland

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While Michigan believes it has a path to a College Football Playoff berth, the Wolverines might have to navigate it with a former walk-on running back in the starting lineup.

With injuries piling up in the backfield, Bryson Kuzdzal could get the call on Saturday when No. 18 Michigan (8-2, 6-1 Big Ten) faces slumping Maryland (4-6, 1-6) in College Park, Md.

Kuzdzal’s rise up the depth chart has come after injuries to Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall, who have rushed for a combined 1,728 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said on Monday that Haynes, who was the Big Ten rushing leader when he suffered a foot injury last month, is likely to miss the Wolverines’ final two regular-season games.

Moore added that Marshall is day-to-day after sustaining a shoulder injury in Michigan’s 24-22 come-from-behind victory Saturday at Northwestern.

The next man up is Kuzdzal, a junior who had not participated beyond special teams in his first two seasons with the Wolverines.

In 25 carries this year, Kuzdzal has 106 yards, half of which came last week at Northwestern as Michigan pushed its winning streak to four games.

“If Bryson has to be the guy, I feel very comfortable with him,” Moore said. “He’s explosive, probably faster than Jordan, probably not as strong.”

Also emerging Saturday for the Wolverines was wideout Andrew Marsh, who broke out with 12 receptions for 189 yards, both season highs for the true freshman.

Moore added that Marsh will likely take over as the Wolverines’ punt returner, providing an injection of speed to a unit that is averaging just 2.8 yards per return, third-lowest in the conference.

Maryland is reeling after losing six straight, but the Terrapins can find inspiration Saturday with news that coach Mike Locksley will be back for his eighth season next year.

On Sunday, Maryland athletic director Jim Smith posted an open letter on the school’s website supporting Locksley and vowing that the school will increase funding for the program.

“To have (administrators) now that share the same special vision that I have, while also seeing the foundation of what we have when we didn’t have all the resources that we needed, I’m excited,” Locksley said on Tuesday. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The Terrapins can still make something out of this season, as wins over Michigan and Michigan State would make them bowl eligible for the fourth time in the last five years.

During its skid, Maryland has regressed on offense. The Terrapins scored their season low in a 24-6 loss on Saturday at Illinois. It was also the first game that true freshman quarterback Malik Washington failed to throw a touchdown pass.

In its first season in the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland beat Michigan. Since then, the Wolverines have won all eight meetings.

With Michigan facing its annual rivalry game against Ohio State on Nov. 29, Moore said that the Wolverines are not taking anything for granted against the Terrapins.

“There’s nothing about this game that is a trap game,” Moore said. “This is about a really good team that if you don’t play well, you will get beat.”

–Field Level Media

Maryland retains coach Mike Locksley for 2026 campaign

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Despite a six-game losing streak, Maryland coach Mike Locksley will return for the 2026 season, athletic director Jim Smith said on Sunday.

The Terrapins went 4-8 in 2024 and rebounded to win their first four games this season before falling on hard times. Maryland has been outscored 114-36 in its last three games, including Saturday’s 24-6 road loss against Illinois.

Smith said the university needs to increase financial support for the program.

“Coach Locksley needs — and deserves — the full support of our department, our university, and all of Terp Nation,” Smith said in an open letter addressed to Terp Nation. “We are fully committed to giving him and our student-athletes the resources and investments necessary to succeed. I have worked closely with Coach Locksley to rapidly strengthen our NIL support for 2026 and beyond, with a clear and focused effort on roster retention, recruiting, and being highly competitive in the transfer portal.”

Locksley, 55, has a 37-47 record in eight seasons at the school, including a six-game interim stint in 2015. He guided the Terrapins to three straight bowl victories (2021-23) before the dropoff. His contract runs through the 2027 season.

Last season, Maryland was just 1-8 in Big Ten play. This season, the Terrapins are 1-6 in conference play entering Saturday’s home contest against Michigan.

Smith, who became AD six months ago, said a deep review of the football program will occur after the season.

“At the conclusion of the season, Coach Locksley, senior deputy athletic director Diana Sabau and I will review every aspect of our football program to make sure we are focused on getting the right type of resources in the right places to build a successful football program in this new era of college football.”

The team’s 4-0 start included a 27-10 win over Wisconsin in its Big Ten opener.

Maryland hasn’t recorded a double-digit winning season since Ralph Friedgen led the Terrapins to 10 or more victories in three straight seasons from 2001-03.

–Field Level Media

Luke Altmyer throws 2 TD passes as Illinois throttles Maryland

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Luke Altmyer threw two touchdown passes to Hudson Clement and Illinois sent Maryland to its sixth straight loss, 24-6 in Champaign, Ill. on Saturday.

Altmyer completed 15-of-25 passes for 172 yards and had one interception as Illinois (7-3, 4-3 Big Ten) won its second straight game.

Clement caught three passes for 72 yards and the Fighting Illini rushed for 225 yards, including 81 by Kaden Feagin on 14 carries.

Malik Washington completed 25-of-46 passes for 238 yards and one interception for the Terrapins (4-6, 1-6).

Maryland only rushed the ball for 55 yards on 18 attempts.

Maryland needs to beat Michigan and Michigan State to reach bowl eligibility and the loss will likely fuel further debate about the fate of head coach Mike Locksley.

Leading 14-6 to start the second half, the Illini went 67 yards in seven plays (five runs) to increase the lead to 21-6. On second-and-1 at the 23, Altmyer found Clement all alone at the five and he scored his second touchdown of the day.

On their next possession, Illinois drove 61 yards to the Maryland 1-yard line, but the 14-play drive came up empty after Altmyer’s fourth-and-goal pass from the two was incomplete with 1:31 left in the third quarter.

Washington then led the Terps 95 yards to a first-and-goal at the Illinois three, but the defense stiffened, and Washington’s fourth-down pass was incomplete.

Maryland was 3-for-12 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth.

Illinois drove again and this time got points. After a holding penalty wiped out an Altmyer touchdown run, David Olano’s 33-yard field goal made 24-6 with 4:19 remaining.

Maryland took a 3-0 lead on Sean O’Haire’s 29-yard field goal on the opening drive.

Late in the first quarter, Maryland went for it on fourth-and-1 at the Illinois 49 and failed to convert. Seven plays later, Altmyer found Clement for a 22-yard touchdown and Illinois led 7-3.

After a short punt midway through the second quarter, the Terps started on the Illini 46 and O’Haire later connected from 43 yards to make it 7-6.

Illinois took the ensuing kickoff and went 75 yards in 13 plays. Altmyer hit Clement for 27 yards to the 25 and, seven plays later, Feagin went up the middle for a three-yard touchdown with 1:38 left in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Illinois stands in way of Maryland’s postseason mission

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A five-game losing streak stands to crush Maryland’s bowl hopes as the Terrapins visit Illinois on Saturday.

Maryland (4-5, 1-5 in the Big Ten) needs to find success in a hurry with games at Champaign, Ill, home against No. 18 Michigan and at Ford Field against Michigan State.

Since surrendering a 20-0 second half lead against visiting Washington on Oct. 4 and losing 24-20, the Terrapins have been reeling. They suffered a 35-20 loss at Rutgers last Saturday.

“Despite a few challenging weeks here the last four or five weeks, our team keeps showing up and giving the type of effort we need to have,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said. “They’re coming in and they’re putting in the work.”

The losing skid fed public discourse about Locksley’s future. Now in his seventh season and sporting a 16-40 record against the Big Ten, Locksley said “no” when asked if he felt he was coaching for his job over the final three games. His contract runs through 2027.

Things are looking brighter for Bret Bielema at Illinois (6-3, 3-3). The Fighting Illini are coming off a bye with a trip to Wisconsin sandwiched between home games with Maryland and Northwestern.

Quarterback Luke Altmyer led Illinois to a 35-13 rout of Rutgers to snap a two-game skid before the open week. He threw for 235 yards and ran for 88. He had a career-high five touchdowns – four passing and one rushing and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Wide receiver Hank Beatty had his third touchdown reception of the season. He has 49 catches for 730 yards for an Illinois offense that is averaging 33.1 points per game, which would be the highest total in school history ahead their 32.5 average in 2010.

“There’s just so many good things happening on the offensive side right now, it’s fun to see it play out,” Bielema said.

Illinois is postseason eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11. The team is 10-2 at home over the past two seasons.

“Illinois will obviously be a tough task on the road, but I know that our team is excited about the opportunity and being able to put the last four or five weeks behind us and getting back on the right side of the ledger,” Locksley said.

Locksley served as the offensive coordinator at Illinois from 2005-08.

Maryland trailed 21-17 at the half against Rutgers last Saturday but gained only 83 total yards in the second half, managing just a 44-yard field goal by Sean O’Haire.

A bright spot was Malik Washington, who had a career-high 164 rushing yards on just eight attempts (20.5 yards per rush), setting a school record for rushing yards by a freshman quarterback. That included a 73-yard first quarter touchdown run.

“It’s a 4-5 football team but … [they] came in last week against Rutgers, scored on the second play of the game with a quarterback run game, “Bielema said. “He’s very, very talented. Very opportunistic group, so a tremendous challenge coming here.”

Maryland leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally with 17 interceptions and has at least one pick in seven straight games.

The Terrapins lead the all-time series 2-1. The teams last met Oct. 14, 2023 at Maryland and Altmyer passed for two touchdowns in a 27-24 Illinois win.

–Field Level Media

Rutgers, Maryland set to duel amid familiar struggles

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Since entering the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland and Rutgers have never competed for a conference title.

Both teams are on familiar turf as they prepare to meet Saturday in Piscataway, N.J., with both struggling to achieve bowl eligibility.

One more commonality for Maryland (4-4, 1-4) and Rutgers (4-5, 1-5) is the growing discontent from their fan bases, which heightened last week.

Maryland’s 55-10 loss at home to No. 2 Indiana was the Terrapins’ fourth straight. It came after a trio of frustrating Big Ten defeats in games in which they held late fourth-quarter leads.

Late in the game against Indiana, in which Maryland’s defense surrendered 588 yards, groups of fans chanted for the departure of coach Mike Locksley, who has a 37-45 record in his seven seasons.

“I probably would have chanted it too if I had a few beers and we played the way we played,” Locksley said Tuesday. “We’re in the entertainment business. I get judged to win games.”

Meanwhile, Rutgers lost for the fifth time in its last six games last Saturday, falling at Illinois 35-13. The Scarlet Knights have surrendered at least 31 points in each of the five defeats.

“We’re getting better on defense,” Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said Monday. “I just think that until you make big steps, it doesn’t show in the results, but there is incremental improvement going on all over the place. I’m hoping that this week it surfaces.”

Considering the recent form of the defenses of the Terrapins and Scarlet Knights, Saturday’s matchup could be a shootout.

Rutgers is equipped for such a game as Athan Kaliakmanis leads the Big Ten in completions (190) and passing yards (2,476), while Antwan Raymond ranks third in rushing yards with 760.

Maryland will counter with true freshman Malik Washington, who has thrown for 1,958 yards and accounted for 15 total touchdowns.

“Young quarterback, but immensely talented. We know him well. We recruited him,” Schiano said. “Malik is everything you want in a quarterback. He’s big, he’s strong, got great arm talent, tremendous human being.”

Rutgers won 31-17 at Maryland the last time these teams met in November 2024, as Kaliakmanis threw for 238 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

-Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Khobie Martin (28) rushes during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

No. 2 Indiana routs Maryland with its running game

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Fernando Mendoza threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score as No. 2 Indiana overwhelmed Maryland during a 55-10 Big Ten victory on Saturday in College Park, Md.

The Heisman Trophy candidate completed 14 of 21 passes for 201 yards and one interception as Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) continued its remarkable turnaround under second-year coach Curt Cignetti.

Cignetti has guided the Hoosiers to a perfect start through nine games in both seasons since arriving from James Madison.

Kaelon Black (14 carries, 110 yards), former Maryland starter Roman Hemby (18 carries, 88 yards) and Khobie Martin (11 carries, 80 yards) each scored on a touchdown run for Indiana.

The Hoosiers’ rushing attack rolled up 367 yards as Indiana controlled the ball for 39:35. Indiana’s dominance was such that Mendoza turned the quarterback duties over to his younger brother, Alberto Mendoza, after completing a pass on the first play of the fourth quarter.

It was the fourth straight loss for Maryland (4-4, 1-4), which entered with the best turnover margin in the nation (+1.57 per game). The Terrapins threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles that the Hoosiers turned into 24 points.

Louis Moore and Kaiden Turner made the interceptions for Indiana. Devan Boykin added a strip/scoop/score in the fourth quarter that covered 32 yards.

The play came in the middle of a third-quarter spree when Indiana scored three touchdowns in a span of 2:06 to turn a 20-10 lead into a 41-10 blowout.

Indiana did it most of the way without Elijah Sarratt, who leads the Big Ten in touchdown receptions with 10. Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury in the opening minutes and didn’t return.

It was the first game of his career without a catch, ending his FBS-high 46-game streak with at least one reception.

The Hoosiers turned to Omar Cooper Jr., who caught seven passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. His 22-yard reception, his eighth score of the year, put Indiana up 17-3 with 4:53 left in the first half.

The Hoosiers overcame a slow start as Fernando Mendoza suffered just his fourth interception on the game’s third snap. Jamare Glasker’s 32-yard return set up a 24-yard field goal by Sean O’Haire that gave Maryland a 3-0 lead.

On Indiana’s next possession, Sidney Stewart and Eyan Thomas combined for a sack of Fernando Mendoza to help force a three-and-out.

But from there, it was all Indiana as the Hoosiers cashed in with seven touchdowns and two field goals on their next nine possessions.

In the fourth quarter, Alberto Mendoza threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Brady and added a 53-yard run to set up another score.

Malik Washington completed 16 of 31 passes for 242 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions for Maryland. He also was stripped of the ball that Boykin returned for a score to make it 34-10 at 8:41 of the third. The Terps finished with just 37 rushing yards on 17 attempts.

–Field Level Media

Indiana's E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.

No. 2 Indiana begins run of Big Ten bottom-dwellers at Maryland

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No. 2 Indiana and Maryland welcomed new quarterbacks this season who have been game-changers for their respective offenses.

While it has translated to team success for the Hoosiers and Heisman Trophy candidate Fernando Mendoza, the Terrapins have failed to improve despite flashes of brilliance from true freshman Malik Washington.

Mendoza and Indiana (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) hope to ride their momentum and extend the three-game losing streak of Maryland (4-3, 1-3) when the teams meet Saturday in College Park, Md.

After moving up a notch to their highest ranking in program history, the high-flying Hoosiers are looking at a November schedule which includes teams that have a combined conference record of 1-17.

In a press conference on Monday, Indiana’s Curt Cignetti sounded like a coach concerned about his players becoming overconfident as he heaped praise on Maryland.

“They fly around on defense. They create turnovers. They sack the quarterback,” Cignetti said. “And offensively they’re protecting the quarterback, protecting the ball, making explosive plays and have a good kicking game.”

Cignetti also pointed out that Maryland has been victimized by misfortune. In each of their losses, the Terrapins held the lead with four minutes left.

“They’re outscoring people the first three quarters, 175-50,” Cignetti said, without mentioning that Maryland also has been out-scored 44-7 in the fourth quarter during its three-game skid.

In its most recent defeat, 20-17 at UCLA on Oct. 18, Maryland surrendered a touchdown and two field goals in the final 3:33.

In his Tuesday press conference, Maryland coach Mike Locksley pointed out that the Terrapins’ lack of depth has proven costly late in games, especially when injuries have mounted.

“What I have to do as a head coach is find a way to make sure those guys are available to finish games,” Locksley said.

Last week, while Maryland had a bye, Indiana dominated UCLA 56-6 as Mendoza threw three touchdown passes and former Maryland starter Roman Hemby ran for two scores.

Hemby (513 rushing yards) teams with Kaelon Black (509 rushing yards) in a potent Indiana backfield.

“Both those two backs are a little different,” Locksley said. “Roman, as we know, is a home-run hitter.”

The Hoosiers average 264 yards per game passing and 230.5 yards per game on the ground in a balanced offense that has long been a signature of Cignetti’s teams.

Mendoza’s efficiency is illustrated by his passer rating (188.5), which is second in the nation. Mendoza also is completing 72.9% of his passes and leads the nation with 24 touchdown passes while throwing only three interceptions.

For Maryland, Washington is one of three Power Four true freshmen who has thrown for at least 200 yards in each of his first seven games in a season this century.

His goal for now is to remedy the Terrapins’ lack of efficiency in the red zone. Maryland has scored touchdowns on 42.3% of its trips inside the 20-yard line, which is the lowest mark in the Big Ten.

“You come away with, not just points, but touchdowns, that kind of changes the game,” Washington said. ” … Those are the body blows that we need to be able to put opponents away.”

– Field Level Media