Maryland true freshman Malik Washington carved up Towson’s defense by throwing for 261 yards and a touchdown in a 44-17 victory Saturday in College Park, Md.
Before retiring to the bench in the third quarter, Washington completed 16 of 22 passes and ran for the first touchdown of his college career as Maryland (3-0) extended its FBS-best nonconference winning streak to 18 games.
Washington was intercepted for the first time in his career on a tipped pass in the third quarter. But three plays later, the Terrapins’ La’Khi Roland answered with an interception in the end zone and raced 100 yards to give Maryland a 41-0 lead early in the second half.
The last Maryland defensive player to score on a 100-yard interception return was Tom Brown in 1962.
Also rushing for Maryland touchdowns were DeJuan Williams, who carried 12 times for 47 yards, and Nolan Ray, who added nine rushes for 23 yards.
Andrew Indorf, also a true freshman, completed 12 of 25 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown for Towson (2-1), which gained 220 of its 281 yards in the second half.
Maryland gained 324 of its 428 yards in the first half.
The Terrapins improved to 4-0 against their in-state foe in the series, outscoring the Tigers 173-43 in those games. They also improved to 23-0 against FCS-level teams since 1978.
Maryland cashed in on all six of its possessions in the first half. Field goals by Sean O’Haire of 37 and 39 yards bookended four touchdowns as the Terrapins held a 34-0 lead at the half.
Washington set up Maryland’s first touchdown with a 53-yard strike to Octavian Smith Jr. On the next play, Williams scored on a 2-yard run for a 10-0 lead. Smith finished with four receptions for 103 yards.
The next time the Terrapins got the ball, Washington highlighted a 78-yard drive with a 33-yard pass to Shaleak Knotts. On the next play, Washington scored on a 2-yard run.
Early in the second quarter, Washington and Knotts teamed up again on a 32-yard touchdown play which boosted Maryland’s lead to 24-0. Knotts finished with four receptions for 79 yards.
Towson avoided a shutout late in the third quarter when Indorf threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Lukkas Londono.
The Tigers’ Nathan Kent came off the bench in the fourth quarter and completed an 84-yard touchdown pass down the middle to Jaceon Doss.
