College Park, MD — The Maryland Terrapins opened their season in a Week 1 matchup against the Florida Atlantic Owls. And the home team ended up winning in convincing fashion in front of the home crowd at College Park in SECU Stadium.
Florida Atlantic vs. Maryland Week 1 Recap
The Terps Get to Work
Maryland started off sloppily in the game’s opening series, committing five penalties that allowed FAU to extend their series. However, the Terrapins defense responded with a suffocating pass rush that never allowed the Owls’ Air Raid offense to get off the ground.
Maryland junior linebacker Daniel Wingate was a force for the defense in run support and helped to contain the Owls’ rushing attack. In the postgame press conference, Maryland head coach showered his linebacker with effusive praise, calling him “a warrior”. Wingate had 10 tackles with one for a loss and got Maryland on the board with an interception return for a touchdown to give Maryland the early 7-0 lead.
In the secondary, Lavain Scruggs also helped to keep the Owls’ offense in check. The defensive back recorded a diving interception off an errant pass from Caden Veltkamp. One of the biggest storylines heading into the contest was who starts under center for the Terrapins.
UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and Malik Washington were engaged in a battle for the starting job at Maryland prior to Week 1. Coach Locksley held his cards close to his vest before announcing Saturday morning that Washington would be named the starter.
For Washington, it took him a while to settle in. He had a few throws he would like to have back, but once Maryland was able to identify the coverages of the Owls’ defense, things opened up for Washington and the passing game. Once Washington found his footing, he was efficient from the pocket and completed 63-percent of his passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns. Washington did a great job of spreading the ball around as he found nine different receivers.
Fans should give a lot of credit to new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. The offensive coordinator countered pressure looks from FAU with quick crossing patterns to get the ball out of Washington’s hands quickly and in the hands of his playmakers. Coach Locksley expressed confidence in all of his quarterbacks but said that he felt that Washington gave his team the best chance to win.
Washington attacked the middle of the field, where the FAU defense was most vulnerable in coverage. Washington’s favorite receivers were Dorian Fleming (six catches, 36 yards, and a touchdown) and Shaleak Knotts (five catches, 59 yards, and a touchdown).
Owls Get Grounded
As for Florida Atlantic, it’s a deflating start to the season. FAU had generated a lot of buzz for Zach Kittley’s first year as head coach and his high-flying offense coming over from Texas Tech. However, the offensive line’s protection hampered the vertical passing game, keeping the offense limited to quick throws and screens. Plus, the rushing game was nonexistent thanks to Maryland’s defensive control of the trenches.
Maryland EDGE Sidney Stewart blew past the offensive line to take Veltkamp in the end zone for a safety. And from there, the Terrapins scored 32 unanswered points as FAU could not sustain drives. The Owls were 3-9 on fourth-down attempts, and Veltkamp struggled with accuracy and often threw behind his receivers.
However, the offensive line didn’t put up any resistance. Veltkamp was scrambling behind a leaky unit that couldn’t stay in front of the Maryland defensive line. The pressure was too much for the quarterback as he threw four interceptions. In total, FAU threw six interceptions, the most the Terrapins have gotten in a game since 1998 against Duke. Furthermore, Veltkamp was sacked three times and hit four times before being pulled midway through the fourth quarter.
The lone bright spot of the day for FAU was Easton Messer. The Western Kentucky transfer had 15 receptions for 87 yards and continued to be a safety valve for his quarterback.
Florida Atlantic Owls: Week 1 Quotes
After the loss, FAU head coach Zach Kittley spoke to the media in his postgame availability.
“I’m extremely proud of our guys,” began Kittley. “We fought the whole game. We didn’t give up. Tough situation there [and] hat’s off to Maryland. They’re coached really well with really good football players over there.
With the offensive line struggling throughout the game, Kittley talked about those difficulties in the matchup.
“Their defensive front was big, long, aggressive. We tried to chip them a couple times [and] we actually missed a chip and the tackle overplayed and we got a safety. Sloppy football by us, not detailed football. First and foremost, we have to dominate the line of scrimmage together.”
Despite the loss, Kittley remains positive. And, believes that positivity will prevail in the end.
“I’m not a negative kind of guy. I’ll always encourage my guys … If your team gives up, you know that you’ll be in trouble, and we did not give up.”
What’s Next?
Florida Atlantic will get a chance to regroup in their home opener against FCS football program Florida A&M on September 6.
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