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  • Maryland Stifles NIU In 20–9 Victory Behind Washington’s Poise, Defensive Surge

Maryland Stifles NIU In 20–9 Victory Behind Washington’s Poise, Defensive Surge

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(BCSNN) — True freshman quarterback Malik Washington threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns to lead Maryland past Northern Illinois 20–9 on Friday night at SECU Stadium. The win extended the Terrapins’ non-conference winning streak to 17 games, the longest active run in the FBS.

Washington completed 19-of-36 passes and overcame a third-quarter fumble to deliver the game’s decisive play — a 42-yard touchdown strike to Shaleak Knotts on fourth down early in the fourth quarter. Tight end Dorian Fleming continued his emergence as a reliable target, catching four passes for 70 yards and a second-quarter touchdown. Running back Nolan Ray led Maryland on the ground with 50 yards on 11 carries, though the Terps managed just 86 rushing yards overall.

Northern Illinois leaned heavily on its run game, with backs Chavon Wright and Telly Johnson Jr. combining for 176 of the Huskies’ 271 total yards. Johnson broke off a 74-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to pull NIU within four, but the Huskies failed to score again. Quarterback Josh Holst completed 14-of-22 passes for 91 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Maryland’s defense held firm in key moments, recording four sacks and limiting NIU to 91 passing yards. Linebacker Daniel Wingate posted a career-high 14 tackles, while Trey Reddick added 11 stops and a quarterback hurry. The Terps allowed just one red-zone score on the night and forced two punts in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

NIU linebacker Quinn Urwiler led the Huskies with 10 tackles, while Filip Maciorowski added six stops and a half-tackle for loss. Despite controlling time of possession (33:35), the Huskies converted just 7-of-20 third downs and failed to capitalize on a Washington fumble deep in their own territory late in the third quarter.

Maryland (2–0) will host Towson next Saturday in its final non-conference matchup before traveling to Wisconsin on Sept. 20. Northern Illinois (1–1) has a bye week before facing Mississippi State on the road in Starkville on Sept. 20, its second Power Four opponent on the Huskies' early-season slate.