In his first start, Malik Washington entered Maryland football’s record books with 258 passing yards — the most in a true freshman’s debut in program history. While the four-star recruit garnered praise for Saturday’s win, he was not the only impactful freshman.
Defensive linemen Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart paced the Terps to a lead with game altering plays against Florida Atlantic before Washington led his first touchdown drive. The duo was part of a large group of freshmen who provided immediate results.
Midway through the first quarter, Mathis dashed off the edge unblocked and hit quarterback Caden Veltkamp as he threw, forcing an errant pass into the arms of linebacker Daniel Wingate for a pick-six. Stewart sacked Veltkamp in his own endzone for a safety in the second quarter, leading to Washington’s first career touchdown.
The pair are part of a plethora of young players on Maryland’s defense who thrived in the season-opener and look ready to lead a revamped unit.
“To add the depth that we’ve added as pass rushers and playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, it was a point of emphasis for us,” coach Michael Locksley said. “To see them play well and still have room to learn and grow … it’s encouraging for us.”
The Terps ended with six interceptions for the first time since 1998 — despite having two called back for penalties. Redshirt freshman Braydon Lee collected his first career pick in the fourth quarter, and Mathis’ pressure led to Wingates’ first career takeaway to open scoring.
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Stewart, who finished with a team-high three pressures, said he “damn near cried” when Mathis made the play. The three-star recruit added the Terps’ freshman defenders share a special camaraderie, often bonding over differences in upbringings.
“All the freshmen, everybody in this class, can ball,” Stewart said. “We do this in practice … really nothing new.”
Stewart’s safety was one of Maryland’s three sacks — a mark it reached only three times in 2024, when it ranked last in the Big Ten with 14 sacks. Mathis recorded half a sack in the first quarter when FAU went for it on fourth down — leaving an opposing lineman on the turf with an in-and-out move.
Freshman defensive back Jayden Shipps, who teammates noted as a breakout candidate, also notched a sack.
The Archbishop Spalding product is part of an overhauled Terps’ secondary. Maryland finished with the third-most passing yards allowed in the Big Ten last season and tied for fewest passes defended in the conference.
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But the defensive backfield flourished against the Owls. Transfer outside cornerbacks Dontay Joyner and Jamare Glasker surrendered just 16 combined receiving yards on six targets each. Maryland conceded below eight yards a completion and gave up only one pass of over 25 yards. The Terps rank first among all Power Four teams with a coverage grade of 92 after week one, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Being able to get our hands on turnovers and the defensive backs contesting catches, I thought they played really well,” Locksley said.
While Mathis, Stewart and Lee were the only freshman who started defensively for Maryland, six others saw playing time. The young players provided an early spark of optimism for a unit that allowed over 30 points a game last season.
“We [are] almost so young that we don’t even know what to feel,” Stewart said. “You don’t even get the chance to be nervous because we don’t even know what to expect — we honestly just go out there and play.”
