Maryland football’s Malik Washington and Michigan’s Bryce Underwood sat at the top of the past recruiting class.
Underwood was the No. 1 quarterback, while Washington slotted at No. 5. The pair’s teams sit in drastically different positions.
The Wolverines’ 45-20 win over the Terps on Saturday heightened those contrasts. Michigan remains in the College Football Playoff picture with the win. Maryland’s loss leaves Washington and the team with a seemingly meaningless game at Michigan State next week.
“It’s my job to keep [the team] engaged,” coach Michael Locksley said. “The way you do it is you continue to show them signs of progress, where they play well, and things they do in small areas of progress.”
The freshman clash at SECU Stadium left another statement on the duo: Underwood is supported better than Washington.
The Wolverines entered third in the Big Ten in rushing yards, first in rushing touchdowns and allowing 17.7 points per game. The Terps’ ground game has been the conference’s worst for most of the season. Maryland’s defense conceded 114 points over the last three games going into Saturday.
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Those disparities continued. The Wolverines rushed for 228 yards and Underwood threw two touchdowns after entering with a Big Ten-low seven. Washington tossed one touchdown and an interception, while a reeling defense and struggling skill group failed to alleviate pressure.
“Bryce played a good game, played a complete game, kept the ball clean, didn’t turn the ball over,” Washington said. “Me and Bryce will talk a little bit, not too much, but I’m proud to see what he’s doing.”
The Terps (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) broke a six-quarter touchdown drought with one on their opening drive, their second of such this season. An ensuing failed onside kick gave Michigan a short field.
Underwood capitalized with a 12-yard touchdown to receiver Andrew Marsh, who made a one-handed catch. The Terps’ next drive ended when tight end Dorian Fleming dropped a pass and running back DeJuan Williams was stuffed for a loss on third down.
Williams came in averaging 3.7 yards per carry, while Fleming led Big Ten tight ends with five drops.
“We just missed on some explosive plays, whether it be an interception on defense, deep shot down the sideline,” Locksley said. “We’re just missing … it’s my job to get us to hit those plays.”
The Wolverines (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten) ran for a touchdown on the next drive before Washington tossed an interception off the hands of Shaleak Knotts. Underwood slung another touchdown against a hapless secondary — building an early two-score lead that only increased.
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Knotts and fellow-seniors Octavian Smith Jr. and Jalil Farooq are Maryland’s leading receivers. While each recorded more than 60 yards against Michigan, they boast just four touchdowns in Big Ten play.
“I’m just kind of upset the way that their last season is going,” Washington said about the seniors. “But we still have a chance to finish strong next week.”
Michigan’s Bryson Kuzdzal, the team’s third-string running back starting due to injuries, rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns. Underwood completed just two passes in the second half, where he was taken out with more than 10 minutes left, while Washington attempted 39 total throws.
Locksley said in the week that extending Maryland’s season into December was a “needed, needed, needed opportunity.”
The Terps instead won’t be making a bowl game for the second consecutive season. They’re at the point of playing for what Locksley described as “slow progress” — beating Michigan State and earning two Big Ten wins, one more than a year ago.
Landing Washington, a Glen Burnie native, is likely a major reason first-year athletic director Jim Smith announced last weekend that Locksley would return next season. But Locksley is now 0-20 in games against ranked conference foes and Washington has regressed as the season’s progressed.
Underwood’s decimation of the Terps’ defense and consistent improvement could spawn questions around Washington’s development. Improvements have to be made around him to have a chance at a jump next season.
