The Washington Huskies stormed back from a 20-point deficit to secure their first-ever Big Ten conference road win. The Huskies outscored the Maryland Terrapins 24-0 in the final 17 minutes of the game. Both the offensive and defensive coaching staffs made the right adjustments in the second half, and the players executed at a high level to leave the nation’s capital with a win.
Although the defense struggled in the first half, they still managed to keep the Terrapin offense in check until the offense found its rhythm. The defense surrendered just 13 points in the first half, forced a turnover from Malik Washington, and held Maryland to two field goals. After a tough opening drive to start the third quarter, the defense clamped down, allowing just 52 total yards over Maryland’s final four possessions.
Defensive Line:
The interior defensive line shut down Maryland’s run game. The Terrapins hadn’t generated much on the ground coming into the game, and the D-line ensured that trend continued on Saturday.
Grade: B+
Edge:
Malik Washington’s quick decision-making in the first half made it difficult for the edge rushers to generate pressure. However, they responded well in the second half, consistently pressuring Washington and forcing him to speed up his throws.
Grade: B
Linebackers:
Once again, it took a half for the defense to adjust to Maryland’s offensive game plan. The linebackers were a bit late reacting to crossing routes early on, but they made the necessary adjustments in the second half. From there, they helped limit offensive production around the line of scrimmage. Jacob Manu continues to be a game-changer, both in coverage and against the run.
Grade: B
Defensive Backs:
It’s difficult to evaluate the secondary based on the initial game plan. Washington and the Terrapin receivers effectively exploited soft spots in the zone with quick throws, leaving little opportunity for the defensive backs to make plays. However, once the Huskies switched to man coverage, their physicality overwhelmed Maryland. They shut down horizontal routes and allowed the front seven to pressure Washington when he tried to push the ball vertically.
Grade: B
