ANN ARBOR – The upcoming game on November 25, 2023, between the Michigan Wolverines and the Maryland Terrapins will showcase two true freshman quarterbacks, both of whom are navigating the challenges of their inaugural college seasons. Bryce Underwood of Michigan and Malik Washington of Maryland, both top-100 recruits in their 2025 recruiting class, have had their share of struggles but also flashes of potential.
Underwood enters the matchup after two consecutive games with two interceptions, raising concerns about his decision-making under pressure. In contrast, Washington, who stands at 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 231 pounds, has thrown seven interceptions this season, ranking third among Big Ten quarterbacks. Additionally, he has lost two fumbles, contributing to Maryland’s difficulties on offense. His recent performances have been marked by turnovers, with five of those interceptions occurring in the Terrapins’ last four games—each resulting in a loss and failing to score more than 20 points.
The 18th-ranked Wolverines, boasting an overall record of 8-2 and a conference mark of 6-1, are intent on capitalizing on Washington’s vulnerabilities. After losing the turnover battle against Northwestern last week by a staggering margin of 5-0, Michigan still managed to secure a narrow 24-22 victory. Cameron Brandt, a key edge rusher for Michigan, expressed the team’s strategy, saying, “Having a freshman QB, just going in and understanding that we could kind of just trick them a little bit, mess with them. I feel like just collapse the pocket and bring the pressure on them.”
Despite Washington’s struggles, few teams have successfully pressured him this season. Michigan has opted for a conservative approach with Underwood, who ranks 13th in the Big Ten with 252 passing attempts. In contrast, Washington leads the conference with an impressive 373 attempts, demonstrating his central role in the Terrapins’ offense. He has also been effective on the ground, amassing 269 rushing yards and scoring four touchdowns while being sacked only three times.
Michigan’s defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale, acknowledged the challenge posed by Washington, stating, “It’s hard to slow him down. He gets rid of the ball quick. He’s got a strong arm. He’s a talented kid, and it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”
The Maryland offense initially showed promise, starting the season with a 4-0 record. During that stretch, Washington threw for at least 250 yards in each game and recorded eight of his 13 touchdown passes. However, the Terrapins are currently on a six-game losing streak, having failed to score more than 20 points in each of those matches. The Wolverines’ defense, which has managed only one takeaway in their last two outings, is eager for a more productive performance against Maryland, who has committed 12 turnovers this season, the fifth-most in the Big Ten.
Michigan defensive back TJ Metcalf highlighted the team’s focus on creating turnovers, saying, “They like to throw the ball a lot. We always talk about wanting to continue to make plays and get interceptions. I know the linebackers get a lot of love with the picks. Shout out to them boys. But I like our chances. I like that they throw the ball a lot more.”
Washington has also shown a knack for distributing the ball among his talented receiving corps. Players like Shaleak Knotts, Octavian Smith Jr., and Jalil Farooq have each recorded between 363 and 496 receiving yards this season. In comparison, Michigan’s leading receiver, freshman Andrew Marsh, has 565 yards, followed by Donaven McCulley with 442. The disparity in depth among their receiving options could prove critical in the matchup.
Martindale emphasized the challenge posed by Maryland’s talented receivers, stating, “Their skill is very talented across the board, and they’re all capable of making a big play at any time. That puts a lot of stress on the defensive coordinator. But it puts a lot of stress on your defense, too. You have to tackle well. You have to play with great effort and angles. All the pillars that we talk about.”
As the Wolverines prepare for this pivotal game, the looming regular season finale against top-ranked Ohio State on November 29 adds a layer of urgency. Yet, Martindale and his players remain focused on the task at hand, emphasizing the importance of not overlooking the Terrapins. “I’m focused on Maryland. You can’t afford to do anything else,” Martindale stated. “We’re in playoff football mode, and that part’s getting closer to the NFL than anything else. We know what’s ahead, and it’s still all out in front of us, so we got to have a great Tuesday, a great Wednesday, a great Thursday, a great Friday before we go down to Maryland.”
