Maryland sophomore quarterback Malik Washington just dropped a bomb, completing 18 consecutive passes last week against UConn, setting a new school record in the Terps’ 2-0 start. That’s a huge stat for a young signal-caller, and it’s coming right as Virginia Tech rolls into College Park for their first road game of the season this Saturday.
The Hokies Are 2-0, But This Road Trip Is Different
Virginia Tech improved to 2-0 after their 44-21 win over Old Dominion last week, but honestly, if you watched that game, it wasn’t even that close. They made some mistakes that let ODU keep the score a bit more respectable, and head coach James Franklin has got to be hammering those details this week. This isn’t just any road game though, it’s the first road trip of the Franklin era, and it’s deeply personal for him. Franklin was an assistant coach at Maryland twice, even being the offensive coordinator and head coach in waiting at one point. Plans changed with a new athletic director, and Franklin left after the 2010 season. That kind of history? It adds a serious layer to this matchup. The Hokies are ranked 28th in the latest SP+ rankings, down three spots after a big jump in Week 1 to Week 2.
Terps Lookin’ Sharp (and a Head Coach with a Record)
Washington’s record-setting performance against UConn was no fluke, either. He went 34 of 41 for 347 yards and two touchdowns in that win. Across two games against Hampton and UConn, he’s completed a stellar 73.6% of his passes, a huge jump from his 57.7% completion rate as a freshman last season. Now, let’s talk about Terrapins head coach Mike Locksley. His career record stands at 41-75, including a 2-26 run at New Mexico before his 39-49 record in his eighth season with Maryland. Historically, these two teams have met 32 times, with Maryland holding a slight 17-15 edge. The Terps crushed the Hokies 54-10 in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, but it’s fair to remember that probably half of Virginia Tech’s team opted out after their coach was fired. Maryland has won the last two meetings, including a 2016 game. But flip back to 2004-09, when they were ACC rivals, and the Hokies won all four matchups by double digits, including a ridiculous 55-6 triumph in 2004. The Terrapins currently sit at 39th in the SP+ rankings, down two spots from last week.
Franklin’s Maryland Vendetta in the Big Ten Era
When James Franklin took over Penn State in 2014, Maryland also moved to the Big Ten, making them instant conference rivals. That personal history Franklin has with Maryland really made those matchups intense. In 11 meetings, Franklin’s Penn State teams absolutely dominated, going 9-2 against Maryland. Six of those wins were by 30 points or more, including a monstrous 66-3 win in 2017 and a 59-0 shutout in 2019. This dude has a score to settle, even if he plays it down. This Saturday isn’t just another game for him, it’s a chance to put another one in the win column against a program that could have been his. You know he’s looking forward to it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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