In Week 2 last season, Northern Illinois pulled off perhaps the most inexplicable upset of 2024 by toppling a Notre Dame team that went on to reach the national title game.
This year in Week 2, Northern Illinois (1-0) has a chance to make noise again versus a heavily favored foe — though a victory Friday night at Maryland (1-0) wouldn’t have the same seismic impact.
“We’re playing a Big Ten opponent on national TV,” Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock said on Tuesday. “It’s a great opportunity to see if we can get better from Week 1 to Week 2.”
While Northern Illinois opened last week with an uninspiring 19-17 victory over FCS Holy Cross, Maryland’s opener featured a flashy debut from true freshman quarterback Malik Washington.
In a 39-7 defeat of Florida Atlantic, Washington lived up to his advance notice as a highly touted recruit, completing 27 of 43 passes for 258 yards without an interception.
All three of Washington’s touchdown passes came in the dizzying final eight minutes of the first half when the Terrapins took control of the game.
“This kid is mature beyond the years,” said Maryland coach Mike Locksley. “I saw a young quarterback really put it on himself to deliver some great throws.”
Washington’s promising debut has removed some of the pressure building on Locksley and the program after last year’s 4-8 season that included just one win in the Big Ten.
“To get off to a fast start is igniting,” Locksley said. “To elevate, you have to at least hit the button to start where you want to go.”
After losing 16 players to power-conference schools in the transfer portal, this is a much different Northern Illinois squad than the one that took down Notre Dame. The Huskies have nine new starters on each side of the ball.
Josh Holst, who was the backup at quarterback last year, presents a running threat. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 101 yards with one interception and no touchdowns against Holy Cross.
The Huskies depended on their rushing attack, which produced 180 yards led by Chavon Wright (11 carries, 77 yards, one touchdown) and Telly Johnson Jr. (21 carries, 67 yards).
A 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Dev’ion Reynolds gave Northern Illinois the lead for good in the fourth quarter versus Holy Cross.
