Three Maryland Offensive Stars UCLA Must Contain

UCLA is hoping to extend their win streak to three against the Terrapins on Saturday

UCLA's Nico Iamaleava celebrates after Jaivian Thomas' touchdown against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Last week, the Bruins cruised past Michigan State in a convincing 38-13 win. This week, they are looking ahead to another dangerous Big Ten team, the Terrapins. In a previous article, we discussed the importance of shutting down Michigan State's playmakers; they need to do the same against Maryland.

Maryland is coming off two straight losses and is hoping that UCLA's momentum will run out. Three weeks ago, this game for the Terrapins would have been considered an easy win; now they are the underdogs.

In a previous article, we discussed the importance of shutting down Michigan State's playmakers; the Bruins need to do the same against Maryland.

1. Malik Washington

Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Malik Washington (7) scrambles during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

The 6'5 freshman quarterback has had a fantastic year at the halfway point. UCLA needs to do its best to slow Malik Washington down if the Bruins want to extend their win streak to three.

This season, Washington has passed for 1,506 yards and 10 touchdowns. On the ground, he's rushed for 47 yards and 3 touchdowns. He has also been excellent with ball security as a freshman, with only two interceptions on the year.

UCLA's interim head coach Tim Skipper celebrates after a Bruins touchdown against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Something that has allowed Washington to be so good this season is his ability to avoid sacks. UCLA has had back-to-back games with a single sack during its win streak. They need to apply more pressure to Washington if there is any hope of slowing him down.

2. Shaleak Knotts

Aug 30, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Shaleak Knotts (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Florida Atlantic Owls at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

At the halfway point of the season, UCLA has shown that they are decent at covering teams' best wide receivers. This week, they need to key in on slowing down Maryland's senior wide receiver Shaleak Knotts.

This season, Knotts has caught 23 passes for 367 yards. Knotts has been the Terrapins' main touchdown scorer this season, accounting for half of Washington's passing touchdowns with five on the season.

UCLA cannot let Knotts take over the game. Maryland's offense starts with the passing game, something the Bruins have been good at defending this season.

3. Dorian Fleming | Tight End

Maryland tight end Dorian Fleming (9) is tackled by Wisconsin cornerback Geimere Lasttimer II (1) and cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the first quarter of their game Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A position that UCLA has been good at defending all season is the opposing team's tight ends. It also should be said that there haven't been many good ones they have had to play against. However, this week they will be going up against Dorian Fleming, a very talented tight end who is one of Malik Washington's favorite targets.

This season for Fleming has caught 26 passes for 204 yards. He has also caught two touchdown passes this season. 14 of his catches came in the last two games; it's safe to say that Fleming is feeling really good about himself right now, something the Bruins must shut down early.

Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland state and Maryland Terrapins school flags on display after a touchdown during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

UCLA and Tim Skipper are back at home against the Terrapins, hoping to carry the momentum from the last two. The Bruins are favored to win this game; they can accomplish this by taking out all of Malik Washington's targets early.

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