Maryland left UConn with a 38-14 win, and head coach Mike Locksley liked what he saw from a team that handled its first road test with a little more control than flair.
Locksley said the trip served as a measuring stick for his group. He called it “an audit for us” and said the Terps did a good job of taking care of business. Malik Washington was efficient when Maryland needed him to be, and with DeJuan Williams unavailable, the offense leaned a little more on its quarterback.
That didn’t mean Maryland turned one-dimensional. Locksley said the staff wanted to be pass first to help the run against a UConn defense whose front seven was the strength of the unit.
He also pointed to the two young backs, saying he was happy with how they ran the ball. On the perimeter, the Terps got production from the receivers, with two of them going over 100 yards.
The defense had a strong afternoon against the run, but Locksley said there were still things to clean up. Maryland gave up explosive touchdowns that he said were out of character for the veteran corners, who “just didn't play with the odd discipline we need.” Even with that, he said he liked the way the team has been preparing and competing.
Washington said the message for him was simple: do whatever the team needs to win.
“Definitely, just trying to do what we need to get the win. Whatever my team asking me, whether it's throw the ball all around the yard or we need to run it, just making plays all over the field.
I'm super proud of the guys and stepping up. We had some really big plays from some key contributors today.”
He also credited the rushing attack, which had to adjust as bodies shifted throughout the game. Washington said Maryland had a “three-headed monster” at running back through camp and the offseason, and with one player down and another banged up, the next-man-up approach kicked in. Harry Dalton and Iverson Howard answered, and Washington said they delivered crucial conversions and broke tackles when the offense needed them most.
“When our run game gets going, our energy on offense kind of picks up, makes us feel better about ourselves.”
Locksley pointed to Maryland’s ability to string together drives as another encouraging sign. He said six possessions featured at least eight plays, and credited Washington with taking what the defense offered. He also said a few extra-effort plays from the receivers helped the quarterback along.
“Definitely good to see us be able to sustain drives and not just -- a week ago we had a bunch of explosives. Today we had to drive the ball down and I like what I saw.”
Washington said staying in rhythm was a point of emphasis all week, and that showed up in the way he handled the offense.
“Definitely something we kind of emphasized all week, staying in rhythm, staying on schedule, deep breaths before the play, and allowing the play to play out and execute the play.”
Before halftime, Locksley chose to kick a field goal rather than force the issue. He said the book suggested going for it, but the decision came down to momentum and confidence, especially with a young team. He also said the Terps need to finish more red-zone trips with touchdowns after settling for field goals in a couple of those spots.
Maryland’s portal receivers also made their presence felt. Washington called Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding and Chris Durr “super electric” and said the pair finally got a chance to show what they can do after not getting as many opportunities in week one.
Locksley also praised the pass rush, noting that Maryland has now posted five sacks in back-to-back weeks. He said the front seven is the team’s strength and said the Terps did a good job of keeping UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne in the pocket. Still, he pointed to one first-half explosive play as a breakdown in coverage and discipline.
Washington said the key against UConn was staying calm and letting the game come to Maryland instead of trying to force it. He said the Terps wanted shots when they were there, but weren’t looking to rush the offense.
“We throw a 15-yard pass, and a guy takes it 60 yards to the house. That's a big play right there, and that's what we need as a team, to be able to trust in our playmakers and allow them to make plays.”
Asked whether this group feels different from the 2025 team, Washington said the answer is yes because of how connected the roster is and how much experience it now carries.
“I think we're just a really close, well-knit team. We trust in each other all the way.
Not saying that last year's team didn't, but with so many guys coming back, a lot of guys know what it takes, know what it looks like through tough games, know how to finish games. And that's something we emphasize all offseason because we're no longer the the young team playing a bunch of freshmen.
We're all the sophomores who have a year of games under their belt and know how to play.”
He closed by stressing the give-and-take that comes with being part of this team.
“Just whatever it takes. Really, it's a crucial moment in the game.
I know anybody on the team will put their body on the line for me. I got to show those guys I'm looking to do the same.”
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Week 1 of the NFL season offered a strong early showing for Maryland football alumni, with 14 former Terrapins appearing in games across the league. One of the most notable debuts came from DJ Moore, who stepped into Buffalos offense and immediately made an impact in a win over the Houston Texans, finishing with five catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
For Maryland fans, it was another reminder of how much pro production continues to flow out of the program. Moore was hardly the only Terp to make a mark, either, with Nick Cross, Stefon Diggs and Deonte Banks also contributing in their own spots while others spent the day inactive or on practice squads. Still, Moores first game in Buffalo stood out as an early sign that he could become a major piece of what the Bills are trying to build. [Read more 🡒]