Maryland football dismantled Hampton, 62-0, to start off its 2026 campaign, extending the nation’s longest active nonconference win streak to 19 games
The Terps recorded 646 total yards — the program’s most since 2020 — and backed it up with a dominant defensive display. After taking a 41-point lead in the third quarter, Maryland gave its depth pieces a chance to shine.
Here are three takeaways from the game.
Ground game shows promise
With the Big Ten’s worst rush attack last season, head coach Michael Locksley made it a point of emphasis to relieve some stress off Malik Washington’s shoulders — he ranked sixth nationally in pass attempts in 2025.
“For us to have any chance to be successful each week is going to start with our ability to run the football,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “I thought today was a good start.”
That came to fruition in Maryland’s season opener.
DeJuan Williams broke loose on a 94-yard rushing touchdown on the Terps’ second drive of the game — a sign of what was to come. Williams eclipsed 100 rushing yards nearly nine minutes into the game, something that only Washington managed to do in 2025.
While Williams shouldered the offensive load early on, he picked up a knock early in the second quarter. That allowed Iverson Howard and USC transfer Harry Dalton III to get more snaps, and they capitalized.
Howard was Maryland’s lead back during the remaining three quarters, finishing with 12 carries for 66 rushing yards. He punched in a pair of short-yardage rushing touchdowns, marking his first career scores.
Despite being an undersized back, Dalton was explosive with his carries. He averaged 5.6 yards per attempt, with a nine-yard rushing touchdown capping off backup quarterback Cardell Williams’ first drive as a Terp.
Washington and Williams got involved in the run game as well, combining for 53 of the team’s 365 rushing yards.
Maryland had just nine rushing touchdowns throughout the entirety of the 2025 season. It had six on Saturday — the program’s most since 2001. While Hampton allowed 233 rushing yards per game last year, it’s a welcoming sign for Terps fans.
Malik Washington’s shaky performance
Amid the Terps’ dominant ground game, Washington struggled to connect with his new receivers. The sophomore quarterback was errant on passes to Chris Durr Jr. and Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding during the opening drive, leading to the lone three-and-out.
Washington completed just four passes in the opening quarter for 15 yards, utilizing Williams out of the backfield as his top weapon. He had one catch for eight yards in the opening quarter and later connected with him for a 27-yard reception — Maryland’s second-longest of the game.
But Washington settled in, showcasing the arm and leg talent that left fans in awe last year. On a 4th-and-4 play, Washington extended the play long enough to spot Durr open between several defenders. He threaded the needle to keep the drive going.
Washington linked up with Gladding on his next two completions during the drive, including a 10-yard reception at the back of the end zone for his lone passing touchdown of the game.
While he struggled to make the right reads with time in the pocket, Washington was at his best Saturday on the run. His added threat as a rusher — Washington scrambled three times, an element Maryland is looking to expand upon — further opened up receivers downfield.
Still, Washington’s inaccuracies led to an underwhelming stat line. He went 19-of-31 for 186 passing yards, the second-fewest yards in his young career.
Defense looks as advertised
While the Terps returned just one piece from its starting defensive line last season, the pass rush wreaked havoc on Saturday.
Maryland consistently created pressure on Hampton quarterback Jalen Woods, totaling five sacks and forcing the inexperienced signal caller into some questionable decisions. He threw three picks, two of which sophomore safety Messiah Delhomme caught.
DD Holmes, who made just one start last season, was likely the Terps’ best defensive player. He generated two of Maryland’s five sacks and showcased his versatility on both the edge and interior of the line.
Hampton finished with only 10 rushing yards on its 31 attempts, and didn’t fare any better through the air. The Pirates threw for 75 passing yards, with most coming after the game was already out of hand.
Maryland posted its first shutout since 2022 and allowed Hampton to get past midfield on just two of its drives. It never reached the red zone.
“Our defense did a tremendous job tackling. To have a shutout in the first game and create the turnovers and put the pressure on the quarterbacks, they did a great job,” Locksley said.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
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