Maryland football HC Mike Locksley, QB Malik Washington on week two win vs. UConn

23 minutes ago

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Everything that head coach Mike Locksley and quarterback Malik Washington said following Maryland football's 38-14 win at UConn:

Mike Locksley on the road win vs. UConn

"Really proud of this team to come out on the road, and as I told them, this would kind of be an audit for us. It'll tell us a lot about ourselves -- first road opportunity. I felt like we did a good job of taking care of business. Malik [Washington] was really efficient when we needed him to be. This was a team that we thought the front seven was the strength of their defense and we wanted to kind of be pass first to help with the run. Obviously not having DeJuan Williams today, we leaned on Malik a little bit more. But I was really happy with the way the two young guys ran the ball. Saw the receivers kind of what they can do with two guys going over 100 yards. Once again, the defense was solid. Gave up some explosives for touchdowns that were unlike the two veteran corners we got, just didn't play with the odd discipline we need, but they did a really good job against the run. Obviously, like I said, things need to get cleaned up, but I love the way this team has been preparing and competing, and now we get back and hit ourselves up to head back home to get ready for next week."

Malik Washington on his week two performance vs. UConn

"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."

Washington on the rushing attack

"Those guys been putting in a lot of work throughout camp and throughout the offseason. We had a three-headed monster at running back. One of our guys goes down, another one gets banged up, the next man up mentality is what we need. It's something we preach as a team. And Harry [Dalton] and [Iverson Howard] stepped up really well today, had some crucial, crucial conversions, breaking some tackles. When our run game gets going, our energy on offense kind of picks up, makes us feel better about ourselves."

Locksley on six drives featuring 8+ plays

"A great example of Malik being able to take what the defense gave him. A few guys made some extra effort plays. A couple of those catches the receivers made, they made him right. So, 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."

Whether Washington felt he was in rhythm

"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."

Locksley on the decision to kick FG before halftime

"The book told us to go for it, but when I'm looking at the the momentum of it, it was important for us. We played it to leave with a score before the half and I thought it was really important that we left with a score from a confidence factor, especially with this young team. And we got the field goal, which gave us a chance to finish the drive with points. Definitely need to finish the red area with more touchdowns. Today we had a couple situations down in the red [area] where we had to kick field goals that I'd like to see us be better at executing."

Washington on the portal WRs -- Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding & Chris Durr

"They're super electric. I'm glad the world finally gets to see you the [skillset] that they all were blessed with and the hard work that they put in all offseason .They got a chance to show today. We didn't get it as much as we wanted in week one, so we kind of had a chip on our shoulder coming into this week to be able to show what we can do."

Locksley on five sacks for second straight week

"The front seven is our strength, and those guys have done a really good job, especially with [UConn Quarterback Kalieb Osborne] and his athleticism, we had to do a better job of keeping him in the pocket, which I thought we did. Gave up the big explosive play there in the first half, where we didn't have great under-coverage on second and seven plus and our linebackers bit up on the the run action. Just got to play those plays a little bit better and be a little more disciplined in our techniques."

Washington on the week two prep vs. UConn

"Really, just stay calm throughout it all. We want to have shots, we want to take shots when they're there, but not rushing the game, not forcing the game, allowed it to come to us. 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."

Washington on whether the 2026 team feels different than 2025

"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."

Washington on his third down scramble to pick up the first down in the second half

"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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