Run game makes statement in Maryland football's 62-0 season opening win vs. Hampton

Trevor Gomes
24 minutes ago
3 min read

Maryland football coach Michael Locksley made his expectations for Saturday night clear.

Establishing the run was paramount — the facet of the game mentioned most in Locksley’s pre-season press conferences. He highlighted the running backs room as a unit he expected to, and saw, improve in the offseason.

The group proved him right.

The Terps breezed by Hampton 62-0, extending their winning streak against non-conference opponents in season openers to 16 games. Maryland’s production on the ground — it totaled 365 rushing yards — was the driving force.

“For us to have any chance at being successful each week is going to start with our ability to run the football,” Locksley said. “I thought today was a good start.”

DeJuan Williams especially showed his growth in the first quarter.

The redshirt sophomore eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career in the first quarter, along with two rushing touchdowns. His first score was one of the highlights of his career.

Williams burst through a gaping hole in the right side of the offensive line and sped past Hampton’s secondary for a 94-yard touchdown. The play marked the second-longest run in program history and somewhat of a return to form for the running back. Locksley said that Williams, who suffered a torn ACL in high school, has flashed renewed speed as he fully recovers from the injury.

“Today on the long run, you saw the speed,” Locksley said. “When we recruited him prior to the injury, those were the things that jumped out.”

Maryland’s offensive line also showed strides in the run game.

The right side of the line cleared out on Williams’ long score and opened up solid gaps — something it often failed to do last season. Maryland’s rushing attack was the second-worst in the Big Ten by yards per game in 2025, averaging 104.3. Ineffective run blocking and a lack of gaps in the defensive line were largely to blame.

Williams’ fellow running backs struggled to make an impact early, let alone match his production.

Every one of Williams’ touches in the first quarter seemed to lead to a chunk play, while Iverson Howard and Harry Dalton III didn’t make their presence felt. Howard changed that in the second quarter.

The sophomore, who Locksley also praised for having a great offseason, muscled his way to a five-yard gain on 3rd and 5 after appearing to be stuffed at the line. He followed it with an 11-yard touchdown, ending with a dive past the pylon for his first career score.

The second half featured more of the running back unit’s depth.

Williams took a brief trip to the medical tent after his dominant first half, but returned to the sideline and was jogging. The Terps’ other running backs matched Williams’ play in aggregate.

Maryland tacked on another four rushing touchdowns in the second half, scored by three different backs. Howard added a second score, Dalton punched in one, and recently converted running back Jianni Davis, son of Maryland legend Vernon Davis, found the end zone.

While Maryland’s running backs gave reason for optimism, quarterback Malik Washington’s play was slightly concerning.

The sophomore largely looked out of sync with his receivers and missed a handful of open throws he should be expected to make. Washington’s final stat line — 19-of-31 for 186 passing yards and a passing touchdown — is respectable but less than stellar, especially against a massively overmatched FCS opponent.

Washington described his game on Saturday night as “decent.”

The highlight of his night was a 10-play, 54-yard scoring drive shortly before half time. Washington capped it with a gutsy fourth-down conversion in which Washington avoided a sack and made a tough, on-the-run throw to Chris Durr Jr, then threw his first touchdown this season to Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding.

“There’s always concern … when you don’t complete drives,” Locksley said. “[Washington] forced some things and was pressing a little bit early. I think you start to see some things slow down for him again in that two-minute drive before the half.”

The Terps’ receivers didn’t help their quarterback at times, however. Late in the second quarter, Durr beat his man and looked open to walk into the end zone. Washington threw an accurate pass, but Durr never saw the ball and faced the opposite way as it sailed over his head.

Maryland’s defense, conversely, was sound on all levels.

Safety Messiah Delhomme snagged two of Maryland’s three interceptions and the defensive line consistently generated pressure. Defensive tackle Eyan Thomas led the way with two sacks and led a stifling effort against the run, which saw Maryland allow 10 rushing yards.

Locksley expected sound execution on all three levels against Hampton. The Terps delivered that.

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