COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Head coach Mike Locksley could not have scripted a more dominant start to the 2026 campaign. The Maryland Terrapins controlled all three phases of the game Saturday night, lighting up the scoreboard in a 62-0 victory over the visiting Hampton Pirates in front of an energetic crowd over over 43,400 at SECU Stadium.
From the Terrapins second possession of the game, Maryland dictated the tempo and showed their upper hand while amassing 646 yards of total offense and holding Hampton to a meager 85 yards and just six first downs.
Explosive Ground Game Takes Center Stage
Maryland set the tone early through its rushing attack, piling up 365 total yards on the ground and six touchdowns.
The highlight of the night came in the first quarter, when running back DeJuan Williams broke free for a blistering 94-yard touchdown run—the second-longest rushing play in Maryland program history. Williams added an 8-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, capping a night where the backfield proved virtually untouchable.
The depth in Maryland’s running back room was fully showcased as the game progressed:
- Iverson Howard punched in two scores (11-yard and 8-yard runs).
- Harry Dalton III added a 9-yard third-quarter touchdown.
- Jianni Davis sealed the scoring in the fourth with a 5-yard goal-line drive.
Air Attack and Quarterback Efficiency
Quarterback Malik Washington efficiently guided the starting offense, completing 19 of 31 passes for 186 yards. Washington capped a dominant first-half display with a 10-yard touchdown strike to Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding with six seconds remaining before halftime, giving Maryland a commanding 34-0 lead at the break.
Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding hauls in the pass from Malik Washington for a touchdown before the half.
Backup quarterback Cardell Williams made the most of his reps in the second half, throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Scott in the third quarter. Jack Capaldi also saw action, maintaining rhythm as Maryland logged 281 passing yards on the night without committing a single turnover.
Stifling Defense & Game Summary
Maryland’s defense was flying all over the field, racking up 5 sacks and picking off Hampton quarterbacks three times.
| Quarter | Hampton Pirates | Maryland Terrapins |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | 0 | 17 |
| 2nd Quarter | 0 | 17 |
| 3rd Quarter | 0 | 21 |
| 4th Quarter | 0 | 7 |
| Final Score | 0 | 62 |
These are the types of wins you must put together early in the non-conference portion of the schedule. The Terps have now won 16 consecutive season openers against non-conference opponenets, the third-longest streak among Big Ten members.
“Pleased with how we executed today in all three facets of the game. We were able to establish the run early.”
— Head Coach Michael Locksley after the win
The Terps will attempt to carry this momentum into Storrs next week for a date with the UConn Huskies (1-0) who are poised for another strong campaign after finishing 9-4 last season.
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