Maryland entered the 2026 season looking for a different direction. Its first game provided about as convincing a start as possible.
The Terrapins rolled past Hampton 62-0 Saturday night at SECU Stadium, combining an explosive rushing attack with a defense that allowed just 85 total yards. Maryland finished with 646 yards of offense and 31 first downs while improving to 1-0.
Running back DeJuan Williams supplied the game’s first major spark. His 94-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter was the second-longest rush in Maryland history, trailing only Steve Atkins’ 98-yard run against Clemson in 1978. Williams finished with a career-high 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
The ground game remained the centerpiece throughout the night. Maryland rushed for 365 yards and six touchdowns, its highest rushing total since 2018 and its most rushing touchdowns in a game since 2019. Iverson Howard added 66 yards and two scores as the Terps steadily pulled away.
Quarterback Malik Washington added 186 passing yards and a touchdown, crossing the 3,000-yard mark for his Maryland career in the process. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding helped send the Terps into halftime with a 34-0 lead.
Maryland’s defense was just as decisive. The Terps recorded five sacks and three interceptions, with Messiah Delhomme accounting for two of the picks. Hampton managed only six first downs and 10 rushing yards for the game. It was the first time Maryland held an opponent below 100 total yards since 2019.
The 62-point performance was Maryland’s highest-scoring game since a 62-0 win over Howard in 2021, while the shutout marked the program’s first in a season opener since 2019. The win also extended Maryland’s nonconference winning streak to 19 games.
For a program trying to establish a different tone in 2026, one dominant nonconference win will not answer every question. But Maryland could hardly have asked for a stronger opening statement.
The Terps travel to UConn on Sept. 12 for a 3:30 p.m. matchup.