DeJuan Williams ripped off 116 yards and two touchdowns on three carries against Hampton, then left early in the second quarter. No reported diagnosis or explanation has clarified whether he will be available at UConn. That is quite a loose end to carry out of a 62-0 Maryland win.
Maryland rushed for 365 yards on 40 attempts, with Iverson Howard adding 66 yards and two touchdowns while seven Terps scored or gained at least 30 rushing yards. The depth of that production made the opener genuinely encouraging. Defenses cannot organize themselves around one back if Maryland can keep creating useful carries throughout the rotation.
The opponent still matters. Hampton was facing a Power Four team for the first time, and even its early three-and-out and two red-zone stands that forced field goals could not keep the game competitive. Maryland proved it could overwhelm this opponent. It did not prove that the same balance will travel.
Watch Washington when the easy answer disappears
Malik Washington completed 19 of 31 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown, avoided both interceptions and sacks, and netted four rushing yards on three attempts. Michael Locksley said Washington pressed and forced things early, settled down before halftime and still left drives unfinished. Those details are more useful for Saturday than the 62 on the scoreboard.
Clint Trickett is the new offensive coordinator in a rebound attempt built around Washington and a roster that returned 71 percent of its production after consecutive 4-8 seasons. The UConn trip should show whether their passing game can complement the new ground-game balance when Maryland cannot simply run away from the opponent.
The first receiver distribution offers a specific place to look. Na'eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding caught six passes for 57 yards and Washington's touchdown, Chris Durr Jr. caught six for 44, and 12 Maryland players recorded a reception. That breadth was useful in a blowout. At UConn, watch whether Washington identifies his best matchup promptly and lets Gladding, Durr or somebody else become the reliable answer on money downs.
Efficiency is the desired advance, with cleaner early reads, fewer forced throws and completed drives. Williams's availability raises the stakes because his explosiveness could preserve favorable passing situations. If he is limited or absent, Washington may have to supply more of the offense rather than merely steering it.
Take the disagreement seriously
Maryland kicks off at UConn at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, with CBSSN carrying the game. The betting market and the Fan Watch simulation describe dramatically different afternoons.
CBS Sports listed Maryland as a 12.5-point favorite on September 8 after the line opened at 10.5. The Fan Watch model, meanwhile, gives Maryland only a 31% chance to win. Those are alternative estimates of the same game, not a probability changing over time.
There is football evidence for caution. UConn has won 13 of its last 14 games at Rentschler Field, including a 6-0 home season in 2025 and this year's opener. The Huskies began Jason Candle's tenure by beating Lafayette 56-7 and setting a school record with 671 yards, split between 301 rushing and 370 passing. Quarterback Kalieb Osborne accounted for 265 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, then ran for 90 yards and two more scores in his first UConn start.
That does not settle which forecast is right. It explains why Maryland fans should value an ordinary, composed road win more than another gaudy total. Washington does not need to win a statistical duel. He needs to keep the offense on schedule, finish possessions and punish UConn when it commits extra help to the run.
See whether the defense can disrupt without losing containment
Maryland's five sacks against Hampton included two apiece from Eyan Thomas and DD Holmes, while Messiah Delhomme made two of the defense's three interceptions and Jayden Shipps supplied the other. That was the opener's other meaningful positive. Disruption came from several places.
The actual deployment was revealing too. Sidney Stewart, Nahsir Taylor, Eyan Thomas and Lavon Johnson started on the defensive line, while Zion Elee worked as a reserve and recorded one solo tackle; Holmes also came off the listed starting group and produced his two sacks. UConn's balanced opener and Osborne's running ability now ask that group to maintain rush-lane discipline while still creating pressure.
Locksley praised Maryland's three-phase execution against Hampton, highlighting the early establishment of the run, tackling, takeaways, quarterback pressure and the chance to develop depth. Sustained offensive rhythm would show progress from Washington; another distributed rushing performance would show the balance can travel; pressure without losing containment would strengthen the defensive case.
Keep the focus on Maryland-UConn this week. The matchup is in the interactive guide, and the methodology explains the percentages. The right afternoon is less about reproducing 62-0 than about seeing Washington and the passing game carry their share when the road, the opponent and the game state stop making everything easy.