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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Noah Trister The Associated Press
Maryland football coach Michael Locksley enters his eighth season facing pressure after two consecutive losing seasons, including last year's promise-crushing collapse from 4-0 to 4-8. The team returns promising quarterback Malik Washington, who threw for over 2,500 yards and ran for over 300 as a true freshman in 2025, along with leading rusher DeJuan Williams and standout tight end Dorian Fleming. Locksley is expected to take a step forward this season or risk losing his job after the 2026 campaign. The team's ability to sustain success against top Big Ten teams will be key to their success.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Maryland's football team is entering its eighth season under coach Michael Locksley, who has come under pressure after leading the team to back-to-back losing seasons. Despite this, there are reasons for optimism as many young players return from last year's squad, including quarterback Malik Washington. Washington, a true freshman in 2025, showed promise by throwing for over 2,500 yards and running for over 300 yards, making him one of only two Big Ten freshmen to achieve this since 1996. The team has also won an impressive 18 consecutive non-conference games, but has struggled to maintain its performance throughout the season. Locksley's job security is at risk if Maryland fails to improve, with a manageable schedule that includes playing only three of the top 25 teams in the Big Ten. The team returns plenty of players on both offense and defense, giving fans hope for a turnaround in the upcoming season.
Written for “Maryland Football Struggles Continue” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 913 · logged 2026-08-26
Maryland
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — 2025 record: 4-8
Expectations
Michael Locksley enters his eighth season as Maryland’s coach.
asserted
Locksley → enter → coach
He was able to rebuild the Terrapins into a solid bowl team when Taulia Tagovailoa was quarterback, but since then Maryland has had back-to-back losing seasons, including last year when the Terps won their first four games and then lost all the rest.
asserted
Terps → rebuild → rest
There are reasons for optimism in 2026, given how many young players Maryland relied on a season ago.
asserted
Maryland → be → players
Quarterback Malik Washington was the starter last year and showed a lot of ability, becoming one of only two Big Ten true freshmen since 1996 to throw for more than 2,500 yards and run for more than 300.
asserted
Washington → show → 300
The Terps have won 18 consecutive nonconference games – and that’s not because they only schedule cupcakes – but the tendency to fade as the season progresses has been a big issue for this program.
asserted
season → win → program
The Big Ten begins the season with eight teams in the AP Top 25, but Maryland faces only three of them and does not play No. 2 Oregon, defending national champion Indiana or Michigan.
asserted
Maryland → begin → Oregon
If the Terps don’t take a step forward, Locksley might not see year nine.
uncertain
Locksley → take → year
Plenty returning on both sides of the ball
asserted
Plenty → return → ball
In addition to Washington, the Terps return leading rusher DeJuan Williams and standout tight end Dorian Fleming.
asserted
Terps → return → Williams
What’s new is the offensive coordinator: Clint Trickett arrives after serving in the same role at Jacksonville State, where his team averaged over 400 yards per game.
asserted
team → ’ → game
The big question may be how a handful of transfers perform at receiver.
uncertain
handful → perform → receiver
Linebacker Daniel Wingate was the team’s MVP as a junior and edge rusher Sidney Stewart had seven sacks as a freshman.
asserted
Stewart → have → freshman
Edge rusher Zion Elee was the highest-rated player ever to sign with the Terps.
asserted
Elee → rat → Terps
He was ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in the country by ESPN.
asserted
He → rank → ESPN
His arrival is an example of why Maryland has continued to be patient with Locksley.
asserted
Maryland → continue → Locksley
Can Maryland turn potential into wins?
asserted
Maryland → turn → wins
More than any position group, the Terps’ weakness right now is just sustaining success – for a full season or even a full 60 minutes in big games.
asserted
weakness → sustain → games
A good start would likely be met by plenty of skepticism and jokes about “September Maryland” until the Terrapins show they can be more than nonconference bullies.
asserted
they → meet → bullies
Even when Locksley had a prolific passing game with Tagovailoa, Maryland didn’t hold up all that well against a rugged Big Ten schedule.
asserted
Maryland → have → schedule
Washington will likely put up impressive numbers, but can the Terps run the ball and play physical football when needed?
asserted
Terps → put → football
New faces
Lee was the big recruiting win, and keep an eye on a couple transfers: receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding (Old Dominion) and defensive lineman Lavon Johnson (Texas).
asserted
Lee → keep → transfers
The latter began his career at Maryland before spending 2025 with the Longhorns.
asserted
latter → begin → Longhorns
Offensive lineman Aliou Bah transferred to LSU.
asserted
Bah → transfer → LSU
