Entering the 2026 season, Maryland football quarterback Malik Washington emphasized the importance of “not taking unnecessary hits.”
In Saturday’s 62-0 win over Hampton, Washington slotted in as the lead blocker on a reverse at the beginning of the second quarter that helped spring a 30-yard run from receiver Chris Durr Jr.
As great as the play was, taking on the full force of an impact block up 17-0 against FCS opponent Hampton could seemingly be defined as an “unnecessary hit.”
While coaches tend to push their quarterback to avoid contact, sometimes it’s exactly what the team needs.
Sometimes, quarterbacks put their bodies on the line to give their team a spark. Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma, Jaxon Dart at Ole Miss and Max Duggan at TCU come to mind. The post-play pats on the helmet and chest bumps from teammates after a lowered shoulder exemplify how they led by example for their incredibly successful teams.
After back-to-back 4-8 seasons, Maryland football needs that kind of spark, hence the block.
“[Washington] running downfield to get that block is what allowed Chris Durr to get extra yardage,” receiver Na’eem Abdul-Rahim Gladding said. “It allows us to buy in because we know our [quarterback], who we want to protect, is out there going hard, trying to put his body on the line. So why can’t we?”
Gladding earned praise from Washington himself after he made the sealing block for running back DeJuan Williams on his 94-yard touchdown Saturday night.
“Our coaches tell us all the time that ‘we haven’t had receivers blocking like you guys in a minute,” Gladding said.
The team has pushed a sentiment of brotherhood entering the season. Playing for one another has been a recurring theme, and it’s easy to see what that brotherhood looks like on the field.
Washington’s block might feel unnecessary in the moment, but he showed willingness to take big hits for his teammates. They respond to it.
“We call that championship mindset, Championship playing habits,” said Washington when asked about the team’s blocking against Hampton. “Going to dig out the safety, right? Extra fitting on the corner just to give guys opportunity.”
Head coach Michael Locksley gave another perspective on the memo.
“Championship mindset comes with standards that, one, you’re not a guy that watches the scoreboard,” Locksley said. “Two, success comes from the work you do on the field Monday through Friday.”
The term “championship mindset” is an interesting way to describe what Locksley and Washington are talking about.
Locksley has repeatedly shut down questions about long-term goals for the season. A championship of any kind is an extremely lofty expectation for a team coming off back-to-back 4-8 seasons.
The term doesn’t mean a championship based on what the players have said. Rather, it’s a core belief that the team will put in the work for each other.
“Those are the things that you know you want to see from your teammates,” Washington said. “It shows that they care about their brother.”
