Locksley Defends Washington Ahead of Maryland Trip to Ohio State

Maryland football coach Mike Locksley is supporting sophomore quarterback Malik Washington as the Terrapins prepare to visit No. 5 Ohio State, while acknowledging the team must improve around him to create more success.

According to 247sports.com, Maryland enters the matchup at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big Ten play. Washington has completed 63% of his passes for 1,288 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions this season, according to sports.yahoo.com.

Locksley said Washington continues to show the ability to learn from mistakes through daily film sessions with the coaching staff.

"People ask me what's wrong with Malik Washington," Locksley said. "I say nothing, nothing at all."

Locksley said defenses have challenged Washington with post-snap changes that require stronger decision-making, while the coaching staff works to improve the support around the quarterback.

"Unfortunately, you have to go through some of these things with the quarterback," Locksley said.

The Maryland coach identified the running game and second-down execution as areas that need improvement. The Terrapins had struggled to create balance before DeJuan Williams returned and produced 78 rushing yards on 10 carries with a touchdown against Nebraska, according to sports.yahoo.com.

"That's what a bunch of these kids came to Maryland for — these opportunities to play in the Big Ten," Locksley said. "Number one, the best conference in football, and to have a team like Ohio State, fifth-ranked, top offense, top defense. Really, Ryan Day's done a great job of sustaining the tradition there.

Our players are excited because we get to go play a top-five team at their place for homecoming. When you take your team on the road, it's us against them. If we can take the first-half energy of Nebraska and find a way to do it for four quarters and give yourselves a chance, anything can happen on Saturday."

Locksley also pointed to Maryland's need for consistency after uneven performances against recent opponents. The coach said the team must execute across offense, defense and special teams.

"We're not losing any trust in him as our quarterback," Webb said. "We've seen him make plays since he arrived here last year, so I know it'll come back to him."

Wide receiver Kaleb Webb said teammates remain confident in Washington and are focused on accountability after recent losses. Webb said Maryland's locker room continues to support each other while preparing for Ohio State.

"A lot of people want to talk about the wins and the losses, but at the end of the day, I know what we have in our locker room. Our locker room is very close-knit, and I know that's going to carry us on throughout the season. We're taking each loss as a lesson, learning, holding each other accountable. So I know that'll pay off," Webb said.

According to sports.yahoo.com, Washington set Maryland freshman records in 2025 with 2,963 passing yards and 273 completions while also rushing for 395 yards and four touchdowns. His current season has included increased turnovers during Big Ten play.

Maryland will face Ohio State on the road as the Terrapins attempt to improve consistency against a top-five opponent.