Standing at the lectern during his weekly news conference at SECU Stadium, Maryland football coach Michael Locksley faced another round of questions regarding his job security with the Terrapins mired in a five-game losing streak and the season all but lost.
Mathematically, Maryland (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) remains in the mix for a bowl berth. The Terps need to win two of their final three games, beginning with Saturday’s road showdown against Illinois (6-3, 3-3), a prohibitive favorite. In reality, little about their performances during this slide suggests fortunes will turn.
Standing at the lectern during his weekly news conference at SECU Stadium, Maryland football coach Michael Locksley faced another round of questions regarding his job security with the Terrapins mired in a five-game losing streak and the season all but lost.
Mathematically, Maryland (4-5, 1-5 Big Ten) remains in the mix for a bowl berth. The Terps need to win two of their final three games, beginning with Saturday’s road showdown against Illinois (6-3, 3-3), a prohibitive favorite. In reality, little about their performances during this slide suggests fortunes will turn.
Still, Locksley spoke glowingly this week about the state of the locker room and the enthusiasm with which players are embracing the challenge despite outside negativity. And he wasn’t much interested in justifying whether he should be back for an eighth full season next year.
“I’m a big boy,” said Locksley, whose contract runs through 2027 with a buyout worth more than $13 million. “I’ve been a big boy a long time. I’ve done a lot harder things in my life than dealing with a five-game losing streak and have to answer questions about what I’ve done. I’ll tell you, if you can read, you can have knowledge, and you’ll see why the questions you asked — you’ll find the answer, but you’re going to have to read.”
Locksley’s tenure has included victories in three consecutive bowl games — a first in program history — with the last coming in 2023. He also oversaw the development of record-setting quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who ended his career as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in passing yards.
This spring, the Terps had six players selected in the NFL draft, including wide receiver Tai Felton (third round), linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II (fourth), defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (fifth) and safety Dante Trader Jr. (fifth). It marked the most selections in a single draft for Maryland since 1986.
This year’s freshman class has been among Maryland’s most promising since recruiting services began grading prospects. Malik Washington was the fifth-rated quarterback nationally, according to 247 Sports, and edge rusher Zahir Mathis was named one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Award presented to the freshman of the year.
But there’s no overlooking Locksley’s 16-40 record in the Big Ten or his 0-19 record against ranked conference opponents. The nadir this season was a 55-10 homecoming loss to No. 2 Indiana on Nov. 1, during which the student section chanted, “Fire Locksley.” He’s a combined 12-35 in games played in October and November, with three straight losses last month coming on the heels of blown leads in the fourth quarter.
Washington also has taken a step back, at least statistically, in passing during the losing streak. Washington, the 2024 All-Met Player of the Year on offense has thrown as many interceptions (five) as touchdowns since the skid began Oct. 4. He had eight touchdowns and one interception over the first four games despite missing significant time in training camp because of a lower-body ailment.
“All I really care about are people inside our locker room, inside of our building, that are there with us every day that have put in the same amount of work we have put in,” Washington said. “I think we’re playing for everybody in the building, really. Nobody likes to feel this type of way after losing five straight. You’re playing for the senior guys that this is their last chance, their last opportunity to play football in total, some in a Maryland uniform. I think each week we’re always playing for each other.”
As for any inspiration that might fuel an improbable flourish to close the regular season, Locksley pointed to Maryland’s season-high 305 rushing yards in Saturday’s 35-20 loss to Rutgers. The Terps entered the game ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing offense (93.3 yards per game).
Washington sparked the resurgent ground attack with 164 yards on eight carries, highlighted by a 73-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage. His rushing total was the second highest by a quarterback in school history and the most by any Terp this season.
Washington has accumulated 2,319 yards of total offense and accounted for 17 touchdowns, the second most in the Football Bowl Subdivision by a true freshman this season.
“Whatever’s going on outside, media, we’re not really worried about that,” Terps redshirt junior safety Lavain Scruggs said. “We’re worried about doing our job, playing against Illinois this weekend. So whatever’s going on, we’re not worried about it. … I’ll say we’re motivated every game. We’re 0-5 right now, so we’re hungry for this next win.”
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