Football season is nearing the halfway mark, and one struggling team finally has something to celebrate. The Miami Dolphins were 0-5 going against the New York Jets during Sunday’s game, with first-time starter Malik Willis trying to lead the floundering team to its first season victory. Willis graduated from Liberty University and signed with the team during the offseason. It is his first year as a starting quarterback, having served as a backup for first the Tennessee Titans and then the Green Bay Packers.

After a strong halftime lead where the team jumped ahead of the Jets 21 to 7, the Dolphins were able to hold onto it and clinch their first win 28 to 21 over the Jets. Willis had a strong game, completing 14 of 21 passes for a total of 208 yards, including an impressive 63-yard touchdown pass that secured the team’s lead. Speaking to CBS Sports after the win, Willis said that he was “super grateful” for the win.  “Just the resilience of this team and the guys in that locker room – I can’t say it enough how proud I am of those guys and grateful for this opportunity to just fight through adversity and continue to push forward,” he said.

He addressed how the team managed to hold onto the lead, even as the Jets threatened to catch up. “I continue to stay rooted in my faith. I mean, Jesus had it way harder than I do. I come out here and play this game for fun, and I obviously try to do my best and enjoy it, but we’ve got to just fight for each other. It could change at the drop of a hat,” he said. Willis said he hoped the win would help the team to turn this season around. “You remember this – you remember the times where you have hard times and you lean on each other, and you just continue to build upon that,” he said. “And those relationships grow stronger. So, in good times and bad times, you can lean on them. … We came out with a W, first one of the year. Let’s try to get some more.”

Willis has been verbal about his faith in the past. After he signed with the Dolphins after leaving the Packers, he quoted scripture after expressing appreciation for his former team. “Much love and respect to packer nation supporting us and me the past 2 years!” he wrote on X. “It has been awesome upholding the standard for the green and gold. It has been more than a blessing and [I] will never forget my time here and the relationships I made! Fins Up. Matthew 6:33-34 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Prior to starting his professional career, Willis told Sports Spectrum he would keep his eyes on God. “I choose to always give the glory to Him. People say I’m humble, but I don’t really know if it’s humble,” he said. “It’s just very, very obedient, knowing that it’s not me at all. … You’re using the abilities that God gives you and go out there and glorify His name and try to spread the Gospel.”