Football Faces Florida State

Terps begin string of seven straight ACC opponents.

Sept. 28, 1998

Game Facts and Coverage
Florida State at Maryland
Date: October 3, 1998
Kickoff: 1 p.m., ET
Site: Byrd Stadium (48,055/Natural Grass)

Radio: WTEM (980-AM) in Washington, D.C. and WBAL (1090-AM) in Baltimore are flagship stations for the Maryland/Learfield Radio Network. Pregame show 40 minutes prior to kickoff. (Johnny Holliday, play-by-play; Ken Broo, color; Tim Strachan, sideline)

Television: Pay-per-view in Florida only, produced by Sunshine Network. (Mike Goldberg, play-by-play; Keith Jones, color; Tom Block, sideline)

umterps.com: Maryland sports news on the World Wide Web, updated daily. Live in-game statistics and play-by-play.

LaMont Jordan (Forestville, Md.) rushed for two touchdowns and a career-high 138 yards on 22 carries last Saturday to guide the University of Maryland to a 30-20 win over Temple and propel the Terrapins into this week's battle with ninth-ranked Florida State. Saturday's 1 p.m. kickoff marks the first of seven straight Maryland games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents. It is the Terrapins' third meeting against a Top 25 opponent in their last four games.

Against Temple, the Terps captured their second victory in four games behind Maryland's greatest offensive showing since a 52-0 pasting of Wake Forest two years ago. Quarterbacks Ken Mastrole (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and Randall Jones (Frederick, Md.) platooned throughout the game to help the Terps to 380 yards total offense. Sophomore placekicker Brian Kopka (Hollywood, Fla.) booted three field goals for the second time this season to take over the nation's lead with 10 on the year.

The Seminoles make just their fourth visit to College Park, and their third since joining the ACC in 1992. FSU comes to Byrd Stadium as the sixth top ten visitor of the '90s. The 'Noles, themselves, were ranked No. 1 in 1993 and No. 4 in 1994 during previous visits.

RECORDS Maryland is 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the ACC following its 30-20 win over Temple. Florida State is 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the ACC following a 30-10 victory against No. 17 USC. RANKINGS Florida State (#9 AP, #10 ESPN/USA Today) is one of two ACC schools and one of three opponents overall ranked in AP or ESPN/USA Today Top 25 polls. Maryland is unranked.

Maryland opponents in national polls: Florida State (#9, #10), Virginia (#10, #9) and West Virginia (#16, #17). North Carolina State and Georgia Tech each received votes in both polls.

MARYLAND COACH RON VANDERLINDEN Maryland's Ron Vanderlinden (Albion College '78) is 4-11 in his second season at Maryland after helping rebuild struggling programs at Colorado (1983-91) and Northwestern (1992-96). Vanderlinden, 42, was named the Terps' head coach in December of 1996 after a five-year stint as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Northwestern under head coach Gary Barnett. He helped guide the Wildcats to a pair of Big Ten championships and a 1996 Rose Bowl appearance. As defensive line coach in nine seasons under Bill McCartney at CU, he helped guide the Buffaloes to the 1990 national championship, three Big Eight titles, and six bowl games. Counting two years at Michigan, Vanderlinden has coaching experience in nine major bowl games.

Vanderlinden's only meeting against Florida State was last season in his ACC debut and second game as a college head coach.

FLORIDA STATE COACH BOBBY BOWDEN In his 33rd season as a college head coach, Bobby Bowden owns a career record of 284-84-4. He is second to Penn State's Joe Paterno among active coaches in all-time victories and bowl wins (16). In his 23rd season at Florida State, Bowden has guided the Seminoles to 19 bowl games, including a string of 16 straight and 12 on New Year's Day. He has helped FSU to six straight ACC titles and 11 straight top five finishes. A former head coach at West Virginia and Samford, his alma mater, he is the only coach in NCAA history to win 10 or more games in 11 straight seasons.

STATISTICAL COMPARISONS TEAM COMPARISONS MD Category FSU 160.0 Rushing Offense 162.3 115.9 Passing Offense 246.3 300.8 Total Offense 407.5 23.0 Scoring Offense 30.5

131.8 Rushing Defense 99.5 150.8 Passing Defense 116.5 328.8 Total Defense 216.0 27.0 Scoring Defense 15.3

27-65 Third Down Conv. 29-71 2-3 Fourth Down Conv. 0-3

8-50 Sacks By 12-62 14-129 Sacks Allowed 7-56

31-228 Penalties 32-248 7-5 Fumbles 6-3

34:03 Time of Poss. 32:07

Maryland's Last Game
Maryland 30, Temple 20

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - LaMont Jordan ran for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night and Maryland scored twice in a three-minute span of the fourth quarter to pull away to a 30-20 victory over Temple.

Maryland (2-2) led 16-14 before Jordan scored on a 27-yard touchdown run with 13:44 left. After a Temple punt, Ken Mastrole threw a 39-yard TD pass to Bruce James for a 30-14 lead.

The loss kept Temple coach Bobby Wallace winless in his first season with the Owls (0-4). Temple, which has yielded an average of 30 points per game, kept it close for three quarters before collapsing.

Jordan, who carried 22 times, eclipsed his previous high of 135 yards -- set last season in a win against Temple.

The Owls trailed 16-7 before Lamond Adams forced a fumble that Temple cornerback LeVar Talley took 10 yards for a touchdown with 3:21 left in the third quarter.

The Terrapins responded with an 85-yard drive for a 23-14 lead. Jordan ran five times for 48 yards and kept the drive alive with a 15-yard pass to quarterback Randall Jones on a third-down trick play.

Temple went three plays before punting, and Mastrole found James in the right side of the end zone with 10:49 remaining. It was the first touchdown pass since 1996 for Mastrole, who alternated with Jones at quarterback the entire game.

The Terrapins limited the Owls to four first downs and 104 yards in taking a 13-7 halftime lead.

Maryland moved 65 yards in seven plays in its second possession to go up 7-0. Jordan accounted for 47 rushing yards on the drive, including a 26-yard sweep around right end for a touchdown. Jones replaced Mastrole at quarterback on the Terrapins' next possession and set up a 23-yard field goal by Brian Kopka for a 10-0 lead.

September 26, 1998
Maryland 30, Temple 20
          1st   2nd   3rd   4th   Final
Temple      0     7     7     6     20
Maryland   10     3     3    14     30

First Quarter
   UM-Jordan 26 run (Kopka kick), 7:09
   UM-Kopka 23 FG, 1:32
Second Quarter
   TEM-Scott 3 run (Nicholl kick), 10:35
   UM-Kopka 42 FG, 1:01
Third Quarter
   UM-Kopka 29 FG, 4:39
   TEM-Talley 10 fumble return (Nicholl kick), 3:21
Fourth Quarter
   UM-Jordan 27 run (Kopka kick), 13:44
   UM-B. James 39 pass from Mastrole (Kopka kick), 10:49
   TEM-C. Johnson 15 pass from Muckerson (run failed), 1:33

                TEM     UM
First downs     10      22
Rushes-yards    37-92   57-245
Passing         116     135
Comp-Att-Int    7-18-0  9-16-0
Return Yards    70      86
Punts-Avg.      8-43.6  4-43.5
Fumbles-Lost    1-0     3-2
Penalties-Yards 5-43    8-64
Time of Poss.   25:20   34:40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING-Temple, Jackson 12-47, Mack 7-14, Muckerson 7-12, Butler 1-8, Scott 8-6, McKie 2-5. Maryland, Jordan 22-138, Kalapinski 14-73, R. Jones 6-24, Westley 8-14, Hatala 1-8, Mastrole 6-minus 12.

PASSING-Temple, Muckerson 5-10-0-61, Scott 2-8-0-55. Maryland, Mastrole 7-13-0-104, R. Jones 1-2-0-16, Jordan 1-1-0-15.

RECEIVING-Temple, Gilliard 2-28, C. Johnson 2-23, Mack 1-39, McBride 1-16, Khamis 1-10. Maryland, Arrington 3-33, Cruz 2-21, B. James 1-39, Russell 1-16, R. Jones 1-15, Cheeseboro 1-11.

TACKLES-Temple, L. Washington 7-3--10, Adams 7-1--8, Talley 6-2--8. Maryland, Barton 13-4--17, Ogle 5-3--8, Thompson 5-3--8, Forte 7-0--7, Timmins 4-3--7.

A-27,047.

Last Meeting With Florida State (

5) Florida State 50, Maryland 7

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - LaMont Jordan's 44-yard touchdown was the fourth longest run by a freshman in Maryland history, but was not enough to hold back fifth-ranked Florida State. The Seminoles used 308 passing yards by Thad Busby and limited the Terrapins to 105 total yards as FSU coasted to a 50-7 win at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The loss spoiled the ACC coaching debut of Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden.

Busby completed 26-of-34 passes and threw two first half touchdown passes as the Seminoles jumped to a 30-7 lead at intermission.

FSU (2-0, 1-0) scored three times in the opening period and Sebastian Janikowski added a 44-yard field goal at the 9:46 mark in the second quarter for a 20-0 advantage.

Jordan escaped for what would be Maryland's longest run from scrimmage in 1997 with just under six minutes remaining to log the Terps' only score of the day. E.G. Green caught his second touchdown pass from Busby with 3:17 in the half, and Janikowski added a 49-yard field goal in the first half's final minute.

Peter Warrick caught a pair of TD passes from reserve quarterback Dan Kendra during the third period, and Chris Weinke added a final touchdown pass in the fourth.

Other Maryland (0-2, 0-1) highlights included Tony Jackson's first career interception, and junior linebacker Eric Barton recorded two of the Terrapins' four sacks.

1998 ACC STANDINGS
                ACC    Overall
Teams          W   L   W   L   Streak
Virginia       3   0   4   0   W4
Georgia Tech   1   0   2   1   W2
NC State       1   0   2   1   L1
Wake Forest    1   0   2   1   W2
Florida State  1   1   3   1   W2
Maryland       0   1   2   2   W1
North Carolina 0   1   0   3   L3
Duke           0   2   2   2   L2
Clemson        0   2   1   3   L3

This Week in the ACC
Duke at Georgia Tech, Noon-JP
San Jose State at Virginia, 1:00
Florida State at Maryland, 1:00
Clemson at North Carolina, 3:30-ABC
Appalachian State at Wake Forest, 6:30

Player of the game awards as selected by Maryland coaches:

LaMont Jordan offensive back
John Waerig offensive line
Shawn Forte defensive back
Delbert Cowsette defensive line
Brian Kopka special teams
Gil Harris off. scout team
E.J. Henderson def. scout team

INJURY REPORT Maryland did not have any significant injuries in the Temple game. OG Eric Timothy, who sprained an ankle in the season opener, has not appeared in the last three games. He is cleared to play. OLB Erwyn Lyght, who underwent surgery for a torn ACL in his knee last April, is expected to see his first game action of the 1998 season on Saturday. He is listed second on the depth chart behind Peter Timmins.

NEXT GAMES Maryland continues its ACC schedule at Clemson next week before returning to Byrd Stadium for its annual homecoming game against Wake Forest. Florida State plays at Miami next week before hosting Clemson.

TELEVISION SCHEDULE The Florida State game is televised by the Sunshine Network and is available on a pay-per-view basis in Florida only. The Georgia Tech game at Baltimore on Oct. 31 will be televised by JP Sports and kick off at noon. Schedules for next week's Clemson game, and all other ACC games, are subject to determination 12 days in advance.

NEXT HOME GAMES / PROMOTIONS It is D.C. Boy Scout Day and Family Weekend this Saturday as part of a university-wide celebration. The first 10,000 fans receive a basketball schedule magnet courtesy of Pepsi, and the Pepsi "Punt, Pass and Kick" takes place at halftime.

TICKET INFORMATION Individual game tickets for University of Maryland football games can be obtained through a network of TicketMaster outlets throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. Tickets can be purchased at the Terrapin ticket office (301-314-7070 or 800-462-TERP), any Ticketmaster outlet, or by calling 202-432-SEAT, 410-481-SEAT, 703-573-SEAT or 800-551-SEAT.

TERPS 19TH IN SEARS DIRECTORS' CUP In final standings released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Terrapins' athletic program finished tied for 19th out of 306 Division I schools in 1997-98 competition for the Sears Directors' Cup. The Sears Directors' Cup annually recognizes the best all-sports collegiate programs in the country. It is the highest finish for the Terps since rankings began five years ago.

HOW THE OPPONENTS FARED AND WHO THEY PLAY NEXT: Each of Maryland's 11 opponents are active for the first week this season. Current rankings are listed in order of AP & ESPN/USAToday.

Date   Opponent (Record)   Ranking
S5   JAMES MADISON (1-3)
Last Week:  defeated Elon, 19-12
This Week:  at Richmond

S12   VIRGINIA (4-0, 3-0 ACC)   #10/ #9
Last Week:  defeated Duke, 29-0
This Week:  vs. San Jose State

S19   WEST VIRGINIA (2-1)   #16/ #17
Last Week:  defeated Tulsa, 44-21
This Week:  at Navy

S26   TEMPLE (0-4)
Last Week:  lost to Maryland, 30-20
This Week:  William & Mary

O3   FLORIDA STATE (3-1, 2-1 ACC)   #9/ #10
Last Week:  defeated USC, 30-10
This Week:  at Maryland

O10   CLEMSON (1-3, 0-2 ACC)
Last Week:  lost to Wake Forest, 29-19
This Week:  at North Carolina

O17   WAKE FOREST (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
Last Week:  defeated Clemson, 29-19
This Week:  vs. Appalachian State

O31   GEORGIA TECH (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
Last Week:  defeated North Carolina, 43-21
This Week:  vs. Duke

N7   NO. CAROLINA (0-3, 0-1 ACC)   
Last Week:  lost to Georgia Tech, 43-21
This Week:  vs. Clemson

N14   DUKE (2-2, 0-2 ACC)
Last Week:  lost to Virginia, 29-0
This Week:  at Georgia Tech

N21   NC STATE (2-1, 1-0 ACC)
Last Week:  idle
This Week:  vs. Syracuse (Oct. 1)

SERIES HISTORY vs. FLORIDA STATE Maryland seeks its first victory over Florida State in the eight-game series history. The Terps and 'Noles played just twice prior to FSU's entry into the ACC in 1992.

Series Record:  
   Florida State leads 8-0
Series at Maryland:  
   Florida State leads 3-0
Series at Florida State:  
   Florida State leads 4-0
Neutral:  
   Florida State leads 1-0
First Meeting:  
   1966, Florida State, 45-21
Last Terrapin Win at Maryland:  
   None
Last Terrapin Win at Florida State:  
   None
Last Seminole Win at Maryland:  
   1994 (52-20)
Last Seminole Win at Florida State:  
   1997 (50-7)
Current Series Streak:  
   Florida State has won 8
Maryland's Largest Victory Margin:  
   None
Florida State's Largest Victory Margin:  
   48 (69-21, 1992)

TERPS IN NCAA & ACC RANKINGS

NCAA / Field Goals-Individual
   1st   Brian Kopka, 2.5 FGPG
NCAA / Scoring-Individual
   T27th   Brian Kopka, 9.5 PPG
NCAA / Interceptions-Individual
   T34th   Lynde Washington, 0.5 IPG
NCAA / Punting-Individual
   37th   Russ Edwards, 42.0 YPP

ACC / 3rd Down Conv. Offense-Team
   2nd   41.5 Conversion Pct.
ACC / Rushing Defense-Team
   4th   131.8 YPG
ACC / Penalty Yards-Team
   4th   57.0 YPG
ACC / Scoring Offense-Team
   5th   23.0 PPG
ACC / Rushing Offense-Team
   5th   160.0 YPG
ACC / Total Defense-Team
   5th   328.8 YPG
ACC / Net Punting-Team
   5th   35.8 YPP
ACC / 3rd Down Conv. Defense-Team
   5th   34.7 Conversion Pct.

ACC / Field Goals-Individual
   1st   Brian Kopka, 2.5 FGPG
ACC / Scoring-Individual
   T2nd   Brian Kopka, 9.5 PPG
ACC / Rushing-Individual
   4th   LaMont Jordan, 75.7 YPG
   6th   Matt Kalapinski, 62.0 YPG
ACC / Punting-Individual
   4th   Russ Edwards, 42.0 YPP

YOUNGEST IN THE NATION? The Terps continue 1998 gridiron wars with perhaps the youngest I-A team in the country. For the fifth straight week, coach Ron Vanderlinden employs at least 20 freshmen and sophomores on the current two-deep.

- Twenty-two freshmen or sophomores find themselves on this week's two-deep.

- The Terrapins have started eight freshmen or sophomores in three straight weeks.

- Of the 22 players who earned starting assignments vs. Temple, eight were either redshirt freshmen or sophomores: C Melvin Fowler (Wheatly Heights, N.Y.), LG Mike George (E. Hanover, N.J.), TB LaMont Jordan (Forestville, Md.), FB Matt Kalapinski (Marshfield, Mass.), WR Moises Cruz (Germantown, Md.), DT Kris Jenkins (Ypsilanti, Mich.), and LB Aaron Thompson (Baltimore, Md.). In addition, sophomore Brian Kopka (Hollywood, Fla.) handles the Terps' field goal and PAT chores.

- Excluding Harold Westley (Deerfield Beach, Fla.), the Terps' top running backs are exclusively comprised of freshmen and sophomores. LaMont Jordan and Matt Kalapinski both are sophomores. Reserve tailbacks Mukala Sikyala (Lanham, Md.) and Marc Riley (Coram, N.Y.) are a sophomore and freshman, respectively.

- The quarterback position has a pair of true freshmen and another pair of redshirt freshmen trailing junior starter Ken Mastrole. The Terps lost junior Trey Evans (Austin, Texas) for the season with a torn ACL, leaving Randall Jones, Calvin McCall (Orlando, Fla.), Gil Harris (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Erik Lipton (Crofton, Md.).

Jones has nudged his way into a two-way platoon with Mastrole, playing all but three plays in the second half at West Virginia and rotating the entire game against Temple.

- Surrounding the Terps' honor roll linebackers are four redshirt freshmen and a true freshman. Reggie Lewis (Chicago, Ill.) and Monte Graves (Annapolis, Md.) are backups to Ogle and Barton, respectively, and Aaron Thompson and Ryan Swift (Hinsdale, Ill.) are listed 1-2 at outside linebacker. True freshman Marlon Moore (Brandywine, Md.) emerged last week to the No. 2 spot on the Terrapin depth chart behind Kendall Ogle.

- True freshman Charles Hill (Palmer Park, Md.), redshirt freshman Derrick Jones (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) and walk-on freshman Corey Smith (Mitchellville, Md.) all have seen time in reserve roles on the defensive line.

- Redshirt freshman Melvin Fowler, recently switched from the defensive line just one week before the Maryland opener vs. James Madison, is tabbed the starting center. Fowler is one of four freshmen among 10 two-deep spots on the interior line.

- Secondary backups Tony Okanlawon (Forestville, Md.), Daryl Whitmer (Waldorf, Md.) and Rod Littles (Gainesville, Fla.) all are true freshmen. Whitmer, in fact, is a walk-on two-sport athlete who expects to play baseball for the Terrapins in the spring. He started fall camp as a wide receiver, and has earned a regular role on the Terps' special teams units.

WHY SO YOUNG?

One reason the Terps have had to rely on contributions from their underclassmen is because of personnel shortages in their junior and senior classes. A total of 15 players from the Terps' 1995 and '96 recruiting classes - players who would be juniors and seniors on the current team - are no longer with the program. Sixty-two percent of the Terps' roster is made up of true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores. Here is a look at the Terps' 1998 roster by class:

Seniors 16
Juniors 21
Sophomores 20
Redshirt Freshmen 15
True Freshmen 26
Total 98

BUTKUS CANDIDATE -- ERIC BARTON Senior linebacker Eric Barton (Alexandria, Va.) leads the Terps' list of honors candidates in 1998. Barton has been named to preseason All-America teams and numerous All-ACC lists. NFL draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. tabbed Barton as the third college linebacker to be chosen in next season's NFL draft, in a recent issue of The Sporting News. He is one of 68 linebackers nationally on the Butkus Award watch list.

- Barton averages 13.5 tackles per game.

- His effort vs. Temple may have been his best of the season. Barton matched a career-high with 17 tackles (vs. North Carolina, 1997) against the Owls. Unofficial press box statistics had him credited with 12 tackles at halftime.

- Barton has posted 45 tackles in his last three games to average 15 a game. The Temple game was his seventh performance of 14 or more tackles in the last two seasons.

- Barton has recorded double-digit tackles in eight of his last 10 games. He has posted 12 double-digit efforts in his career.

- Besides matching what was his season high for tackles (14) in consecutive weeks, Barton forced a first quarter fumble and posted a tackle for loss at West Virginia.

- The 6-3, 229-pound senior eclipsed the 300-tackle mark in last Saturday's game. Including six games as a true freshman and 25 consecutive starts since his sophomore campaign, Barton averages 9.75 tackles (312) in 32 games.

- Barton needs 18 tackles to reach 330 total tackles to move into a tie for 10th place on Maryland's career tackle chart.

- Barton had nine tackles and a sack against James Madison, and returned a fumble 16 yards in the second quarter to set up a field goal.

BUTKUS CANDIDATE -- KENDALL OGLE

Senior linebacker Kendall Ogle (Hillside, N.J.) joins Eric Barton atop the list of Terrapin honors candidates. Ogle teamed with Barton last season to finish 2-3 in the ACC in tackles. Ogle topped the Terps' tackling charts with 138 overall, and was second only to Clemson's Anthony Simmons.

- Ogle was Maryland's second-leading tackler for the third straight game, posting five solos and eight total against Temple.

- Ogle was second among Terrapin tacklers with 10 at Virginia, and one of three with nine at West Virginia.

- Ogle was Maryland's leading tackler against JMU with 12 stops overall and eight solos. He contributed on one sack for a three-yard loss.

- At WVU, Ogle snapped a string of double-digit tackles in six straight games. He has recorded 10 or more tackles in nine of 12, and 11 of his last 15 outings.

MORE BARTON & OGLE

Barton and Ogle both posted double-digit tackles in nine of 11 games last season. Barton established a career high with 17 tackles last year vs. North Carolina. Ogle's career high of 17 came vs. Clemson last season. BARTON & OGLE AMONG ACC'S BEST

Barton and Ogle posted impressive stats last season as bookend linebackers, both averaging over 12 stops per contest. Barton led the ACC with 85 solo tackles and was third overall with 134. Teammate Ogle was fifth with 75 solos, and second overall with 138.

FRESHMAN LINEBACKER DRAWING NOTICE

A starter in four straight games as a redshirt freshman, Baltimore product Aaron Thompson is fast earning attention as one of the Terps' top tacklers. Playing alongside all-star linebackers Barton & Ogle, Thompson runs neck-and-neck with his senior teammates for the Terps' tackle lead. Thompson had eight tackles against Temple and averages 8.8 stops per game, just behind Ogle's 9.8 average and Barton's 13.5.

JORDAN-ESQUE

The ACC rookie-of-the-year runner-up last season, Maryland's LaMont Jordan established a new career-high against Temple with 138 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. His effort last Saturday eclipsed his previous best, 135 yards on 21 carries in last year's meeting with the Owls.

- For Jordan, it marked the third 100-yard game of his 14-game college career. His two touchdowns against the Owls were also a career-best.

- He enters the Florida State game as the fourth-leading rusher in the ACC with 75.7 yards per game. He averages 4.2 yards per carry.

- Jordan made his presence known in last year's meeting with Florida State, ripping off a 44-yard touchdown run vs. the Seminoles. It was the fourth-longest run by a freshman in Maryland history.

- Jordan needs 84 yards to reach the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for his career. Jordan enters the Florida State game with 916 net yards on 213 carries (4.3 average).

- Jordan has typically been a valuable receiver, also, and against Temple he contributed to the Maryland passing game again. This time as a passer. Jordan threw the first pass of his career on a third-down gadget play in which he took a pitch right from Randall Jones, and threw back across the field to Jones for a 15-yard gain and first down.

- Despite a career-low one yard rushing at West Virginia where he was sidelined late in the game with a scratched eye, Jordan still has managed a 75.7-yard rushing average in three games.

- Since the WVU contest, Jordan has begun wearing a protective eye shield on his face mask.

- After being sidelined in Maryland's opener against JMU, Jordan picked up at Virginia where he left off a year ago -- leaving ACC opponents in his dust. Jordan collected a workmanlike 23 carries at Virginia, and made the difference in sustaining numerous Terrapin drives. Jordan was 4-for-4 in third down conversions against the Cavaliers, and repeatedly made key plays. In his return from a foot injury at the close of fall camp, Jordan totaled 88 yards on 23 carries, and caught three passes for 31 yards.

- Jordan was the difference in helping the Terps make big plays at Virginia. Against JMU, Maryland converted just 1-of-5 rushing third downs. At Charlottesville, Jordan was 4-for-4 and the Terps 5-for-6 overall. Long drives helped sustain Maryland's upset bid, and helped the Terps control time of possession against the nation's 12th-ranked team.

- Jordan's 23 carries at Virginia were the second highest total of his career. He had 25 at Georgia Tech in the final game of '97.

- Jordan's final numbers at Virginia may not even accurately reflect his performance. On just the Terps' 12th play from scrimmage and his second carry of the season, Jordan bolted through the left side of the Maryland line, 29 yards unscathed for an apparent touchdown and 10-0 Maryland lead. A holding penalty reduced the carry to a gain of 11.

- Jordan was the fifth-leading rusher in the ACC last year and was tops among freshmen. He was second in balloting for ACC Rookie-of-the-Year to Florida State's Travis Minor.

- Jordan did not play against JMU as he continued to nurse a twisted foot suffered during fall camp.

- In two career meetings vs. Temple, Jordan has totaled 273 yards on 43 carries (6.3 average).

BEST OFFENSE SINCE 1996

Scoring, total offense and rushing offense against Temple was the best by a Maryland team since a 52-0 drubbing of Wake Forest on Oct. 19, 1996. Against Temple last Saturday, Maryland totaled 380 yards total offense, 245 rushing and outscored the Owls 30-20.

At Byrd Stadium against the Deamon Deacons two seasons ago, Maryland compiled a whopping 355 yards rushing and 589 total.

TERP RUSHING PROGRESS

The Terps established the running game against Virginia that Maryland coaches have been seeking. At West Virginia, the offense sputtered, but still showed signs of life. And against Temple, Maryland amassed more rushing and total yards than it had in two seasons.

- In all four games, the progress in the rushing game has been exhibited by long, steady scoring drives and increased balance with each week.

Not only have the Terps included a heralded tailback in their running game, a quick-hitting power game has emerged with sophomore fullback Matt Kalapinski, along with a running threat from freshman quarterback Randall Jones.

- Maryland's three top rushers (Jordan-138, Kalapinski-73, Jones-24) against Temple were freshmen or sophomores.

- Terp rushing at West Virginia was dominated by youngsters Kalapinski and Jones who, before this season, had carried the ball just three times between them. Led by Kalapinski's 80 yards and 49 by Jones, freshmen and sophomores totaled 83% of Maryland's rushing. Moreover, those numbers include just one yard contributed by sophomore Jordan.

- Against Virginia, Jordan combined with junior Harold Westley and Kalapinski to rush for 210 yards as a trio. And that against a Virginia defense that shut out then-No. 25 Auburn 19-0 and limited the Tigers to just 18 rushing yards just one week earlier.

- Maryland's 188 rushing yards three weeks ago at UVA matched the Terps' best output from 1997 (vs. Temple) and was the school's best mark against an ACC opponent since a 259-yard rushing effort against Duke in 1996.

- Against the Cavaliers, each of the three backs broke long runs in the game. Kalapinski recorded the longest run of his young career with a 53-yard jaunt before being brought down at the Virginia 4-yard line. Westley's 30-yard TD score was the third-longest run of his career. Jordan's long was 28 yards although he had a TD run of 29 yards reduced to an 11-yard gain after a holding penalty.

WALK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG STICK

Soft-spoken sophomore Matt Kalapinski has emerged after four games as the Terps' leading ball-carrier, by total yards. Given Maryland's run-and-shoot offense of the early '90s, Kalapinski could be the most serious running threat by a Maryland fullback in a decade.

- He had 73 yards on 14 carries against Temple to post his third straight game with 70 yards or better. He averages 6.7 yards per carry.

- His 80 yards on 11 carries at WVU followed an 87-yard effort on eight attempts at Virginia. He has posted long carries of 53 and 20 yards.

- Kalapinski has been among leading ACC rushers the last three weeks. He has ranked sixth the past two weeks after making his college debut on the charts in the No. 8 position after the Virginia game.

ACC RUSHING LEADERBOARD

LaMont Jordan and Matt Kalapinski currently list fourth and sixth among leading rushers (yards per game) in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Last week, Kalapinski was sixth and Harold Westley was seventh. Here is a look at weekly progress since Jordan finished 1997 fifth as a true freshman.

        Jordan   Kalapinski Westley
Week 1   ---      ---         8th
Week 2   ---      8th         6th
Week 3   ---      6th         5th
Week 4   4th      6th        16th

MASTROLE AND JONES BEGIN THE PLATOON

After the Terrapin offense sputtered at West Virginia and freshman quarterback Randall Jones moved the team in the second half against the Mountaineers, media anticipated a "quarterback controversy" prior to last week's Temple game.

Terp coaches, however, unveiled a platoon system between Jones and incumbent starter Ken Mastrole which could continue through the season.

- Mastrole and Jones shared three different series against Temple, resulting in two touchdowns and one of three Brian Kopka field goals.

- Among the oddities was a third-down, 15-yard pass completion from LaMont Jordan to Randall Jones on which Jones was shaken up on the play. Mastrole returned mid-drive and two plays later, Jordan scored on a 27-yard run.

- On the very next possession with Maryland leading 23-14 in the fourth quarter, Mastrole spelled Jones on a 3rd-and-8 play from the Temple 39 and completed his first touchdown pass since 1996.

- Jones saw his first significant playing time against West Virginia and responded with 49 rushing yards on 13 carries. Compared with Mastrole, Jones provides the Terps with an additional running threat and a bonafide QB option. He threw for 70 yards on 5-of-7 passing late in the WVU contest, and directed the Terrapins to 192 of their 265 yards in total offense.

NOTING MASTROLE

After starting three games as a redshirt freshman in 1996, Ken Mastrole is in his first season billed as the Terps' top QB. The backup last season to CFL-bound Brian Cummings, Mastrole has logged action in 17 games over the past three seasons. He made history in 1996 while starting the West Virginia game, becoming the first freshman QB to start a game in Terp history. He began platooning with true freshman Randall Jones in last Saturday's game with Temple

FIRST TD PASS AND CATCH SINCE . . .

Still seeking his first touchdown pass since a seven-yard score at Duke in 1996, Mastrole subbed for Randall Jones during a fourth quarter series against Temple, and on his first play found senior Bruce James (Gretna, La.) for a 39-yard score. It was the second TD of Mastrole's career, and also the second for James. It was James' first catch of the year and his first TD reception since his freshman year in 1995, a 48-yarder also against Duke.

DRIVING WHEN ALL GOES RIGHT

When the Terps have scored in 1998, scoring drives have typified Vanderlinden's efforts in establishing a quality, hard-nosed running attack -- drives have been long, steady and time-consuming.

- Against Temple, five of Maryland's six scoring drives consumed seven plays or more. Three included at least nine plays.

- Maryland took a 16-7 lead on Kopka's third field goal of the day following a 15-play, 64-yard drive which erased 5:44 from the clock.

- Maryland's average scoring drive in the last three games: 9 / 56.9 / 3:58.

- Heading into the Temple game, Maryland's last five scoring drives had averaged a whopping 11.8 plays, 63.8 yards and 5:49.

- In two games against Virginia and West Virginia, the Terps' eight scoring drives averaged 9.75 plays, 58.5 yards and 4:22 per drive.

- All four scoring drives at West Virginia totaled 10 plays or more. Maryland opened the fourth quarter in the middle of a 13-play drive that lasted 7:39, the Terps' longest of the season.

- Eleven drives this season have included nine or more plays, eight have traveled 64 yards or further and seven have eaten at least 4:30 off the clock.

POSSESSION MISCELLANY

The Terrapins have developed a nifty habit of converting third-down opportunities, including 8-of-16 (50%) against Temple. Maryland has converted 27-of-65 (41.5%) third-down conversions while limiting opponents to a 17-of-49 (34.7%) success ratio.

- Maryland is currently second in the ACC in offensive third-down conversion percentage, and fifth defensively. Last season, the Terps were ninth on both sides of the ball.

- Overall, the Terps are 20-of-26 (76.9%) on third-down attempts from six yards or less.

- At Virginia, Maryland was successful on 9-of-17 third down plays, including five of six rushing and six of eight from six yards or less.

- The Terps have DOMINATED the third quarter of all four games from a possession standpoint. Against Temple, Maryland held the ball for 11:45 of the third quarter. Overall, the Terps average 9:18 in the third period.

- In the third period at Virginia, four Terp drives totaled almost 30 plays and comprised almost 10 minutes (9:33).

- After Maryland's first three possessions vs. JMU resulted in a pair of punts and a missed field goal, the Terps responded by scoring five times in a stretch of their next six possessions. The hallmark drive in the JMU third period was an 11-play, 63-yard drive chewing up 5:24 on the clock.

CONTROL THE CLOCK

Maryland has controlled time of possession in all four games this season, and in 11 of its last 15 games -- including, actually, a 30:39 to 29:21 advantage in last year's bout with FSU.

HONORS CANDIDATE -- JOHN FEUGILL

Senior OT John Feugill (Methuen, Mass.) is a third-year starter at right tackle and anchors a line that opens holes for Maryland's emerging running game. Feugill, at 6-foot-7 and 299 pounds, starts his 27th consecutive game for Maryland on Saturday. He was a preseason All-ACC recipient by several preview magazines.

STARTING STREAKS

Eric Barton, John Feugill, Kendall Ogle and senior punter Russ Edwards (Alexandria, Va.) all have started 26 consecutive games in a Maryland uniform. The trio has started every Terrapin contest since their sophomore seasons.

Other starting streaks include OL Brad Messina and DL Delbert Cowsette (Cleveland, Ohio) who each have started 15 straight contests. WR Moises Cruz has started nine straight games, and CB Cliff Crosby (Erie, Pa.) eight.

KOPKA KICKS - NCAA FIELD GOAL LEADER

Sophomore placekicker Brian Kopka has booted 10 field goals in four games to lead the nation in average and total field goals. He and FSU's Sebastian Janikowski share the ACC lead with 38 points, trailing NC State's Torry Holt in scoring average. Kopka among national leaders:

- Kopka was perfect against Temple to run his consecutive field goal streak to 10 and mark the second game this season that he has matched his career-best with three FGs in a game. He has had three, three-FG games in his career. He has five games with multiple FGs.

- Since opening the season with a 46-yard miss vs. James Madison, Kopka has connected on 10 straight.

- This season, he is 4-of-5 from 40 yards or more, and is perfect inside the 40.

- He is 5-of-7 lifetime from 40 yards or more. He is 8-of-10 on attempts from 35 or longer.

- Kopka hit a pair of 43-yard field goals at West Virginia to mark the first game of his career with multiple field goals over 40 yards. The pair of 43-yarders were the third-longest of his career (46, 47).

- Kopka's 46-yard field goal to post Maryland to a 3-0 lead at Virginia was the second-longest of his career.

- Kopka was chosen the ACC rookie of the week last season after the Duke game in which he nailed a career-long 47-yarder as one of three FGs on the day.

- After only four games in '98, Kopka is just two FGs shy of moving into a tie for ninth place on the Maryland single season chart. He is on pace to surpass the Maryland season record of 17.

- For his career, Kopka is 16 of 21 (.762) on field goal attempts and 20 of 22 (.909) on extra point attempts.

- He only needs one field goal against Florida State to move into the school's career top 10 for field goals made, matching Mike Sochko's 17 field goals in 1975 and 1976. He is two field goals short of matching Bernard Bramson (1964-66) in ninth.

- His .762 career percentage is only percentage points shy of Maryland's career record of .777 (28-of-36) by Joe O'Donnell from 1994 to 1996. Kopka's percentage currently is second all-time.

- Kopka not only has been a valuable scoring weapon for the Terps, he also is drawing notice for the edge he is giving his team on kickoffs. Of his seven kickoffs last week vs. Temple, three resulted in touchbacks, two were returned out of the end zone, and two were fielded inside the 5-yard line.

- Kicking runs in the Kopka family. His older brother, Kevin, was a scholarship kicker at Notre Dame for one season before an injury short-circuited his career.

- Kopka's family, which lives in the Miami area, were certainly some of the happiest people to learn Saturday's game vs. Florida State will be televised in Florida on a pay-per-view basis.

- Kopka wears a cast on his right hand and wrist, the result of an injury suffered while lifting weights. Laughs Kopka, "I wish I could say I hurt it tackling somebody."

KUDOS TO THE NEW HOLDER

When quarterback Trey Evans was lost for the season with a torn ACL late in fall camp, it meant that a new holder would be forced into duty with Kopka this season. Punter Russ Edwards, the previous backup holder, was pressed into action and hasn't missed a beat, helping his kicking mate go 10-for-11 on field goals and eight-for-nine on PATs.

EDWARDS ON PUNTING CHARTS

When he's not holding, punter Russ Edwards continues to climb Maryland's career punting charts, listing fourth (tied) and sixth in total punts and yards, respectively. His current average in 1998, 42.0 yards per punt, is over five yards improved over his previous career average of 36.8. Edwards among Maryland's all-time leaders:

CAREER PUNTS   Punts
1.   Dan DeArmas, 1988-91         268
2.   Dale Castro, 1978-80         224
3.   Darryl Wright, 1984-87       209
4.   Russ Edwards, 1995-present   173
5.   Mike Sochko, 1975-77         169
6.   Greg Fries, 1968-70          168

CAREER PUNTING YARDS   Yards
1.   Dan DeArmas, 1988-91        10,627
2.   Dale Castro, 1979-80         8,584
3.   Darryl Wright, 1984-87       8,389
4.   Mike Sochko, 1975-77         6,789
5.   Greg Fries, 1968-70          6,696
6.   Russ Edwards, 1995-present   6,476
7.   Scott Milanovich, 1992-95    5,509

IN THE RED ZONE

The Terps have scored on 11 of 12 occasions that they have reached inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Maryland has scored four touchdowns and seven field goals for 91.6% effectiveness.

FIRST QUARTER SHUTOUTS

Does it count as a shutout if a team does not score until time on the clock reads 0:00?

Except for a West Virginia touchdown with the first quarter clock reading 0:00, the Terrapin defense has shut out all four opponents in the first quarter.

WINNING THE PENALTY BATTLE

If discipline breeds winning, the Terps are on the right track. Last Saturday's Temple game was the first this season in which Maryland has been penalized more times or for more yards than its opponent.

TIPPING THE SCALES

Maryland's offensive line (including TE) tips the scales at an average of 280.2 pounds, compared to 293.3 pounds for the Florida State line. Defensively, Maryland's front four weighs in at an average of 259 pounds compared to 271.8 for the Seminoles.

SUNSHINE BOYS

Maryland features seven players on its roster from the state of Florida, five of whom see regular action:

QB   Ken Mastrole   Fort Lauderdale
PK   Brian Kopka   Hollywood
TB   Harold Westley   Deerfield Beach
DB   Rod Littles   Gainesville
DB   Chris Sanders   Winter Springs
QB   Calvin McCall   Orlando
DB   Tarik McCall   Winter Springs

TERPS BY THE NUMBERS

1

Kicker Brian Kopka's national ranking for field goals made (10) this season.

2

Number of home wins this season for the Terps, who are 2-0 in 1998 at Byrd Stadium.

3

Number of series in the Temple game shared by QB's Ken Mastrole and Randall Jones. All three resulted in scores (two touchdowns, one field goal).

5

The Terps face five teams in 1998 who played in bowl games last year: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, West Virginia.

7

First quarter points allowed by the Terps through four games.

10

Consecutive field goals made by sophomore Brian Kopka, who has been perfect since missing his first attempt of the season.

11

Number of Terrapin scoring drives this season involving at least nine plays. Eight scoring drives have traveled 64 yards or more.

17

Total number of tackles - equaling a career high - vs. Temple for senior linebacker Eric Barton, a candidate for the Butkus Award.

28

Average number of freshmen and sophomores who see action for the Terps.

32

Season high number of freshmen and sophomores who saw action vs. Temple.

42.0

Punting average after four games for senior Russ Edwards - more than 5.0 yards better than his career average (36.8) entering the 1998 campaign.

73

Offensive snaps in the Temple game - 42 by Ken Mastrole, 31 by Randall Jones.

312

Career tackles by senior linebacker Eric Barton, who leads the team in stops (54) through four games this season.

BARTON & OGLE JOIN ESPN "PLAYERS"

Eric Barton and Kendall Ogle are among 28 national stars that appear weekly to answer pertinent questions relating to football, college athletics, rivalries and traditions. Log on to www.espn.com, click on college football and check out the Terps among this weekly college football feature.

New questions and responses appear every Thursday. Last Week's ESPN "The Players" Topic:

ESPN: Discuss your thoughts and experiences about high school recruiting.

Barton: "I think the recruiting process was a real fun time in my career. I don't have any funny stories, but I thought it was real exciting. Everyone treats you really well and you're kind of made to feel like you're a king. I liked it. I would suggest to new players not to expect it to continue that way, though, because once you get to your school you find out that you have to start on the bottom just like everyone else. It's a real exciting time."

Ogle: "I always thought it was fun being recruited, but I thought it was like having a cold splash of water thrown on your face when I made it here for good. Things have worked out well, but when you're being recruited, you're always told you're going to be a starter right away. It's great because you get to go places you might not have gotten to go before, and you always get to eat great. It's fun. I wouldn't give it back, but coaches are always out there to sell you on their school. It's just their job, and I'm glad I came to Maryland, but I had some growing up to do when I got here."

ESPN "The Players" Roster -- 1998

Bob Adamov, LB, Wisconsin

Jeremy Aldrich, K, Colorado

Eric Barton, LB, Maryland

Michael Bishop, QB, Kansas State

Dre' Bly, DB, North Carolina

Kris Brown, K, Nebraska

Rosevelt Colvin, DL, Purdue

Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky

Oscar Davenport, North Carolina

Kevin Feterik, QB, BYU

Rufus French, TE, Mississippi

Steve Gleason, LB, Washington State

Donnie Hart, WR, Texas Tech

Brock Huard, QB, Washington

Sedrick Irvin, WR, Michigan State

Graham Leigh, QB, New Mexico

Chris McAlister, DB, Arizona

Jason McKinley, QB, Houston

Cade McNown, QB, UCLA

Mark Mill, WR, Navy

Kendall Ogle, LB, Maryland

Jason Poles, DB, Syracuse

Montae Reagor, DL, Texas Tech

Kirby Smart, DB, Georgia

Marquis Smith, DB, California

Quinton Spotwood, WR, Syracuse

Michael Stinchcomb, OL, Georgia

Amos Zereoue, RB, West Virginia

BARTON ON ESPN LIVE CHAT THIS WEDNESDAY

Terp linebacker Eric Barton appears live Wednesday evening on the ESPN.com Internet site, as a featured "chat" guest at 7:00. The chat session is expected to last approximately 30 minutes.

QUOTING COACH VANDERLINDEN

On Temple win: "I was very encouraged by the play of our defense. It's a shame there were 20 points on the scoreboard [for the Owls], because our defense really had a dominant effort. Temple came into the game seventh in the nation in rushing, averaging 250 yards per game, and really had some good players and concepts, and we held them to 92 yards on 37 rushes. If you had told me going in that we would do that, I would have been very pleased. I thought our defense played well. We were able to put our second team defense in for the last drive, which probably hasn't happened in my brief stay at Maryland. It was good to get those young guys into the game. Our defense really just gave up one score, and I was extremely pleased with our effort. Our offense, I thought, did a nice job as well. I thought we moved the ball effectively and used both quarterbacks [Ken Mastrole and Randall Jones] very effectively. In the kicking game, our kicker and our punter both performed well, but boy we sure hurt ourselves on field position at times, once on a late hit."

On alternating QB's: "I was very pleased with the way both quarterbacks played. If you could have drawn it up going into the game, and had it turn out like it did, I think you would have said, 'That's using both quarterbacks pretty effectively.' Overall, Randall performed well. He had a miscue or two, but that's going to happen [with a true freshman]. I couldn't believe he made that one escape, when he was almost sacked, but got away to run for a first down. I thought Ken did a good job. Kenny has really demonstrated, almost to perfection, throwing the ball down field. He really threw a perfect pass [for a TD] to Bruce James. He ran the option the best he has run it. He runs fast enough and is big enough and strong enough to do some good things in the option game. I was pleased with both performances by the quarterbacks. We went into the game with Ken as the starter, and I think that took all the pressure off of Randall and displayed some confidence in Ken. Kenny has the best chance of putting us in the right play early on, and we just have much more experience by starting Ken. We made our mind up that for the second series we were going to bring Randall in and let him play. After that, we were just going to see how things went and call it as we saw it. As far as the starting position, we'll do the same as we did last week. We're going to evaluate things, study Florida State, practice, and then make a late decision. We don't have a controversy; we have two good quarterbacks who have different styles."

On LaMont Jordan: "I thought LaMont ran the way we're accustomed to seeing him run - hard inside and with speed on the outside. He ran with authority. He moved the pile and turned the corner several times. I was pleased with the way he ran."

PLAYER OF THE GAME AWARDS

James Madison: Lynde Washington (defensive back), Kris Jenkins & Kendall Ogle (defensive line), Jermaine Arrington (offensive back), Matt Kalapinski (special teams), Chris Pope (offensive scout team), William Shime (defensive scout team).

Virginia: Brad Messina (offensive line), LaMont Jordan (offensive back), Russ Edwards (special teams), Chad Killian (offensive scout team), Corey Smith (defensive scout team).

West Virginia: Matt Kalapinski (offensive back), Brian Kopka (special teams), Sam Marvis (offensive scout team), Jomo Huggins (defensive scout team).

Temple: LaMont Jordan (offensive back), John Waerig (offensive line), Shawn Forte (defensive back), Delbert Cowsette (defensive line), Brian Kopka (special teams), Gil Harris (offensive scout team), E.J. Henderson (defensive scout team).

TERPS AT A GLANCE

QUARTERBACK Junior Ken Mastrole, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has started all four games in '98 but has shared time with true freshman Randall Jones the last six quarters ... "We don't have a quarterback controversy," says head coach Ron Vanderlinden, "we have two good quarterbacks who have different styles" ... Mastrole is 36 of 69 (.522) for 462 yards and one TD through four games ... Jones, who played last year at the Naval Prep Academy, is an option quarterback who has rushed 21 times for 73 yards while completing 6 of 9 passes for 86 yards ... Jones led the Terps on three second-half scoring drives Sept. 19 at West Virginia after taking over for Mastrole, thus earning a place in the QB rotation ... Maryland's first TD pass of the campaign came last Saturday courtesy of Mastrole, who threaded a 39-yard aerial to Bruce James early in the fourth quarter ... the Terps are young and inexperienced at the QB position ... Mastrole, who saw limited action as a backup to Brian Cummings last season, is backed by a pair of true freshman (Jones and Calvin McCall of Orlando, Fla.) and a pair of redshirt freshmen (Gil Harris and Erik Lipton) ... the Terps suffered a setback in fall camp when junior Trey Evans, who was challenging Mastrole for the starting job, was lost for the season with a knee injury ... the Terps are averaging 140.8 passing yards.

RUNNING BACK Maryland's young running back corps is paced by a pair of standout sophomores: tailback LaMont Jordan (75.7 ypg) and fullback Matt Kalapinski (61.0 ypg) ... the duo ranks 4-6 in the ACC in rushing ... Jordan has put up impressive numbers in two of his three appearances this season (he missed the opener vs. JMU with a twisted foot), rushing for a career-high 138 yards and two touchdowns vs. Temple and totaling 88 yards on 23 carries Sept. 12 at Virginia ... those efforts were sandwiched around a career-low one-yard effort Sept. 19 at West Virginia ... Jordan was runner-up to Florida State's Travis Minor for ACC Rookie of the Year honors last season ... Kalapinski has been one of the pleasant early surprises for the Terps, rushing for 87 yards (Virginia), 80 yards (West Virginia) and 73 yards (Temple) over the course of the last three games ... the hard-nosed fullback is averaging a hefty 6.7 yards per carry and leads the Terps in touchdowns (3) ... the Terps have also received substantial production from junior tailback Harold Westley of Deerfield Beach, Fla., who has rushed for 159 yards and one touchdown ... the Terps are averaging 51.8 rushing attempts and 160 rushing yards per game ... the team's average of 3.1 yards per carry is a significant improvement over last year's average of 2.3 yards per rush.

WIDE RECEIVERS Six lettermen who accounted for 75 catches for 1,020 yards seven touchdowns last year returned in '98, led by sophomore Moises Cruz, who topped the squad in receptions (29) and receiving yards (337) as a redshirt freshman last season ... newcomer Jermaine Arrington, a former walk-on who originally went to Memphis on a track scholarship, has been a big boost to the Terps' corps of wideouts, leading the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (169) despite missing the WVU game with a sprained ankle ... Arrington showed an ability to get deep in the Terps' first two games, latching onto a 37-yard reception in the opener vs. JMU and hauling in a 42-yard pass Sept. 12 vs. Virginia ... Cruz has nine catches (for 96 yards) ... Arrington has caught at least three passes in each of his three appearances in '98.

OFFENSIVE LINE The offensive front is led by veteran right tackle John Feugill, the only senior to start on offense for the Terps this season ... a pro prospect, the 6-7, 299-pound Feugill is slated to make his 27th consecutive start this Saturday ... Feugill is one of two returning starters up front for the Terps, although the other returning starter, Brad Messina, shifted over to left tackle after starting all 11 games at left guard last season ... the Terps suffered a blow in fall camp when sophomore center Ben Thomas, an 11-game starter as a true freshman in '97, left the team for personal reasons ... in Thomas' place is redshirt freshman Melvin Fowler, Jr., who was moved over from defensive line late in fall camp and who had never played the position prior to last month ... the Terps are hopeful of re-gaining the services of junior guard Eric Timothy, who has missed the last three games after suffering a sprained right ankle in the opener vs. JMU ... Timothy has been replaced in the starting lineup by redshirt freshman Mike George.

TIGHT END The Terps are well-stocked at the tight end position, with Wisconsin transfer John Waerig heading the depth chart ... the 6-2, 261-pound Waerig is a tough, physical player with outstanding blocking and above average receiving skills ... Waerig redshirted at Maryland last season after playing the previous two seasons at Wisconsin, where he saw time at fullback and on special teams in 1995 and '96 ... Waerig leads all tight ends in receptions, having caught one pass in three of the Terps' four games this season ... he was rated Maryland's player of the game for his efforts in the win over Temple (he graded out at 82%) ... Waerig is backed by a pair of redshirt freshmen: Eric James and Mike Hull ... Hull appeared in all 11 games as a true freshman last year, totaling 13 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.

DEFENSIVE LINE Maryland has opened with the same front four in all four games this season: ends Rasheed Simmons and Peter Timmins and tackles Delbert Cowsette and Kris Jenkins ... Cowsette, last year's team leader in TFL's (10), is the lone returning starter from last year's defensive front ... Cowsette leads the team in sacks (2) and has totaled 20 tackles on the season ... Timmins is the top tackler (27 stops) among the front four ... two of last year's starters - Eric Ogbogu (New York Jets) and Eric Hicks (Kansas City Chiefs) - are now playing in the NFL ... the Terps are expected to gain the services of backup rush end Erwyn Lyght this weekend ... Lyght, last year's sixth-leading tackler, has been out since April after he tore an ACL in a knee, requiring surgery ... he is listed No. 2 on the depth chart this week behind Timmins.

LINEBACKER The Terps feature one of the country's most productive linebacking tandems in seniors Eric Barton and Kendall Ogle, a pair of candidates for the Butkus Award ... last year, Ogle and Barton finished 2-3 in the ACC tackle race, totaling 138 and 134 stops, respectively ... Barton was the ACC leader last year in solo stops (85) ... both have gotten off to outstanding starts this season, combining for 93 tackles between them ... Barton leads the team in solo tackles (41) and total tackles (54) ... Ogle has 39 total tackles ... Barton has registered 45 tackles (33 solos) in the past three games ... at the bandit outside linebacker position is redshirt freshman Aaron Thompson, a converted fullback who is averaging 8.8 tackles per game ... all the backups at the linebacker positions are freshmen: Ryan Swift, Monte Graves and Marlon Moore (Moore is a true freshman).

SECONDARY This unit, which lost three starters from '97, was labeled the "area of greatest concern" by head coach Ron Vanderlinden prior to the season ... a pair of seniors, a junior and one sophomore start in the backfield for the Terps, who are yielding 197.0 passing yards per game this season ... at the corner positions are a pair of lettermen: junior Lynde Washington, who has a pair of interceptions, and senior Cliff Crosby, who was rated the Terps' most improved defensive back coming out of spring drills ... senior Paul Jackson starts at free safety, where he is backed by sophomore Tony Jackson, and sophomore Shawn Forte and true freshman Rod Littles are 1-2 at strong safety ... Paul Jackson's 27 total tackles leads all defensive backs ... he had consecutive career highs for solo tackles in the Virginia (7) and West Virginia (9) games ... Forte had a career-high seven solo tackles in the win over Temple.

KICKING GAME Sophomore Brian Kopka of Hollywood, Fla., leads the nation this week in field goals made (10) and field goals made per game (2.5) ... Kopka, who takes a streak of 10 in a row into Saturday's game vs. Florida State, is on a single-season school record pace (the Terp record for most field goals in a season is 17, by Dale Castro in 1979 and equaled by Jess Atkinson in 1984) for field goals made ... he needs to average just one per game over the course of the rest of the season to tie the record ... senior punter Russ Edwards is enjoying the best season of his career, boasting a season average (42.0) that is 5.2 yards per punt better than his career average (36.8) coming into the season ... in addition, six of his 20 punts have been downed inside the 20.