Sept. 21, 1999
Game Facts and Coverage
Terp Notes
Quoting Vanderlinden
Maryland-Georgia Tech Tentative Depth Charts
Lists, Leaders and Rankings
History, Fans and Media Information
Terps Unbeaten
Maryland is 3-0 for the fourth time since 1980, and on all four occasions West Virginia has provided the Terps their third victory (1980, 1986, 1995, 1999). The last time the Terps opened 3-0 was in 1995 when Maryland began the year at 4-0. It is Maryland's longest win streak since that opening streak in 1995.
Scaling the Mountaineers
The 33-0 romp was Maryland's first shutout of West Virginia since a 28-0 win at Byrd Stadium in 1985. It was Maryland's most lopsided win over the Mountaineers since a 54-7 win at Byrd Stadium in 1951.
It was the first time West Virginia has been shut out since a 27-0 defeat by Virginia Tech on Oct. 28, 1995.
It was the Mountaineers' worst shutout loss since a 33-0 drubbing by Penn State in 1976.
It was WVU's largest margin of defeat since the 1994 Sugar Bowl in a 41-7 loss to Florida.
Nation's Defense
Maryland is second in the nation in scoring defense with just 3.3 points allowed per game. Arkansas leads the NCAA Division I ranks with just six points allowed through two games.
Team G Points Avg.
1. Arkansas 2 6 3.0
2. Maryland 3 10 3.3
3. Kansas State 2 7 3.5
4. Minnesota 3 14 4.7
5. Oklahoma 2 10 5.0
Virginia Tech 2 10 5.0
A Three-Year Comparison
Though just a month into the season, take a look at Maryland's defensive progression since 1997, Vanderlinden's first season, when Maryland's total defense was 111th:
NCAA Statistics 1997 1998 1999 Diff.
Scoring Defense 92 58 2 +90
32.3 26.4 3.3
Passing Defense 102 60 15 +87
147.9 121.9 84.6
Total Defense 87 53 13 +74
401.8 361.0 240.7
Rushing Defense 73 60 21 +52
174.6 159.0 77.0
Defensive Streak
It is Maryland's best defensive streak since holding NC State (23-6), Syracuse (26-3) and Indiana State (38-0) to nine points in consecutive games in 1982.
It is the first time Maryland has had two shutouts in a three-game span since 1980 when the Terps stopped NC State (24-0) and Virginia (31-0).
Scoreless by the Quarter
The Maryland defense has held opponents scoreless in 10 of 12 quarters this season.
Score by Quarter 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Total Avg.
Maryland 16 26 34 14 90 30.0
Opponents 3 0 7 0 10 3.3
Three Shutouts?
Maryland is but two turnovers from recording three consecutive shutouts. Were it not for a pair of fumbles inside its own 25-yard line against Western Carolina, Maryland would likely be unscored upon in three straight outings since a Randy White-led Jerry Claiborne defense of 1974 (Syracuse 31-0, Clemson 41-0, Wake Forest 47-0).
Shutout Streaks
Maryland has held opponents scoreless entering the Georgia Tech game for five consecutive quarters, to mark its longest shutout stretch since 1989 when Maryland shut out North Carolina 38-0 and kept Penn State scoreless during the first quarter of a 13-13 tie at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium
Maryland also held Boston College (W, 31-13) and West Virginia (W, 28-0) scoreless over a five-quarter stretch in 1985.
The last time the Terrapins held opponents scoreless over six quarters was in Bobby Ross' first season as coach in 1982. At the Carrier Dome, Maryland allowed Syracuse across midfield just twice while claiming a 26-3 win and shutting out the Orangemen in the final quarter. A week later at Byrd Stadium, the Terps shut out Indiana State 38-0. Seven days later, Jess Atkinson's 50-yard field goal was the game's only scoring in the first quarter of a 52-31 win over Wake Forest.
The last time the Terps posted consecutive shutouts was in 1978 when UM shut out Wake Forest 39-0 in College Park, and Duke 27-0 in Durham.
Terps and the Big East
Maryland has shut out both of its Big East opponents this season.
Defense by the Yard
In 1997, six of 11 opponents accumulated at least 400 yards offense against the Terps.
Last season, that total was reached by just West Virginia, North Carolina and NC State. High-powered offenses from Georgia Tech, Florida State and Virginia all were held under 400 yards total offense.
This season, remarkably, none have even reached 260:
Yards Allowed Rush Pass Total
Temple 26 228 254
Western Carolina 115 104 219
West Virginia 90 159 249
Not Bad, Considering ...
Consider that this defense was one that lost four players to NFL camps, three of whom have made their way onto current NFL rosters - Eric Barton (Raiders), Kendall Ogle (Browns) and Cliff Crosby (Rams).
Maryland's defensive unit has continued its progression despite losing a pair of All-ACC linebackers and three players to the NFL.
74-Pt. Margin Best Since '74
Maryland has posted its most dominating consecutive wins since 1974 when the Terps blasted Villanova (41-0) and Duke (56-13) by an 84-point margin. Maryland has beaten Western Carolina (51-10) and West Virginia by a combined 74-point margin.
84 Points Is Best Since '84
Maryland's 84 points the last two games are the most in consecutive outings since the Terps downed Clemson (41-23) and Virginia (45-34) in 1984.
It's No Run-and-Shoot
Not since the days of Maryland's run-and-shoot offense have the Terrapins scored points as frequently as in their last two games.
Maryland's average over its first three games (30.0) - including just six points in an opening win vs. Temple - is just shy of its 1995 three-game opening average of 30.7.
Counting dominant teams of the '50s and run-and-shoot squads of the '90s, it is Maryland's fifth-best three-game scoring average to open the season. Only the opening games of 1951, 1953, 1994 and 1995 posted higher scoring totals.
For Comparison's Sake
The Terrapin offense has experienced an explosion, too, that it hadn't encountered in three seasons. Here's a look at the NCAA rankings comparison with offensive categories:
NCAA Statistics 1997 1998 1999 Diff.
Rushing Offense 106 50 8 +98
88.5 161.2 265.3
Total Offense 111 105 25 +86
267.7 278.3 437.0
Scoring Offense 108 85 45 +63
14.6 18.4 30.0
Passing Offense 79 103 80 -1
174.3 117.1 171.7
Gaining and Gaining
Maryland is averaging nearly as many yards in rushing alone (265.3) as it averaged in total offense (278.3) during the 1998 season.
Still Young Terrapins
Perhaps the youngest team in the country in 1998, the Terps are still undoubtedly worthy of the label, "young."
Based on the 45-man offensive and defensive two-deep against West Virginia, the Terps are still a very young team. The two-deep features 26 underclassmen (true freshmen, redshirt freshmen, sophomores) - 15 on defense and 11 on offense.
True freshmen listed on the depth chart are all listed as backups: wide receiver Scooter Monroe (Abington, Md.) has seen increasing action though is not formally listed on the two-deep. QB Latrez Harrison (Atlanta, Ga.) has seen limited action as the No. 3 signal-caller this season. TB Bruce Perry (Philadelphia, Pa.), has seen increased playing time as the second or third tailback in the Terps' rotation.
On the depth chart with less playing time are left offensive tackle Eric Dumas (Atlanta, Ga.) and free safety Andrew Smith, Jr. (Fort Meade, Md.).
Nine players - six on offense, three on defense - have made their major college starting debuts this season: ILB Kevin Bishop (St. Petersburg, Fla.), CB Renard Cox (Richmond, Va.), OT Matt Crawford (Moravia, N.Y.), WR Guilian Gary (Horseheads, N.Y.), QB Calvin McCall (Miami, Fla.), ILB Marlon Moore (Brandywine, Md.), TB Mukala Sikyala, Jr. (Lanham, Md.), OG Chris Snader (Bishopville, Md.), OG Todd Wike (Lebanon, Pa.).
Maryland employed at least 20 freshmen and sophomores on its two deep in every game last season. At least 10 first or second-year players started in four of the five games to end the 1998 campaign.
Youth and the O-Line
Hats are off to the Terrapin offensive line which has allowed just one sack in three games. With depth on the offensive line looming as one of Maryland's concerns entering the season, seniors Brad Messina (Bogota, N.J.) and Jamie Wu (St. Charles, Ill.) anchor a two-deep roster that includes a junior and seven underclassmen.
Doak Walker Nominee
Junior tailback LaMont Jordan (Forestville, Md.), on pace to challenge the Maryland career rushing mark (3,317 by Charlie Wysocki, 1978-81) with 1,958 yards in two-plus seasons, continues his climb up the Terrapin career rushing chart. He is currently seventh in Maryland history and 64th among career ACC rushing leaders.
He has been nominated for the Doak Walker national running back award for the second straight season.
L.J.'s Trek for 2,000
Jordan won't be the fastest Maryland player to 2,000 rushing yards, but with just 42 to go, he will become only the second junior and seventh Terp ever to reach the double-century plateau.
Needing 206 yards against West Virginia to match the fastest trek to 2,000 in Terrapin annals (Steve Atkins, 24 games from 1975-78), Jordan totaled 164 yards before coming out of the game early in the fourth quarter.
Only career record-holder Charlie Wysocki has ever reached the plateau as a junior, though it took him 26 games to reach the mark.
Jordan, who enters his 25th game at Georgia Tech, also will become the 62nd player in ACC history to rush for 2,000 yards.
Jordan's Best, and Most TDs
Jordan has posted career rushing highs in back-to-back games. He ran for 158 yards on just 18 carries against Western Carolina, and amassed 164 yards on 22 carries against the Mountaineers. His previous high was 138 vs. Temple last season.
Most TDs
His three rushing TDs against Western Carolina were the most by a Maryland player since Rick Badanjek at North Carolina, Nov. 3, 1984 (who had three).
Jordan and the Century Mark
Jordan has rushed for 100 yards in two straight games, six of his last eight, and in nine games total during his three-year career. He ranks third on Maryland's career list for most 100-yard rushing games (Charlie Wysocki, 17, Steve Atkins, 15).
JORDAN'S 100-YARD GAMES
164 West Virginia, 9-18-99 22 att., 1 TD
158 Western Carolina, 9-11-99 18 att., 3 TDs
138 Temple, 9-26-98 22 att., 2 TDs
136 at North Carolina, 11-7-98 17 att., 2 TDs
135 at Temple, 9-27-97 21 att.
132 Wake Forest, 10-17-98 20 att.
126 NC State, 11-8-97 22 att.
109 NC State, 11-21-98 20 att., 1TD
102 vs. Georgia Tech (Balt.), 10-31-98 19 att.
Jordan - A Stretch Run
Jordan's 164- and 158-yard performances the last two weeks are a continuation of an impressive trend that dates to midseason of last year. A look at Jordan's exploits during that stretch:
In his last eight games, Jordan has rushed for more than 100 yards six times. During that span, he has averaged 113.8 yards per game while scoring eight touchdowns.
In his last six games dating to last season, he has ripped off gains covering 50, 50, 49, 46, 34 yards and 29 yards.
JORDAN'S LAST EIGHT GAMES
Date Opponent Att. Yds Avg. TD
10-17-98 Wake Forest 20 132 6.6 0
10-31-98 Georgia Tech 19 102 5.37 0
11-7-98 at North Carolina 17 136 8.00 2
11-14-98 at Duke 15 68 4.53 1
11-21-98 NC State 20 109 5.45 1
9-4-99 at Temple 21 41 1.95 0
9-11-99 W. Carolina 18 158 8.78 3
9-18-99 West Virginia 22 164 7.45 1
Eight Games 152 910 5.99 8
More Jordan ...
Last season, Jordan was 94 yards shy of becoming only the fourth Maryland back in history to rush for 1,000 yards.
He finished second in the ACC in rushing last season with 906 yards and 90.6 rushing yards per game. He was fifth in the ACC as a freshman, finishing as the runner-up for conference rookie of the year honors.
Jordan and History
Jordan climbed from 10th to seventh place on Maryland's career rushing chart last week, passing Mark Mason (1990-93), Ed Modzelewski (1949-51) and Billy Lovett (1966-68). Jordan's 1,958 yards are within striking distance of two more spots on the Terps' rushing ladder very soon.
He is 182 yards shy of Willie Joyner (1980-83) in sixth, and exactly 200 yards shy of Alvin Blount (1983-86) in fifth.
CAREER RUSHING YARDS (see separate chart in this document)
CAREER RUSHING ATTEMPTS
Attempts
1. Charlie Wysocki, 1978-81 769
5. Billy Lovett, 1966-68 452
6. Willie Joyner, 1980-83 437
Art Seymore, 1970-72 437
8. Alvin Blount, 1983-86 426
9. Bren Lowery, 1986-89 402
10.LaMont Jordan, 1997-present 389
CAREER RUSHING AVERAGE
YPC
1. Chet Hanulak, 1951-53 8.13
5. Alvin Blount, 1983-86 5.07
6. LaMont Jordan, 1997-present 5.03
7. Bob Shemonski, 1949-51 5.02
8. Willie Joyner, 1980-83 4.90
8. Allen Williams, 1993-94 4.81
Making a Big Splash
Lewis Sanders (Staten Island, N.Y.) didn't just return to action for the first time this season since a shoulder injury at Georgia Tech in the final game of 1997. He has leaped into the limelight as one of the foremost reasons for Maryland's defensive success against the pass.
Oh, yes, and he leads the nation in kickoff return average, too. Sanders has made a splash - a big splash - in everything he's done this season:
In his first three games since missing the entire 1998 season, Sanders has three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Alone, he has more takeaways (5) than Maryland has giveaways (3).
His two touchdowns and 12 points are more than Maryland has allowed opposing offenses all season.
His 28-yard fumble return for touchdown against West Virginia was his second defensive or special teams touchdown in two games.
Also against West Virginia, he had two deflections and an interception for the third straight game after entering the contest tied for third in the country already with 1.0 per game.
Sanders entered the WVU game as the nation's leading kickoff return specialist (48.7 avg.). He returned West Virginia's only kickoff 32 yards.
In the season opener at Temple's Franklin Field, the site at which he'd intercepted three passes in a single game two years earlier, Sanders posted four tackles to go with an interception, a deep pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
The remarkable heroics continued against Western Carolina, returning a kickoff 98 yards for a score and intercepting another pass. In all, he returned two kickoffs for 120 yards, and has become just the fourth player in Maryland history to return two for touchdowns (he had a 90-yard kickoff return for TD vs. North Carolina in 1997).
Cox & Sanders Corner the Pass
Maryland's secondary, often thought to be its Achilles' heel the past two seasons, has turned the corner to become one of its greatest strengths.
Led by corners Renard Cox (Richmond, Va.) and Lewis Sanders, Maryland has posted six interceptions in three games and 16 in its last six, dating to last season. Cox, 6-0 and 189 pounds, and Sanders, 6-1 and 200 pounds, both are good size corners with speed. Sanders, in fact, is the team's fastest player.
Both contributed interceptions among the Terps' four vs. West Virginia, and help solidify a defensive unit that has batted down 15 other passes through three games.
Comparing the production with 1998, Maryland had just three interceptions through eight games last season.
Past Pass Defense Comparison
Maryland has allowed just 491 passing yards in three games for a 130-yard average. Sporting easily their best pass defense average in two decades, the Terps have allowed better than 179 yards through the air, on average, in 18 consecutive seasons (since 1981).
Turnover Talk
In Ron Vanderlinden's first season at Maryland, the Terps were among the nation's top 20 teams in turnover margin, finishing with a figure of +0.73 per game. Last season, the Terps dropped to 67th in the nation, with an average of -0.27 per game.
After three games in 1999, Maryland boasts 10 takeaways (6 int., 4 fumbles) and just three giveaways (3 fumbles) for a +2.3 turnover margin to ranked fifth (tied) nationally.
On 3rd Down
The Terp offense has converted on 10 of 24 (.416) third-down conversion attempts the past two games after a horrendous start (0 for 15 vs. Temple) in the season opener.
Maryland ranks first in the Atlantic Coast Conference in third-down conversion defense, allowing just 10 conversions in 43 attempts (.233). That is in stark contrast to last season, when Maryland ranked last in the ACC (.424) in third-down defense. West Virginia's offense was just 2 of 10 on third-down situations.
Possession Miscellany ...
After a scoreless first quarter, Maryland scored on six of its next eight possessions against West Virginia.
After allowing only four drives across the 50-yard line in its first two games, West Virginia pushed the ball into Terrapin territory on each of its first five drives though still scoreless. But following Renard Cox' interception to thwart a second quarter WVU possession inside the Maryland 35, the Mountaineers never crossed midfield again.
Cowsette Among Leaders
Nose tackle Delbert Cowsette entered 1999 within reach of Maryland's all-time tackle leaders. The senior All-ACC candidate was third in tackles for the Terps in 1998 with 96 stops.
Cowsette averaged 8.7 tackles last season including a career-high 15 in each of Maryland's last two games, against Duke and NC State.
He had a season-high nine tackles against West Virginia. His 220 career tackles are 83 shy of Maryland's career top 12.
QB Job is McCall's
Calvin McCall (Miami, Fla.) has solidified the Terps' quarterback situation the past two weeks with strong efforts running and passing, alike.
With his installment as Maryland's top signal-caller, Randall Jones (Frederick, Md.) was moved to safety, with fifth-year senior Trey Evans (Austin, Texas) the new No. 2 quarterback. True freshman blue-chipper Latrez Harrison is No. 3.
A highly-touted product of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando and a native of Miami, McCall was Maryland's emergency (although unused) quarterback last season while charting plays and earning a redshirt.
In three games, he has completed 31 of 59 passes for 430 yards. He has yet to throw an interception, and connected on a 76-yard TD against Western Carolina. He also is the Terps' second-leading ground-gainer, tallying 148 yards at a rate of 5.7 yards per carry.
His 55-yard gallop on a quarterback option at Temple is Maryland's longest run from scrimmage this season.
McCall vs. Bulger
While Mountaineer QB and Unitas Award candidate Marc Bulger was reaching his 7,000-yard career passing milestone, Maryland freshman Calvin McCall was completing just the third game of his college career - with more yards, two TDs and no interceptions than his veteran counterpart.
McCall, with a modest career-best 178 yards, still has not thrown an interception after three games. Bulger, meanwhile, was picked four times and threw for fewer yards, 152, than he had in any game since passing for 140 against Notre Dame in 1997.
One of Four in the Nation
Calvin McCall was one of just four freshmen Division I quarterbacks to start his team's opening game.
Ohio's Dontrell Jackson was the only true freshman to start at quarterback in Division I-A this season. Other redshirt freshmen included Michael Vick of Virginia Tech and Andy Chance of Louisiana-Monroe (formerly NE Louisiana).
QB Transition
McCall was Maryland's first freshman in the modern era (post-1950) to start an opening game at quarterback, though not the first freshman to take snaps or start a game.
Since Vanderlinden took over the coaching reins at Maryland, a transition has taken place from then-starter Brian Cummings to the present. McCall is the third freshman QB to start for the Terps since Ken Mastrole started at West Virginia as a redshirt freshman in 1996. Randall Jones started four games last season as a true freshman. Blue-chip true freshman Latrez Harrison is waiting in the wings.
Spreading the Wealth
Eleven pass receivers have been utilized by freshman QB Calvin McCall, yet only Jermaine Arrington (Landover, Md.) and LaMont Jordan have caught as many as six. Six players have caught three or more passes.
In the last two games alone, four new players have gotten into the act - Bruce Perry, Scooter Monroe, Eric James (Washington, D.C.) and Marc Riley (Coram, N.Y.).
For true freshman Monroe and sophomore Riley, their first career receptions both were for touchdowns. For James, whose two receptions against West Virginia were the first of his career, he also scored though his TD came on his second catch.
Kopka Kicks
Junior placekicker Brian Kopka (Hollywood, Fla.) booted 12 field goals last season to rank among national leaders. He has begun 1999 with five field goals in three games.
Nine of kicker Kopka's 18 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks. He had just eight touchbacks all of last season.
Kopka is 11 of 11 lifetime from between 20 and 29 yards. He is 5-of-13 lifetime from 40 yards or more. He is 8-of-16 on attempts from 35 or longer.
He ranked as high as first in the country last season, and was among the top six all season, until missing his only attempt vs. Georgia Tech.
Kopka connected on 10 straight field goals last season, and 10 of 11 to begin the year.
He has had three, three-FG games in his career. He has six games with multiple FGs.
CAREER FIELD GOALS
FGs
1. Jess Atkinson, 1981-84 60
5. Dan DeArmas, 1988-91 32
6. Dale Castro, 1979-80 27
7. Brian Kopka, 1997-present 23
CAREER POINTS KICKING
Pts.
1. Jess Atkinson, 1981-84 308
5. Joe O'Donnell, 1994-96 148
6. Dale Castro, 1979-80 121
7. Ed Loncar, 1976-78 118
8. Mike Sochko, 1975-77 115
9. Brian Kopka, 1997-present 112
More Kopka Kicks ...
Kopka moved his name into consideration for All-America honors on and off the field of play last season. He was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given annually to the nation's top placekicker.
In addition to his on-field success, Kopka has been perfect in the classroom, boasting a cumulative GPA of 4.0. Kopka was a GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America nominee.
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.
Consecutive Starts
Terp veterans who enter the Georgia Tech with active starting streaks: DT Delbert Cosette-25, DE Peter Timmins-14, OLB Aaron Thompson-14, TE John Waerig-14, FB Matt Kalapinski-14, C Melvin Fowler-14, OG Jamie Wu-14, WR Jermaine Arrington-12.
Terp Miscellany
With the exception of left tackle Brad Messina, every player who has earned a starting assignment on the offensive side of the ball this season was brought into the program by head coach Ron Vanderlinden. (Messina actually was dismissed from the program prior to Vanderlinden's arrival, but was invited to return upon Vanderlinden's hiring).
The Terps are facing Georgia Tech following a bye week for the second consecutive season.
Roommate Homecoming
A pair of Terrapin freshmen return to their Atlanta stomping grounds this week. QB Latrez Harrison and OL Eric Dumas return to the home from where they departed just over a month ago for their first college football season.
Harrison, a talented quarterback who Terrapin coaches have said is "as good as advertised," has taken only a handful of snaps but has seen late action in each of the Terps' last two games.
Dumas, switched from a defensive line post in the early days of fall camp, is currently listed No. 2 at left tackle behind senior co-captain Brad Messina.
Tech Coordinator and Terps
A 1969 Maryland graduate and former Terp coach under Bobby Ross, Georgia Tech offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ralph Friedgen faces his alma mater once again this week.
Friedgen was chosen a 1967 and 1968 All-ACC Academic pick for Maryland. As an offensive guard, he earned the Terps' George C. Cook Memorial Award for highest academic average in both seasons.
Friedgen returned the Terrapins as a graduate assistant coach in 1972, and from 1982-86 was Maryland's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Bobby Ross. He moved with Ross to Georgia Tech in 1987, and to the NFL San Diego Chargers in the same capacity in 1992. Friedgen coached with Ross for 20 years before returning to Tech in 1997 under George O'Leary.
Corso and the Terps
ESPN analyst Lee Corso calls the action for one of his former teams, Maryland, when the Terps collide with Georgia Tech. Corso was a Maryland quarterbacks coach from 1959-65 after a stellar playing career at Florida State. Corso followed his college coach, Tommy Nugent, to Maryland after his graduation.
TERPS BY THE NUMBERS
0
Maryland interceptions in 65 pass attempts.
1
Times Maryland quarterbacks have been sacked through the season's first three games.
2
Maryland ranks second nationally in scoring defense, yielding an average of just 3.3 points per game.
2
The Terrapins have been scored upon in just two of 12 quarters this season (the first and third vs. Western Carolina, Sept. 11).
3
Career touchdowns by defensive back/kick returner Lewis Sanders. Two have come in the Terps' last two games.
3
Maryland has equaled its victory total from 1998.
4
Maryland is looking to win four straight since opening the 1995 season with a 4-0 record.
6
Number of times tailback LaMont Jordan has rushed for 100 yards or more in his last eight games.
6
The Terps face six teams in 1999 which advanced to bowl games last season: West Virginia, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Florida State and Virginia.
10
Takeaways recorded by the Terrapins through three games (six interceptions, four fumble recoveries).
5 and 12
Lewis Sanders has five takeaways of his own, compared to Terp opponents' three. Sanders has scored 12 points, opponents have scored 10.
25.6
Ron Vanderlinden continues to utilize underclassmen in his rebuilding process. The Terps have averaged better than 25 underclassmen (sophomores, redshirt freshmen, true freshmen) on their two-deep depth chart through the first three games of the season.
42
Yards needed by LaMont Jordan to become the seventh player in Maryland history - and first since 1986 - to reach the 2,000-yard rushing plateau.
265.3
Average rushing yards per game by the Terps.
TERPS AT A GLANCE
Quarterback
Redshirt freshman QB Calvin McCall, who won a preseason battle with sophomore Randall Jones for the starting position, has played beyond his years through the first portion of the season ... McCall, one of the Terps' most heralded signees in February of 1998, has helped open up the Maryland offense by hurting opponents via the pass and the run ... in three games, the Miami native has completed 31 of 59 (.525) throws for 430 yards and three touchdowns while rushing 26 times for 148 yards (5.7 average) and one score ... he has directed an offensive unit that has totaled 84 points in the past two games, the highest two-game output since 1984 ... in the last two weeks alone, McCall has completed 21 of 36 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns ... McCall, one of just four Division I-A freshmen to open the 1999 season at quarterback, is only the second freshman (true or redshirt) in the Terps' modern era (post-1950) to start more than two games at quarterback (Jones last season, with four, is the other) ... an athletically gifted QB who was recruited by Kansas to play basketball, McCall has also put his outstanding escape dimension on display through three games, having been sacked just one time in 59 pass attempts ... he has accomplished all of this despite playing just one year of quarterback in high school (in Orlando), where he was named the Central Florida Player of the Year and a third-team all-state choice as a senior in 1997 ... Jones, who started four games last season and entered fall camp No. 1, shifted back to safety after McCall wrapped up the starting position ... McCall is now backed by senior Trey Evans (four career pass attempts) and Atlanta true freshman Latrez Harrison, a 1998 prep All-American who was the Terps' top signee this past February ... the Terps rank 25th nationally in total offense.
Running Back
Junior tailback LaMont Jordan is putting up All-America-type numbers, with back-to-back career highs entering the Georgia Tech game ... Jordan, who needs just 42 yards to reach 2,000, rushed for 164 yards Sept. 18 vs. West Virginia one week after his then-career best 158-yard performance vs. Western Carolina Sept. 11 ... in his last two games, he is averaging 8.1 yards per carry, with 322 yards on 40 totes ... he enters the Terps' ACC opener against the Yellow Jackets having rushed for more than 100 yards in six of his last eight games dating to 1998 ... during that stretch, he has averaged 114 yards per game and 5.9 yards per carry while rushing for eight touchdowns ... in two career meetings against Georgia Tech, Jordan has totaled 199 yards on 44 carries, including a 102-yard effort last year in Baltimore ... he is expected to be the second-fastest Terp back to reach 2,000 career rushing yards if he can do it Sept. 30 in his 25th career game (Steve Atkins, 1975-78, hit the mark in career game No. 24) ... a sprained ankle to junior tailback Mukala Sikyala, Jr., in the opener has opened the door for true freshman Bruce Perry as Jordan's backup, and the 1998 Philadelphia Offensive Player of the Year has responded with 140 yards on just 15 carries (9.3 average) in the past two games ... Sikyala is expected to return for the Georgia Tech game ... veteran fullback Matt Kalapinski, a 14-game starter during his career, had a touchdown reception in the win over West Virginia ... Maryland lists eighth nationally in rushing yards per game (265.3), which would rank as the second-highest average in school history if it was to hold up for the season.
Wide Receiver
After a shaky start in the opener (multiple dropped passes in a 6-0 win over Temple), Maryland's wideouts have responded with numerous big plays in the past two games ... in the 33-0 win over West Virginia, senior Jermaine Arrington had an acrobatic 62-yard reception to set up the Terps' first touchdown, and sophomore Guilian Gary had both of his receptions in the final minute of the first half to set up a field goal that put the Terps up 13-0 ... the previous week, vs. Western Carolina, junior Jason Hatala had a 76-yard scoring reception and true freshman Scooter Monroe had a 72-yard scoring grab ... Arrington, who originally went to Memphis on a track scholarship, is averaging 20.3 yards on six receptions ... Gary (5 for 38), Hatala (3 for 89) and junior Omar Cheeseboro (3 for 34) round out the Terps' wideout rotation, which returned virtually intact from 1998.
Tight End
Senior John Waerig and sophomore Eric James give the Terps a solid combination at the tight end position ... Waerig, who began his career at the University of Wisconsin, is considered the "best blocking tight end in the ACC, bar none," according to Vanderlinden ... James, a local product from Washington, D.C., had his first career touchdown reception in the 33-0 victory over West Virginia ... the duo has combined for four catches for 57 yards.
Offensive Line
Maryland's offensive front, a mixture of experience and youth among the starting five, has made dramatic progress in weeks two and three after a sub-par performance in the opener vs. Temple ... in the past two games, the offensive front has helped pave the way for 1,009 yards of total offense and an average of 7.6 yards per play ... in addition, the Terps have yielded just one sack in three games after giving up an average of nearly three per game last season ... senior left tackle Brad Messina, a 24-game starter during his career, heads the offensive line which also includes returning starters in right guard Jamie Wu and center Melvin Fowler, Jr., both of whom have made 14 career starts ... two newcomers to the front include redshirt freshmen right tackle Matt Crawford, who has started all three games in '99, and converted tight end Todd Wike at left guard, who is playing with an oversized cast after suffering a spiral fracture on his right hand in fall camp ... two of Maryland's starters, Wu and Fowler, both started their Maryland careers on the defensive side of the ball before finding homes on the offensive front ... Fowler, in fact, has been entrenched at the center position after moving to the position just 10 days before the 1998 season opener ... depth is a concern for the Terps, who list six freshmen and sophomores on the 10-man two-deep.
Defensive Front
The Terps, who rank 21st nationally against the rush, boast a veteran front four featuring three seniors and one junior in the starting lineup ... all have seen significant experience, with the quartet combining for 66 career starts entering the Sept. 30 contest vs. Georgia Tech ... a pair of All-ACC candidates lead the way - senior tackle Delbert Cowsette, who ranked 11th in the ACC in average tackles per game (8.7) last season, and senior end Peter Timmins, one of the emotional leaders of the unit who led the team in sacks (5.5) a year ago ... junior Kris Jenkins, an 11-game starter, is a player with tremendous potential who enjoyed a solid fall camp, according to the coaches ... senior Erwyn Lyght is a combination linebacker/rush end who brings outstanding athleticism from the edge ... Timmins, who intercepted a fumble and returned it for a touchdown vs. Georgia Tech last season, already has one interception and two fumble recoveries in 1999.
Linebackers
An area of concern following the loss of the ACC's top two tackle leaders from last season's squad has not been much of a worry in the early going ... the Terps have received solid performances from sophomores Kevin Bishop and Marlon Moore, who have the unenviable task of stepping in for All-ACC backer Eric Barton (159 tackles) and Kendall Ogle (143), both of whom are playing in the NFL ... on the outside is talented sophomore Aaron Thompson, a contender for All-ACC honors who has been a force on defense for the Terps after finishing as the ACC's No. 2 freshman tackler (87 stops) last season.
Secondary
Junior Lewis Sanders has been the big-play specialist in a talented secondary unit for the Terps, who rank 15th nationally against the pass ... Sanders, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury suffered in the 1997 season finale against Georgia Tech, has one interception in each of the first three games and scooped up a fumble and returned it for a score in the win over West Virginia Sept. 18 ... he also has a 98-yard kickoff return for a TD (vs. Western Carolina) ... the 6-1 Sanders and 6-0 Renard Cox are solid corners with good size and cover abilities ... Cox, a JC transfer a year ago, is coming into his own as a senior after seeing action as a reserve his junior season ... at free safety is Shawn Forte, who is in his second season as a starter ... sophomore Rod Littles has started the last two games at strong safety following the loss of opening-game starter Tony Jackson, who is expected to be sidelined until at least mid-October with a broken left ankle suffered in the Temple game ... the secondary unit, led by Sanders' three picks, has accounted for five of the team's six interceptions ... sophomore corner Tony Okanlawon, a six-game starter last season, has yet to see any significant action while coming back from a hamstring pull suffered in fall camp.
Kicking Game
Special teams have been solid for the most part through the season's first three games ... Maryland ranks first nationally in kickoff return average (44.5), thanks to the efforts of deep man Lewis Sanders, who returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score vs. Western Carolina ... sophomore Guilian Gary is off to a fine start handling the punt return chores, with an average of 8.2 yards per return .... place kicker Brian Kopka, who shares the team scoring lead (24 points), is 5 of 7 on field goal attempts and has had nine of his 18 kickoffs result in touchbacks, one more than all of last season ... punter Sean Starner, in his first season as the starter, is punting for a 33.7-yard average through three game.
