ACC Football Media Tour Stops In Maryland
8/20/2000 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 20, 2000
Maryland Head Coach Ron Vanderlinden made a presentation to members of the ACC Football Media Tour Sunday. Read quotes from the coach and then scroll down to see what the players had to say as the Terps get closer to their home opener against Temple on Sept. 9.
Coach Ron Vanderlinden on the upcoming season:
"One of our biggest challenges is to improve the passing offense. We've gotten bigger and have good speed at receiver. We hope to make the same improvements in our passing game this year that we did in our rushing game last year.
I see us being really close here. I see the next two years being the benchmark years here at Maryland."
Vanderlinden on LaMont Jordan as a runner:
"LaMont led the nation in rushing the last six games. He rushed for 1,000 yards in those last six games. One - he's got the speed to take the ball the distance. Two - he's got the manuverability to make defenders miss in the open field. Three - at 220 pounds, he's got the physical build to run you over."
Vanderlinden on learning from last season:
"Our guys bled a little, regrouped, got together and said, 'Never Again.' They say adversity builds character. That's not true. Adversity exposes character. It shows who you are. Our guys are ready to take that next step."
Vanderlinden on the ACC:
"This is a high octaine conference. You better be able to make plays in the air and score points. I feel like we're up to speed now - with the personnel and the system - to do it...
Looking past FSU, the conference is balanced. It's a good thing for the ACC. It'd be good for the conference to get Maryland back in the mix."
LaMont Jordan on wearing No. 15 as a running back:
"I've spent my whole life watching quarterbacks. I was given this number when I got here. I had a good game wearing it as a freshman and kept it. In high school, I had No. 2. I'm more of a quarterback guy, watching the Elway's, Jeff George's and Dan Marino's."
Fullback Matt Kalapinski on lessons learned from last season:
"After those last games last season, we've learned to finish strong. It hurt us. We've got to start strong and finish strong."
Wide Receiver Jason Hatala on the passing game:
"We'll definitely be a much better passing team, I believe. Now we have a balanced attack. If the opposing team loads up people in the box, we have a quarterback that can get it over their heads and the receivers that will go out and get it."
