Terrapins Accept Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Bid
11/30/2002 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 30, 2002
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (Nov. 30, 2002) - The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl today extended an invitation to the University of Maryland Terrapins making them the ACC's representative in the Bowl's 35th anniversary game New Year's Eve. Maryland Athletic Director Deborah Yow and Head Coach Ralph Friedgen formally accepted the bid in an on-field ceremony following the Terps' win over Wake Forest.
"Today wasn't just a big win for Maryland, it was a big win for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl," said William Pate, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl chairman.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl President Gary Stokan added, "This program has created something very special up here this season finishing second in the ACC and winning nine of its last 10 games. We're privileged to have them in our bowl."
Maryland, ranked No. 23 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, finished the regular season 10-3 (6-2, tied for second in the ACC) due in large part to a great team effort that saw eight players named to the All ACC First Team Offense and Defense. This marks the first time the Terrapins have assembled back-to-back 10-win seasons and the first time a 10-win team has played in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. With a bowl victory, Maryland will tie its school record of 11 wins.
"Our team feels privileged and excited at having been selected to play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl," said Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen. "I'm proud of what our players accomplished this year - winning 10 games for the second consecutive season and earning a spot in one of college football's traditional bowl games. Having lived in Atlanta, I know our players and fans are in for a great bowl experience."
The Terrapins' only other Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl appearance came in 1973 - a 17-16 loss to Georgia.
"There is no better validation for our football program than to follow-up last season with 10 more wins and a trip to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, the best bowl available outside of a BCS bowl," Yow said. "Our fans had a great time following our basketball team to the Final Four in Atlanta, and I know they're looking forward to going back with our football team."
The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl is recognized as the nation's most competitive bowl game, and will play its 35th anniversary game at 7:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve in the Georgia Dome. This year's anticipated $2 million per team payout will bring the Bowl's 35-year total payout to more than $58 million.
