Sept. 12, 2002
On Thursday, Maryland junior cornerback Curome Cox dropped by to take questions as the Terrapins gear up to begin defense of their 2001 conference crown in Saturday's matchup with No. 5 Florida State (7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN), their first of the season against an ACC opponent.
Cox is the Terrapins most experienced defensive back, having started 21 games in his three-year career. A player who excels in press coverage, Cox has posted 13 tackles, two TFLs, a sack and has two pass breakups in 2002. His solid tackling is part of the reason the Terps (1-1) defense has allowed just two touchdowns this season. An All-ACC candidate, Cox and the Terrapin defensive backfield will get possibly its stiffest challenge of the year this weekend against FSU.
This is what Cox had to say:
Curome Cox: I am here and ready for your questions. Let's get started.
College Park: First off I would like to say congrats on last season and Good Luck with this season. How do you feel practices have been going this week considering you are playing FSU?
Curome Cox: We are a lot more focused because we know what we have at hand. We know the importance of the game and we want to keep improving so we are peaking at the right time come bowl season. We are a little more intense this week.
J.M. (Memphis): Curome, When facing Fla. St., do you prepare differently than you do for other teams?
Curome Cox: Not anything special. But with the talent they have you have to be aware of that in certain positions. But we have to stick to our game plan and execute the best we can. We have a lot of confidence in our game plan.
Coach Haskins (Woodbridge): Will the speed of Florida States' receivers be a problem for you and the other players in the secondary? Good luck boy!
Curome Cox: I don't see it being a problem. We feel we have the speed it takes to get the job done. It will come down to executing our game plan. I don't see speed being a major factor.
Paul (Germantown): Florida State running back Greg Jones looked dominant against Virginia, how do you plan to counter the Seminoles' powerful running attack?
Curome Cox: They have been running the ball well but we have confidence in our line and linebackers. We feel we can stop the run but we will have to step up for this game. We always want to stop the run first and then hopefully we can stop their passing attack as well.
Brian P (NYC): Do you feel the national coverage of last years team has helped in the recruiting of future top prospects from around the country?
Curome Cox: Definitely. It allowed all parts of the program to get better so we can attract those top prospect from around the country.
Victor (Harlem): Curome, tough loss to ND in the opener. What has the team done to encourage the new QB?
Curome Cox: We all know he has the potential and we know what he is capable of doing. He played great last week so we have a lot of confidence in him and all that we can ask is for him to play his best.
Nando (Baltimore): Congrats on your win over Akron.
As a new season tickets holder, what would you like to see from the fans at home games as the season progresses?
Good luck against Florida state on Saturday, I'll be watching!
Curome Cox: To continue to support the team. The fan support has been great. It shocked us to have such a big crowd last week. It always helps to have the big, loud crowds to pump us up and get us to play up to our potential.
terps4real: With Florida St. comming to College Park this saturday night, what has the atmoshphere been like on campus?
Curome Cox: It is pretty exciting. This is a great opportunity for us and it will be probably the biggest crowd we have ever had. Everyone is very excited to have FSU in town on national TV.
Joe in Crofton Maryland: My question is how is maryland secondary going to match up with the Florida State receivers?
Curome Cox: They have great receivers but I think we have a very talented and competitive secondary. I think we matchup well so it will come down to who executes and makes the most plays on their side of the ball.
Sam (Rockville): I went to the Akron game last week and saw that you still had that finger bandaged up. How long till you're 100% and how does this injury effect how you play?
Curome Cox: My finger was fine last week and I wore the bandage just for precautions. It is now kind of a good luck charm so I will probably keep it on.
NOLATerp: How did the defensive unit react to the struggles that occurred offensively in the season opening loss to Notre Dame?
Curome Cox: We just looked at it as a chance for us to step up. We felt that if we limited their scoring, it gave the offense a little more time to get in gear. The less points they other team scores, the less pressure there is on our offense.
Mark (Atlanta): How much will the injury bug affect Maryland this weekend against Florida State?
Curome Cox: We don't have that many injuries that I know of.
Ronald(Bennettsville): How long before you are 100%? What is the mindset of the team this year?
Curome Cox: We just want to continue to improve every game so we can better our team and the program. We want to control our destiny and we can do that by getting better every game.
femaleTerpfan: As of now you look poised to have a breakout year after stellar performances in the ND and Akron games. What do you see as your biggest challenge in the upcoming Florida State game? Good luck - we're all behind you!
Curome Cox: It will come down to who makes the most plays. We have to limit their big plays and we have to get some from our offense. We both have talented players so we matchup well so it is just a matter of who makes the most plays.
Scott (Springdale): What things around the Maryland football program have changed since the arrival of your coach? Is Notre Dame capable of producing an offensive touchdown?
Curome Cox: Just the mindset and the confidence level. They have taught us how to win. We go into every game thinking we can win the game, which wasn't necessarily the case before the new coaching staff. They have helped us reach our potential and get this program back to where it should be.
Mark (Atlanta): How much of a difference has Ralph Friedgan made on this program?
Curome Cox: He has done a tremendous amount for this program. We have the respect back in this program. He does the little things that it takes to get us back to the top. He is a great coach and a great guy to talk with on a presonal level.
TerpTerp: It obvious the defense is producing well, is you offensive scout team really that good and helpful, espically the receivers?
Curome Cox: Both our scout teams are great and give us a great look each day in practice. Our success is a credit to them and what they do for us in practice. Coach uses them very well.
Curome Cox: That is all the time I have for now. I appreciate your time and the continued support. I hope to see everyone out at a Maryland game this season.
Take care.
