Football Game Notes -- Terps Host NC State for Homecoming 2004

Oct. 11, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -

Terps vs. NCSU Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

The University of Maryland football team will look to regroup and get back to its winning ways this Saturday when it hosts NC State University in what has become one of the best games on the schedule each year for both schools. Kickoff from a sold-out Byrd Stadium is 3:38 p.m. with the game being televised regionally by ABC and broadcast on the Terrapin Radio Network (radio pregame starts at 3:00 p.m.).

After heading into their bye week with one of the best offensive performances in recent memory, the Terrapins enter this week's game coming off of one of the toughest losses and worst offensive performances in years. The Terps (3-2, 1-1 ACC) posted 81 yards in their 20-7 loss to Georgia Tech, their lowest output since 1996 (62 yards vs. West Virginia).

NC State (3-2, 2-1 ACC) is also coming off of a tough loss, falling 30-24 to rival North Carolina in Chapel Hill. The Wolfpack racked up 311 rushing yards in the loss, but turned the ball over three times compared to zero giveaways by the Tar Heels.

For the first time this season, Maryland enters this week unranked in both polls, though they did receive votes in both the Associated Press (2) and ESPN/USA Today (36) polls. NC State, which was ranked 25th nationally heading into last week's game, also dropped out of the Top 25 but received 10 votes in the coaches' poll.

The Terrapins are 46-18-2 in their history and winners of four straight on homecoming. Maryland has squared off against NC State five other times on homecoming, winning all five, with the most recent being the Wolfpack's last trip to College Park, a 24-21 Terrapin win.

This Saturday's game will feature a flyover by the D.C. Air National Guard as the Terrapins take the field.

Series Notes -- Terps & Wolfpack

Saturday's homecoming game marks the 61st meeting between the Terrapins and Wolfpack. This year's game will give one team a slight edge in the all-time series -- which began in 1909 -- as the slate is currently knotted at 28-28-4.

NC State has won eight of the last 13 in the series, but Maryland has won the last four games and can extend its streak to five -- its longest since 1985 -- with a win this year. Maryland ran off six-straight wins from 1980-86, its longest run in the series' history (NC State owns the longest streak overall, winning eight from `63-`70).

In its history, the series has been one of peaks and valleys as NC State was in the midst of one of its best runs in the series, winning 11 of 14 games from 1986-1999 before Maryland started its current streak. That NCSU run came on the heels of Maryland's best stint, a 13-3-1 run from 1971-85. During that period, the Terps ran off a series-best six straight wins from 1980-85.

Though the outcome has favored Maryland each of the last four seasons, the games have all been close and marked some of the most exciting games in the series.

Last season, Maryland trailed 24-10 in the fourth quarter but overcame the deficit behind a 10-yard TD pass from Scott McBrien to Jo Jo Walker and later a two-yard scamper by McBrien. Nick Novak missed the extra point, however, setting the stage for one of the most dramatic wins in Terp history. With 1:50 remaining, LB Leroy Ambush blindsided TB T.A. McLendon and the Terrapins recovered, ultimately setting up Novak's chance at redemption, an opportunity he capitalized on from 43 yards with :23 left, giving the Terrapins a 26-24 win.

The 2003 win gave Maryland the inside track to the Toyota Gator Bowl and left the Wolfpack's standout quarterback Philip Rivers without a win in four tries against Maryland, the only ACC school he and head coach Chuck Amato had not beaten in their time together.

In 2002, Maryland trailed 14-0 early as Rivers threw for a touchdown and ran for another -- a controversial one-yard effort -- but a 64-yard Steve Suter scamper got the Terps on the board and back into the game. Bruce Perry and Scott McBrien each ran for touchdowns in the second half before Nick Novak hit a 26-yard game-winning field goal with :34 left in the game to seal a 24-21 Maryland victory.

Like 2002, this year's game against the Wolfpack will serve as the Terrapins' homecoming.

In 2001, the Terps went to Raleigh with the hopes of clinching their first ACC title in 16 years but trailed 12-10 at the start of the fourth quarter and 19-14 with 3:59 left. After Rich Parson was stripped at the goal line after what looked like a long TD pass from Shaun Hill to take the lead, the Terps' hopes seemed slim. But after the defense held on the next series, Hill marched Maryland 61 yards and capped the drive with a game-winning eight-yard pass to Guilian Gary with 41 seconds left.

Four years ago, a win over NC State rekindled bowl hopes for the Terps, if only temporarily. In that game, a 35-28 Maryland win in two overtimes, Shaun Hill took over in the second half after the Wolfpack had staked a 21-6 halftime advantage. Hill led the Terps back to a tie and ultimately the win. His one-yard TD run in the second overtime frame was the game winner, giving the Terrapins a win in their first OT game in school history.

Quick Hits, Week Five

Maryland's 20-7 loss to Georgia Tech was its first loss at home since the 2002 season. The Terrapins are now 21-2 at Byrd Stadium under Friedgen with last weekend's loss breaking a streak of 11-straight wins at home.

The Terrapins set lows under Ralph Friedgen for total offense, rushing offense and passing offense against the Yellow Jackets.

The Terps' struggles when trailing at the half continued as the team is now 4-9 under Friedgen when it heads to the locker room with a deficit. Maryland has yet to lose in the 30 times it takes a lead to the half.

Senior kicker Nick Novak's one point against Tech moved him into the top 10 of the NCAA's all-time point scoring leaders for kickers. With 368 career points, Novak is now tied for 10th with former Florida kicker Jeff Chandler, who totaled 368 from 1997-2001.

Georgia Tech had zero turnovers against the Terps on Saturday. The Jackets had averaged 3.0 giveaways per game headed into their matchup with the Terps. The Terps likewise had no turnovers for the first time in 2004.

Last Saturday's attendance of 52,733 marked the fifth-largest crowd in Byrd Stadium history and the largest of this season. Through three home games of 2004, the Terps are averaging 51,952 fans per game.

Friedgen's ACCeptional Start

Ralph Friedgen has opened his career as a head coach by setting one coaching record after another and as his fourth season in College Park moves along, he has once again placed his name in several record books for coaching wins.

In his three-plus years at Maryland, Friedgen has -- season-by-season -- established himself as one of the top coaches in ACC history. His first season featured an ACC championship and 10 wins, his second had him at the top of the record books for second-year mentors with a 21-5 record, and his third year had him atop the record books of third-year ACC coaches with a 31-8 record. His 31 wins were five more than the list's number-two coaches, Lou Holtz (NC State, 1972-74) and Danny Ford (Clemson, 1979-81).

With 31 wins in those first three years, Friedgen ranks seventh on the NCAA's all-time list for third-year head coaches. Along with Miami's Larry Coker (2nd), he is one of two active coaches on the list that features legendary names like Walter Camp (1st), Barry Switzer (4th) and John Robinson (6th).

Now with 34 wins, Friedgen already ranks tied for second -- tying NC State's Chuck Amato (34-17 from 2000-03) and former co-worker Bobby Ross (34-14, 1982-85) -- on the ACC list of fourth-year head coaches. With a win against NC State, he will move into a tie for first with Clemson's Ford who was 35-10-1 in his four years.

Notably, Friedgen now stands just 10 wins from tying Ford for the most wins by an ACC coach in his fifth year. Despite only being game five of his fourth season, Friedgen already ranks seventh on that list.

A Wealth of Experience

The coaching experience on the Terrapin staff does not end with Coach Friedgen and his coordinators. The Maryland staff, overall, possesses a combined total of 197 years of full-time experience at either the collegiate or pro levels.

That total includes four coaches (excluding Friedgen, Taaffe and Blackney) who have been at it for 18 years or more, and the 197 years means an average of almost 20 years of experience per coach on the 2004 staff.

Coaching Connections

Ralph Friedgen is not the only member of the Terrapin coaching staff with previous ties to College Park, though this is his fourth stint at Maryland (player from 1965-68; graduate assistant from 1969-72; offensive coordinator/offensive line coach from 1982-86 and the present stint).

Defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo was a graduate assistant for the Terrapins in 1984 and defensive line coach in `86-87.

Sollazzo is also one of several coaches with a connection to another school -- The Citadel. Sollazzo played for (1974-76) and helped coach (1989-98) the Bulldogs, while Friedgen coached there from 1973-79. Charlie Taaffe was a head coach there from 1987-96 and outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson served there from 1987-99.

Friedgen was actually Sollazzo's position coach at The Citadel. In addition, the head coach at the college at the time was former Terp mentor and current Army coach Bobby Ross (Bulldog head coach from 1973-77; Terps from `82-86).

Raising the Bar

With its win over Duke, Maryland has 34 victories over its last four seasons -- all since Ralph Friedgen took over in 2001.

The Terps' total of 31 wins from 2001-03 is the highest three-year win total in school history.

Prior to 2003, Maryland's best three-year win total was 28 (accomplished three times). With four more wins this season, the team will surpass the best four-year total in school history, 37 wins (1975-78).

Friedgen's tenure has thus far produced no season with less than 10 wins (the Terrapins will have to win the remainder of their games and a bowl game to accomplish that feat this year). In the previous 110 years of football, Maryland had never put together three straight nine-win seasons.

Since 1892, Maryland has had seven 10-win seasons, three of which have come in the previous three years.

Balance = Success

Because of his success at Georgia Tech with players like Shawn Jones, Joe Hamilton and George Godsey, it was assumed that Friedgen's offensive success came through the air. What four years at Maryland have shown is that the key to the offense run by he and coordinator Charlie Taaffe is based on one premise -- balance.

Taaffe's offense has posted almost identical numbers in the rushing and passing departments in his tenure. Since 2001, Maryland has averaged 199.3 yards rushing and 211.6 yards passing.

Through five games of 2004, the passing attack is a little ahead of the ground game in terms of yardage but the overall balance is still very much apparent. Maryland is averaging 174.4 yards per game rushing and 205.4 passing.

In 2001 and 2002, the Terps averaged more yards on the ground than through the sky, but with an experienced quarterback in 2003 (Scott McBrien), Maryland posted its largest discrepancy in three years (191.3 yards per game rushing vs. 230.4 passing).

Churning It Out

Historically, Maryland has had a reputation for producing some top-notch quarterbacks. Names like Esiason, Scarbath, O'Donnell and Reich have done nothing to discourage that. In recent years, however, the schools reputation of producing QBs is rivaled only by its production at tailback.

From 2001-2003, Maryland averaged no worse than 191.3 yards per game on the ground and had a three-year average of 202.5 yards per outing and a per-carry average of 4.6 yards.

In the 16 years between 1985 and 2000, the Terrapins averaged better than 191 yards per game on the ground just once (1999, 231.4), a season that saw the team's rushing prowess offset by a 143.6 per game passing average that ranked 99th nationally.

Through five games in `04, the Terps are averaging 174.4 yards per game on the ground.

Following the departure of LaMont Jordan in 2000, the big question was "who would carry the load?" The answer has come in waves -- Bruce Perry, Marc Riley, Chris Downs, and now Josh Allen and Sammy Maldonado.

Now in his third year, Allen has rushed for 1,675 yards and 20 TDs. An eight-game starter in 2003, his 257 yards against Virginia marked the 11th-best day in ACC history and the seventh-best in Division I-A last season. He currently ranks 12th on the Terp career yardage list.

In addition, Allen's five-yard touchdown run against Duke tied him for seventh all-time on the Maryland career list.

Allen has posted four career 100-yard games and one in 2004.

Maldonado rushed for 84 yards in the opener and then followed it up with his first career 100-yard game, a 106-yard, two-touchdown effort against Temple. After averaging 6.0 yards per carry a year ago before injuring his knee, "The Bull" is averaging 4.7 through five games of 2004.

Maldonado is now seventh in the ACC in rushing with 76.2 yards per game and leads the Terps with five touchdowns.

Defense Pulls Rank

When he was hired to come to Maryland, the talk about the mark Ralph Friedgen would make in College Park was all about offense. And though the offense put together by Friedgen and coordinator Charlie Taaffe has consistently been among the nation's best, what has been unquestionably the team's most consistent force in four seasons has been its defense.

Defensive coordinator Gary Blackney's defense has been a unit charactarized by stopping the run and making teams score by moving the ball through the air. With a scoring average of 18.8 points allowed per game since 2001, that feat has obviously been a tall order for Terrapin foes.

Maryland's ranking in scoring defense the previous three years got progressively better with each season, as the Terps ranked 18th in 2001, seventh in 2002 and sixth a year ago.

In each of the previous three seasons' final defensive rankings, Maryland has had just one team -- Georgia -- finish higher in scoring defense.

This season, the Terrapins' defensive scoring average is skewed somewhat due to events beyond the defense's control. If one were to eliminate points scored off of turnovers, fumble or interceptions returned for touchdowns and kickoff returns for touchdowns, the Maryland defense is allowing 13.0 points per game compared to its current average of 20.4.

Since 2001, 30 of Maryland's 44 opponents (68%) have been held to 20 points or less.

Maryland has yet to see a year under Blackney's watch where opponents average more than 20 points per game. This season, the Terps are allowing just over 20 points per contest (20.4).

Since 2002, Maryland has held its opposition scoreless in 63 quarters (eight thus far in 2004).

Despite losing three starting defensive backs a year ago, the Terps are currently ranked 23rd nationally in pass defense, allowing an average of 167.6 yards per game through the air.

Since 2001, Maryland has held its opposition below 100 yards rushing 10 times. In addition, the team has held six opponents to 100 yards or less passing in that time, including four teams in 2003.

Against Duke, the Terp defense held the opposition to 185 yards of total offense (83 rushing, 102 passing). Along the way, the defense held six of the Blue Devils' 12 drives to three plays or less.

Living Up To Their Name

After stumbling out of the blocks in their first year, Maryland's special teams have been nothing short of, well, special the last two years under coordinator Ray Rychleski.

In placekicker Nick Novak, punter Adam Podlesh and return man Steve Suter, the Terrapins have the ACC's first team all-conference kicker from 2002 and 2003, its second-team punter from 2003 (and the first Terp freshman in history to make All-ACC) and a specialist who has been first team all-league since 2002.

The Terps have drawn national attention for their unit in 2004 as they have been ranked in the preseason as one of the best units in the nation by Collegefootballnews.com (1st), Lindy's (1st), ESPN (3rd) and Phil Steele (3rd).

Young Guns

In three of the last four years, Maryland has been faced with opening its season with a quarterback in his first year playing in the offensive system. While this year is different in the sense that Joel Statham and the team's other quarterbacks have all come up in the Friedgen offense, this year's starter will face a new set of challenges as the least experienced the Terps have put on the field in recent years.

Maryland's group of five quarterbacks entered this season having thrown 25 career passes between them at the collegiate level (all 25 attempts were by Statham in 2003).

The Terrapins have no players at the position older than a sophomore. The group includes two sophomores (Statham, Hollenbach), two redshirt freshmen (Mitch, Moyseenko) and one true freshman (Steffy).

With his start in the opener, Statham was the least experienced to take the field in terms of passes thrown at either the college or junior college level since Latrez Harrison started as a freshman against Florida State in 1999.

Suter Sets ACC Mark

After two years as the ACC's first-team specialist and one of Maryland's top playmakers, Steve Suter is no longer flying under anybody's radar. He is more likely to be flying down the sideline.

Now in his final year of eligibility at Maryland, Suter does it all for the Terps. A starting wideout who returns punts and kicks, Suter has also been involved in the running game and is one of the team's few receivers who can play at any spot (X, Z or slot).

In the last three years, Suter has averaged 15.3 yards per touch whether it be rushing, receiving or in the returns game.

With his first return of the day against Georgia Tech, Suter became the ACC's all-time leader in punt return yardage, surpassing the mark of NC State's Ledel George (1,191, 1990-93). He enters game six of the 2004 season with 1,212 yards.

In 2002, Suter tied the NCAA record for punt returns for a touchdown in a season (4). He returned two punts last season for scores, leaving him just two shy of tying the current NCAA career record of eight (Wes Welker, Texas Tech, 2000-03; Antonio Perkins, Oklahoma, 2001-pres.).

Suter's six returns for a TD are a Maryland record.

The opposition has thus far been punting away from Suter this season, angling 17 of their 30 punts out of bounds. The result -- an opponent net punting average of 32.0 yards per attempt.

Action Jackson

The question surrounding the 2004 Terrapins heading into the season was virtually all about the quarterback position. It was only a year ago, however, that the same "buzz" was surrounding "who would replace E.J. Henderson" at middle linebacker. Thanks to the play of D'Qwell Jackson, those questions are as good as forgotten.

Last season -- his first as a starter -- Jackson led the team in tackles with 136, one shy of the record for tackles by a sophomore at Maryland. His 10.5 tackles per game ranked him seventh in the ACC and tops among sophomores.

Maybe the fiercest competitor on the Terp roster, Jackson has led the Terrapins in tackles in 10 of 18 games the last two years. He has also had 11 career games with double-digit tackles.

Five games into this year, Jackson is again leading the team in tackles (52) as well as the ACC with his 10.4 average. He is also tied for fifth in the league in passes defensed with an average of one per game.

Jackson was one of the lone bright spots against Georgia Tech, tying his career-high with 16 tackles (four solo) while added a half TFL and a PBU.

After suffering a hyperextended elbow against Temple in week two, concern was that Jackson might have trouble playing against WVU. On the contrary, he finished with a career-high tying 16 tackles, a sack, one TFL and one pass breakup.

In the opener, Jackson racked up nine tackles and intercepted two passes against Northern Illinois, both of which led to Terrapin scores.

Lights On

After playing through injury most of last season, DE Shawne Merriman -- a.k.a. "Lights Out" -- seems as if the light has gone on this year.

A true junior, Merriman is in his first season as the full-time starter but is already making waves in the Terrapin record books. In 32 career games, Merriman has posted 24 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks.

With his next sack, he will move into second on the Terp all-time list (he is currently tied for fifth) and he now stands just six sacks from owning the school's career record (Mike Corvino, `79-82, currently holds the mark with 24).

With two more TFLs, Merriman will crack the Maryland career top 10. He is currently tied for 12th.

Merriman leads the Terrapins and is tied for first in the ACC in sacks (five total/1.0 avg.) and fourth in TFLs (six total/1.5 avg.). He is also tied for second in fumbles forced with two.

Youth is Served

With 22 seniors (12 of whom were starters), last year's Maryland squad was the most experienced in the last four years. One year later, the 2004 edition of the Terps has just three less seniors but it is easily the least experienced of Ralph Friedgen's tenure.

This year's team has the largest group of true freshmen in recent memory (30). All told, there were 49 Terrapins on this year's roster with four years or more of eligibility remaining at the beginning of the season. • In the Terrapins' first five games of 2004, a total of 35 sophomores and freshmen have seen action including seven true freshmen, one more than all of last year.

6 The Hard Way

If a team wants to attack Maryland through the air, its best option is not on CB Domonique Foxworth's side of the field. The most experienced member of the Terrapin defense, Foxworth has started every game since the end of 2001 and earned All-ACC recogntion each year he has been a full-time starter.

Foxworth is the anchor of a defensive backfield that lost three players (Curome Cox, Dennard Wilson and Madieu Williams) who earned some form of postseason recognition from the league last season. A first-teamer in 2002, he was second team last year after tying for fourth in the league with three interceptions.

For his career, Foxworth has posted 27 pass breakups and eight interceptions. He has four pass breakups thus far in his senior season, a year that has seen the majority of the opposition's attempts go to the other side of the field.

Currently 20th on the Terp career charts, Foxworth can move into a tie for seventh with two more interceptions.

Foxworth was honored during the telecast of this year's Duke game with BB&T's Community Service Award.

Turtles in Name Only

It has been documented that this year's team is the youngest of the Friedgen Era. Notably, it may also be the fastest.

The Terrapins had 17 players run in the 4.5-or-better range in the 40-yard dash in spring testing (note that all but four true freshmen did not participate).

Six of the nine wide receivers who tested in the spring ran 4.51 or better, two tailbacks ran under a 4.5 (Allen and Merrills) and three defensive backs ran a 4.4 or better (Custis, McPhearson, Wilson).

Two notable times -- CB Gerrick McPhearson ran a team-best 4.29; P Adam Podlesh ran the best time ever for a punter at Maryland with a 4.46.

Novak 10th on NCAA List

It seems like ages since placekicker Nick Novak hit a pair of memorable kicks at Georgia Tech that got the ball rolling for him and the Terrapins in 2001. Now a senior, Novak has gone from the focal point of a position of concern on the Terp roster to one of the premier players at his position in the country.

Starting with his game-tying kick at Georgia Tech in `01, Novak has made 69 of his last 83 field goal attempts (83%), with five of the 14 misses coming from 50 yards or further (and one being a block).

A semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award the last two years, Novak is 56 points from breaking the mark of current NCAA record holder for scoring, Houston's Roman Anderson (423, 1988-91). Novak enters this weekend's game with 368 career points, a total which ties him for 10th on the NCAA list with Florida's Jeff Chandler (1997-2001).

With his next field goal, Novak will move into a tie for seventh on the NCAA list.

Novak's first field goal of this season, a 43-yarder against Northern Illinois, set a new ACC scoring record, breaking the mark of FSU's Scott Bentley (326).

With his game-winning 43-yard field goal in last year's NC State game, Novak became the all-time leading scorer in Maryland history, surpassing the 308 points of Jess Atkinson (1981-84).

A first team All-ACC pick in 2002 and 2003, Novak is currently second among ACC kickers in scoring (8.8 ppg; 26th in NCAA) and first in field goal percentage (75.0) and PAT percentage (100.0). He is seventh in the NCAA in field goals with an average of 1.8 per game.

The Charlottesville, Va., native has made 54 percent (7-of-13) of his attempts for his career from 50 yards or further. He owns the school record with a 54-yard kick against Duke in 2003.

Podlesh Leads NCAA in Net Average

Sophomore Adam Podlesh had a tall order a year ago in filling the shoes of Maryland's all-time leading punter, Brooks Barnard. His performance, however, was more like that of a senior on his way to school records than it was of a first-year performer.

Podlesh averaged 42.3 yards per punt a season ago, third-best in the ACC. It was his net punting and, more specifically, his ability to pin an opponent that had him finish the season as a Ray Guy Award semifinalist.

Thus far in 2004, Podlesh maintains a 45.9-yard average (sixth-best in the nation) and his net average (43.7) leads the NCAA.

On 71 career punts, Podlesh has dropped 39 percent (28) inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

Podlesh has placed six of his 18 punts this year inside the 20.

His 42.3-yard average in 2003 was the fifth-best in school history and best ever by a freshman.

In being named a second team All-ACC selection at punter, Podlesh became the first freshman in school history to be recognized by the league.

Iron Terps

Maryland's strength numbers over the course of the last four years have been off the charts. This season, 43 players earned "Iron Terp" status, an honor that is based on a player's strength index (determined by a strength/weight formula).

Due to the team's youth, the strength numbers have fallen slightly compared to last year, but the averages are still staggering nonetheless. The team's average bench press is 341.9; its average squat 514.2; and its average power clean is 296.3 as determined in preseason testing.

Not only were new individual records set, but the team as a whole improved dramatically, as 72 percent of the players on this year's team elevated their personal bests in strength index -- which encompasses all of the tests into one number -- from the year previous.

The player who set the most records at his position this year was tight end Vernon Davis. The young H-back posted records for strength index (736), bench (425 pounds), power clean (330 pounds) and vertical jump (38 inches) He also posted a 4.5 time in the 40-yard dash.

For the second-straight season, FS Ray Custis led the team in overall strength index, posting a 809, the best ever by a Maryland defensive back.

Local Ties

The Terrapins have six players who call the state of North Carolina home: OG Russell Bonham (Winston-Salem/Carver HS); LB Chase Bullock (Durham/Northern HS); FB Matt Deese (Greensboro/NE Guilford HS); LB William Kershaw (Raeford/Hoke County HS); DT Dennis Marsh (Browns Summit/NE Guilford HS); and DT Dre Moore (Charlotte/Independence HS).

Maryland offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe was a graduate assistant at NC State in 1975 and defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo coached at Guilford College in 1988.

The Wolfpack do not have any players who call the state of Maryland home.

NC State running backs coach Dick Portee was an assistant coach at Maryland from 1982-89. Cornerbacks coach Greg Williams was at Maryland from 1982-86 as a secondary coach and from `87-91 as defensive coordinator.

Terps Among Nation's Elite

Over the course of the past three-plus years, the Maryland football program has been among the best in the nation. The Terrapins are 34-10 in that span with a 21-2 record at home.

Maryland was one of just five BCS programs to win at least 10 games from 2001-2003. The four others are Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma, Texas and Washington State.

The Terrapins are joined by just four other schools since 2001 to finish each of those three seasons ranked in the nation's top 20 in both major polls while also earning a spot in the top 25 of both preseason polls for 2004 (Miami (Fla.), Oklahoma and Texas and Michigan are the others).

Scouting the Wolfpack

Like Maryland, NC State enters this weekend's game on the heels of a tough loss as it fell last weekend to rival North Carolina, 30-24, following a controversial play late in the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack are 3-2 (2-1 ACC).

In last weekend's contest at UNC, TB T.A. McLendon had a touchdown with 24 seconds that would have tied the game called back because his knee was ruled down. On the ensuing play with 14 seconds left, McLendon fumbled and the game was over.

NC State is a very different team than the one the Terrapins took on in Raleigh last season. Gone are offensive standouts Philip Rivers and Jerricho Cotchery. What the team lost on offense, however, it has seemed to have gained on defense.

The Pack are first in the nation in pass defense (112.2 avg.), third in total defense (226.2 avg.) and 13th in pass efficiency defense (98.59). Last weekend, UNC became the first team this season to score 30 points on NCSU.

Though they have struggled through the air, NC State has been outstanding running the football this season. The team is 25th nationally in rushing offense and McLendon leads the ACC and is 15th nationally with 110.8 yards per game.

Redshirt junior Jay Davis has been the team's starter at QB through five games. Davis is 72-of-108 for 848 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

The defense has been full of leadership this season with linebackers Pat Thomas and Oliver Hoyte leading the team in tackles (37); DE Manny Lawson leading the team and ACC in sacks with five as well as leading the team in TFLs with 7.5 (fifth in the ACC).

NC State's Chuck Amato

Now in his fifth season in Raleigh, Chuck Amato is 37-19 (.661) in his first stint as a head coach and has led the Wolfpack to bowl berths in each of his first four seasons at the helm.

NC State has garnered the nickname the "Cardiac Pack" under Amato as his team has come from behind to get the win in 17 of his 37 victories as head coach.

Amato arrived at NC State after spending 18 seasons at Florida State under Bobby Bowden. While at FSU, Amato directed the Seminole defensive line for 14 seasons before becoming the linebackers coach for four years.

Amato began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Easton High School in Easton, Pa. Since that time, Amato has spent time at three schools including a nine-year stint at NC State where he worked his way from being a graduate assistant from 1971-72 to eventually becoming the Pack's defensive coordinator from 1976-79. After State, Amato spent two seasons at Arizona before his 18-year tenure in Tallahassee.

A 1969 graduate of NC State, Amato was both a football player and wrestler in college. Amato played linebacker for the Wolfpack and won two ACC titles in two different weight classes as a grappler.

Big Games Remembered

The 2004 season is one that stands decades from a pair of the more memorable games in the history of the Maryland program.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of one of the great games of all time, not just in Maryland lore, as November 10, 1984, was the date of the Terps' 42-40 come-from-behind win at Miami.

In that contest, the Terrapins trailed 31-0 at halftime, but the "King of Comebacks," Frank Reich, led his team to 42 second half points in a game that has been dubbed the greatest comeback in college football history.

Notably, Ralph Friedgen was the offensive coordinator on that 1984 team and DL coach Dave Sollazzo was a graduate assistant.

This season is also the 40th anniversary of one of the most memorable games in the history of Maryland/Navy, a rivalry from 1905-1965 that will be resumed next season.

On November 7, 1964, Maryland defeated the Midshipmen and their Heisman Trophy QB of the previous year, Roger Staubach. It did so behind a 101-yard kickoff return by Kenny Ambrusko with 2:58 remaining, leading to a 27-22 victory that was the Terrapins' first in 12 years (and four meetings) over Navy.

Protecting the House

The Terrapins are 21-2 at Byrd Stadium under Ralph Friedgen and have won their last 13 straight at home.

With Maryland's win over Virginia on Nov. 13, the Terps finished the 2003 season with a perfect 6-0 record at home, marking the second time in Ralph Friedgen's three-year tenure that the team has finished its home slate unblemished.

In 111 seasons of football, Maryland has finished undefeated at home 18 times. Just seven of those occasions, however, have come since 1950 (when Byrd Stadium opened) and just twice has it happened since 1975 (`76 and 2001).

The Terrapins' 6-0 mark in 2003 was a tie for the second-best record at home in school history. The 1976 team was also 6-0, only to be trumped by the 2001 team which won all of its games on a seven-game home slate.

More on Byrd Stadium

Now in its 55th year of operation, Byrd Stadium continues to serve as the home of the Terps. Opened on Sept. 30, 1950, and constructed for a sum of $1 million, Byrd was named after Dr. H.C. "Curley" Byrd, a multi-sport star at Maryland who later became the school's head football coach and ultimately its president.

Heading into 2004, the Terrapins are 177-101-1 within the friendly confines of Byrd.

With temporary bleachers installed again this season, Byrd Stadium can hold up to 51,500.

A Class Act

The success of the Maryland football team has not stopped on the playing field in recent years, as the team has improved its academic standing under Ralph Friedgen's watch.

All 19 members of this year's senior class are on schedule to earn their degrees on time.

Since Friedgen joined the Terps in 2001, 58 of 66 football players who have exhausted their eligibilty have graduated, including 30 in fewer than five years.

Two players on this year's team -- DE Kevin Eli and WR Steve Suter -- have already earned their degrees. One other, CB Domonique Foxworth, needs just one class to complete his requirements in three-and-a-half years.

Suter was one of the team's top scholar-athletes, earning a 4.0 grade point average in 2003-04.

From the membership has its benefits file: when on the road, Friedgen lets players line up to eat by grade point average. The Terps must be hungry -- 11 players earned a 3.5 GPA or better for the entire 2003-04 academic year.

Terp Alley

In an effort to restore some tradition on gameday in College Park, the football staff created Terp Alley in 2001, a tradition that has become a part of the gameday experience outside Byrd Stadium.

For every football home game, the entire football team makes its first appearance of the day at "Terp Alley." The team is dropped off at the circle at the top of Field House Drive (between the football press box and Ludwig Field) approximately two hours before kickoff and is led past fans gathered along the street to the football complex by the Maryland band and cheerleaders.

Football Game Notes -- Terps Host NC State for Homecoming 2004

Players Mentioned

Chase Bullock

Dre Moore

Footer

Football Game Notes -- Terps Host NC State for Homecoming 2004

Related News

Players Mentioned

Chase Bullock

Dre Moore

Related Videos

Footer