Dec. 21, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team finished out its 2006 home practice schedule today, as the Terrapins close in on their appearance in the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 29 in Orlando, Fla.

The team held its final practice in College Park this afternoon and will continue preparations for Purdue over the next week in Orlando. The Terps will arrive in the Sunshine State tomorrow, where they will practice over the weekend.

Following a day off to observe the Christmas holiday, the Terps will shift back into gear with practice and other bowl festivities, leading up to the first-ever meeting with the Boilermakers.

In his final meeting with the media before heading down to Orlando, head coach Ralph Friedgen addressed some of the important issues facing the Terps as they seek their ninth win of the season and third-straight bowl victory. In particular, Friedgen knows how valuable that win can be.

"I think it would really help in the offseason, especially with our younger players," said Friedgen. "One of the things that's nice from this bowl is that we've had some kids who haven't experienced receiving [bowl] gifts. They like that. It always makes the bowl a lot more memorable for the fans and the players when you win, but it's not going to be easy with the tough team we're playing. We're going to have to play one of our better games, and we can't turn the ball over."

When looking at how to best prepare for the tough challenge that the Terps face in a little over a week, Friedgen noted that the answer can be found within the team's own practices.

"We've been working a lot against ourselves," he said. "We might have three team periods preparing for Purdue, and then another three going best-against-best so our defense gets to experience the top caliber and the speed of the game."

Kickoff from Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium is set for 8:00 p.m. (EST). The game will be televised live nationally in prime time on ESPN and broadcast on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network (105.7 FM and 1300 AM Baltimore; 630 AM Washington, D.C.).

Tickets for the Champs Sports Bowl are available through the Terrapins Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP or by visiting the Champs Sports Bowl page.

Terp Notes: The Terps travel party will depart campus at 11 a.m. Friday from the Gossett Team House and is scheduled to arrive in Orlando at 3 p.m. ... the team will resume bowl preparations Saturday morning on the practice field at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.