Dec. 23, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. - After traveling to Orlando yesterday, the Maryland Terrapins took the field for the first time this afternoon to begin final preparations for the Champs Sports Bowl.

The two-hour workout took place at Thunder Field adjacent to Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, home of next Friday's game against Purdue. The Terps will hold four more workouts prior to the team's fourth bowl game appearance in the last six years.

"It's a fine line, because you want (the players) to enjoy themselves, and I do, but they also have to remember they represent the University of Maryland on Friday night," head coach Ralph Friedgen said today while speaking to the media after practice. "I was pleased with our energy and enthusiasm in practice, and it's been like that for all of our practices recently. By the end of exams we didn't have good practice, but that's probably attributed more to the exams than anything else. I think tomorrow is a very important practice for us, and I'm anxious to see how we do."

The Terps practiced in warm, muggy conditions under mostly clear skies, despite the threat of rain. While parts of the field were still water-logged from heavy showers overnight, the team was able to complete its practice outside. Most of the players seemed to relish the chance to play in temperatures significantly warmer than what they left in College Park.

"We're ready, we're hyped up," said senior cornerback Josh Wilson. "It's been a couple years since we've been in a bowl - a lot of these guys haven't even been before - so to get back here, especially in the hot weather, it feels good, and we're excited to be down here and be playing in the postseason. It's been a while since we've played a game, and we're looking forward to playing again."

The players were particularly spirited throughout the day, starting with a chant of "Red" and "White" during their pre-practice stretching exercises and continuing to their post-practice activities, including lunch at a Brazilian-style steakhouse and a visit to Sea World.

Kickoff from Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium is set for 8:00 p.m. (EST). The game will be televised live nationally 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: Approximately 50 players headed to Sea World this afternoon following lunch at the Texas de Brazil restaurant in Orlando ... the team will practice from noon to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow on Thunder Field ... the team and travel party will celebrate the holidays after practice with a Christmas Eve dinner at the Marriott World Center Resort, the host hotel for the Terps.