Nov. 15, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Despite a cold steady rain, the Maryland football team took to the practice field Thursday evening to make its final preparations for Saturday's road contest at Florida State (6-4, 3-4 ACC). Fresh off their biggest win of the year, an upset of eighth-ranked Boston College, the Terrapins (5-5, 2-4) can move closer to a bowl berth with a win over the Seminoles.

The Terps are looking to become bowl eligible for the fifth time in the last seven seasons.

"I still feel like we have an opportunity to finish pretty well," Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said after the practice. "I don't know where we would have been if we had lost to Boston College. But this is a big game. The team seemed to be spirited today. I think the will is there."

Coming off a sharp performance in the win over Boston College, quarterback Chris Turner will look to continue his strong play against the Noles. The sophomore threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Terps over the Eagles, and was named ACC Offensive Back of the Week for the second time this season.

"Obviously I think he has some tools. He has some innate abilities that allow him to see the field," Friedgen said of Turner. "The area that he has to get better at is being consistent. I don't think he ever gets down on himself though, and that's a positive thing."

Friedgen also praised fullback Cory Jackson for his pass protection in last weekend's win. Jackson has been playing with a cast on his left hand since he broke it in the Virginia game nearly a month ago.

"He was our linebacker-stopper. He's smart and he knew when [the linebackers] didn't come, right where to go help," Friedgen said. "He's an anomaly, that guy. Where do you ever find a fullback who is as tough as he is, and is also very, very bright. God doesn't make those people. Usually you're smart enough not to go bang heads with 250 pound linebackers, but he likes it. He's football smart too and very instinctive."

Linebacker Erin Henderson and left tackle Scott Burley have been limited in practice for the past few weeks with injuries, but Friedgen said he expected both to play Saturday. Neither practiced in the week leading up to the upset of Boston College, but both responded with huge games.

Henderson led the team (along with Dave Philistin) with 13 tackles, while Burley graded out as the team's best lineman and was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.

At the conclusion of Thursday's practice, Friedgen announced the captains for Saturday's game. Dre Moore will represent the defense, Lance Ball, the offense, and Isaiah Gardner, the special teams unit.

Aaron Ball, a junior linebacker from Owings Mills, Md. and wide receiver Torrey Smith, a freshman out of Fredericksburg, Va., were chosen as the defensive and offensive scout team players of the week.

Kickoff for Saturday's game against Florida State is set for noon ET from Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Terps, who will try to spoil senior day for the Seminoles, have never won in Tallahassee before, but have come close in the last few visits. Last year, Maryland downed Florida State 27-24 in College Park, behind Darrius Heyward-Bey's two touchdown receptions and sealed it Jeremy Navarre's block of the potential tying field goal in the closing seconds.

Saturday's game will be televised regionally by Raycom/Lincoln Financial Sports and will also be carried by the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, which includes WHFS 105.7 FM in Baltimore, WJFK 1300 AM in Baltimore and WJFK 106.7 FM in Washington, D.C.

Locally the game can be seen on WJZ (CBS 13) in Baltimore and WDCA (Channel 20) in Washington, D.C.

The game will be replayed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, following the replay of the Outback Steakhouse Ralph Friedgen Television Show.

The Friedgen Television Show airs initially at 11:30 a.m. each Saturday.