Maryland Football Plays Host to No. 21 Wake Forest Saturday
10/13/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Oct. 18
Maryland (4-2, 1-1 ACC)
vs.
No. 21 Wake Forest (4-1, 2-0 ACC)
Kickoff: Noon ET
Location: College Park, Md.
Stadium: Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium (51,500)
TV: Raycom Sports - Steve Martin (play-by-play), Rick `Doc' Walker (color) and Mike Hogewood (sidelines) are scheduled to call the action. For a complete list of Raycom affiliates airing the game click Raycom Affiliates List for those viewers not in one of the Raycom Sports markets. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will rebroadcast the game at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network - Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Jonathan Claiborne (color) and Tim Strachan (sidelines) have the call. XM Satellite Radio Channel 190. Pregame with Gary Stein and Scott McBrien begins at 10:30 a.m. Click here to Listen Live on-line. The Terrapin Sports Radio Network (14 affiliates): 105.7 FM (WHFS) - Baltimore (Flagship); ESPN Radio 1300 AM (WJFK) - Baltimore (Flagship); WJFK 106.7 FM - Washington D.C.; WCEM AM 1240 - Cambridge; WBEY 97.9 FM - Crisfield; WGOP AM 540 - Crisfield; WTBO AM 1450 - Cumberland; WFMD AM 930 - Frederick; WARK AM 1490 - Hagerstown; WPTX 1690 AM - Lexington Park, Md.; WVMD 99.5 FM - Midland; WMSG AM 1050 - Oakland; WQMR FM 101.1 - Ocean City; WTGM AM 960 - Salisbury.
Tickets: Tickets are available through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office. Fans my call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here. Click here here for Gameday Quick Facts about tickets, will call, parking and shuttles.
Terps on the Air...
Maryland's football broadcasting lineup for 2008-09, includes the Ralph Friedgen Radio Show and the Ralph Friedgen Television Show (FridgeTV). The Ralph Friedgen Radio Show airs from 8-9 p.m. each Wednesday during the season on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network which increased from 10 to 14 affiliates this season. The Ralph Friedgen Television Show, which is presented by Outback Steakhouse, airs weekly at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The fast-paced, 30-minute show goes behind the scenes with Friedgen and the Maryland football team. Replays of the show are normally scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday on Comcast SportsNet, just prior to the rebroadcast of the Terps most recent football game (note: Saturday's game will replay at 4 p.m. Sunday). Comcast SportsNet will carry the official rebroadcasts of all 12 University of Maryland football games. Friedgen also appears each Wednesday during the season on Comcast's SportsNite wrap-up show. Comcast goes live "Inside the Coach's Office" with Friedgen at 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday.
First-and-10...
• Maryland had its three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday, Oct. 4, with a 31-0 loss at Virginia. The Terrapins will attempt to rebound this week when they open a two-game homestand against No. 21 Wake Forest, which leads the Atlantic Division. The Terps have won their last four within the confines of Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. The Demon Deacons are coming off a hard-fought 12-7 home victory over Clemson (Oct. 9). Maryland and Wake Forest will kick off at noon with Raycom Sports handling the regional TV broadcast. Locally the game can be seen on WJZ-TV (Channel 13) in Baltimore and WDCA-TV (My 20) in Washington, D.C. The contest can also be heard over the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will replay the game at 4 p.m. Sunday.
• Maryland will be in search of its fifth straight win over a nationally-ranked opponent (AP poll) when Wake Forest visits College Park Saturday. The Terps have two wins over top 25 teams this season (No. 20 Clemson; No. 23 California). They also knocked off No. 8 Boston College and No. 10 Rutgers in 2007. The Terps are one of just five teams nationally this season to knock off two ranked teams. East Carolina (No. 17 Virginia Tech; No. 8 West Virginia), Alabama (No. 9 Clemson; No. 3 Georgia), USC (No. 5 Ohio State; No. 23 Oregon) and Vanderbilt (No. 24 South Carolina; No. 13 Auburn) join the Terps on the list. Maryland and ECU are the only two among that group to win both games when unranked. Three (WFU, Virginia Tech and UNC) of the Terps' next four foes are currently ranked in the top 25.
• After averaging 35.3 points during its three-game winning streak, Maryland hopes to rebound from its first shutout in four years. Offensively, the Terps will look to their running game, which ranks fifth in the ACC and 44th nationally (165.2 ypg), to get back on track. Sophomore Da'Rel Scott, who ranks 29th in the nation (first in the ACC) in rushing (96.4 ypg), headlines the ground attack. Junior All-America wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey is the Terps' top playmaker, averaging 22.9 yards per reception and 31.0 yards per rush. Junior QB Chris Turner, who has started in three wins over top 25 teams, ranks second in the league in passing efficiency (124.2). Opening holes for the running game and protecting Turner is a veteran offensive line which returns six of its top seven performers from a year ago, including senior center Edwin Williams, a member of the watch list for the Rimington Trophy and Lombardi Award. Senior Dan Gronkowski, a member of the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, has posted 10 receptions over the last four games, including two for touchdowns. Gronkowski and redshirt freshman WR Ronnie Tyler are tied for the team lead with 13 catches.
• After spearheading the team's second-half comeback win over No. 20 Clemson, the Maryland defense, which has allowed just 21.7 points per game (No. 49 nationally), struggled in the team's loss to Virginia. Sophomore linebacker Alex Wujciak is the team's leading tackler (52). He has posted 35 tackles over the last three games, including a career-high 16 vs. Clemson. Senior DT Jeremy Navarre anchors the defensive line, having posted 30 tackles on the year. Senior LB Moise Fokou has been active throughout the season, while senior LB Dave Philistin continues to make plays. Philistin is second on team in tackles (45) and Fokou has posted a team-best three sacks. Senior CB Kevin Barnes headlines the secondary, ranking tied for third in the ACC in passes defended (1.17 per game).
• The Terps special teams has been an improving unit through the first half of the season. Sophomore punter Travis Baltz and senior place-kicker Obi Egekeze are both in their second seasons as starters. Baltz, a freshman All-ACC choice last season, ranks second in league in punting (42.6 ypp), while Egekeze has connected on his last five field-goal attempts after missing his first five. Senior Danny Oquendo is the punt returner for the third straight season, while redshirt freshman Torrey Smith has emerged as a playmaker as the kickoff returner. Smith, a reserve wideout, is averaging 25.0 yards per return which is seventh in the ACC.
Quick Hitters...
• Maryland has started 4-2 for the third consecutive season and the sixth time in coach Ralph Friedgen's eight seasons. During the Friedgen era, the only seasons in which the Terps did not start 4-2 have been 2001 (6-0) and 2004 (3-3).
• The Terps stand 28-25-1 all-time in conference home openers, including 4-3 under Friedgen, having won their last two. Maryland is 5-1 all-time in home openers against Wake Forest. The teams have not met in Maryland's conference home opener since 1984, when the Terps won 38-17 en route to an ACC championship.
• Saturday's game against the Demon Deacons marks the sixth consecutive season in which the Terps' home opener has occurred during the month of October. During that span, Maryland has played its conference road opener during September on five occasions.
• The Terps played their first two conference games on the road for the second time in three years but just the third time since 1990.
• By overcoming an 11-point halftime deficit and rallying for two second-half touchdowns to beat Clemson on Sept. 27, the Terps earned their first comeback victory of the 2008 campaign. It was the team's first win after being behind at halftime since an upset win over Rutgers last season (9/29/07). It marked Maryland's largest deficit overcome since rallying from a 20-0 halftime margin to beat Virginia on Oct. 14, 2006. The Terps have come back from double-digit deficits six times in the Friedgen era.
• Maryland's 2008 schedule is ranked 12th-most difficult over the second half of the season, according to NCAA.com. The Terps' final six opponents have a combined record of 18-9 (.667).
• Junior Chris Turner needs 61 passing yards to become the 14th quarterback in school history to reach 3,000 career yards.
• Maryland is 197-163-4 (.547) all-time in ACC games, including a 34-24 (.586) mark under Friedgen. The Terps have an all-time record of 596-518-43 (.535), including a 60-33 (.645) mark under Friedgen.
Heyward-Bey Leading the Way...
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has served as a game-changer for the Maryland offense all season. He currently leads the team in receiving yards (45.8 ypg), ranks second in touchdown scoring (4.0 ppg) and stands third on the team in all-purpose yards (76.8 ypg).
• When Heyward-Bey touches the football this season, good things tend to happen for the Terps offense. On six rushing attempts thus far in 2008, Heyward-Bey has totaled 186 yards (31.0 ypc), which is the third-most rushing yards on the team and tops in the nation among wide receivers in the FBS.
• Following his 76-yard scamper on a reverse at Clemson (9/27) to set up a score, Heyward-Bey now has three plays of more than 75 yards in his Terrapins career. He also notched an 80-yard TD catch earlier this season vs. MTSU and had a team-record 96-yard TD reception against Miami during the 2006 season.
• Heyward-Bey did not record a reception against Virginia, but he has still caught at least one pass in 28 of the last 31 contests dating back to the 2006 season. In addition, his 16.3 career yards per catch average ranks No. 6 nationally among active players.
• Heyward-Bey has continued his ascent through Maryland's career records this season. He currently sits in fourth place all-time in school history with 1,755 career receiving yards. He stands just 140 yards behind Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof (1984-87) for third all-time.
• Heyward-Bey's 11th career touchdown reception against Eastern Michigan (9/20) moved him into a three-way tie for fifth all-time at Maryland with Barry Johnson (1987-90) and Badgett.
• Heyward-Bey's 108 career receptions rank tied for sixth all-time with Abdur-Ra'oof on that list. He needs five catches to move from sixth to fifth on the Terps career list.
Did You Know...
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey is one of only seven players in the nation (also RB Javhid Best, Cal; WR Darius Passmore, Marshall; RB Marcus Thigpen, Indiana; RB Lonyae Miller, Fresno State; RB Jonathan Dwyer, Georgia Tech; and RB Tyrell Fenroy, La.-Lafayette) to have two plays this season of 75 yards or greater. He caught an 80-yard TD pass from Chris Turner vs. MTSU (9/6) and ran a 76-yard reverse to set up a score vs. Clemson (9/27).
Quick Strike Ability...
The Terps have shown a knack for getting on the board quickly this season. Thus far in 2008, 12 of the team's 17 touchdowns have come on drives of five plays or less in fewer than 2:00. The latest such score came on a three-play drive in 1:20 against Clemson on Sept. 27, highlighted by WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's 76-yard run. That offensive explosiveness has enabled the Terps to outscore opponents this season despite having accounted for fewer first downs.
Great Scott...
• Despite being only a redshirt sophomore, RB Da'Rel Scott has carried the bulk of the load for the Terps' running game so far in 2008. Scott currently leads the ACC and ranks 29th in the nation (FBS) in rushing (96.4 ypg). He also leads the team and ranks seventh in the ACC and 82nd nationally in all-purpose yards (111.6 ypg). He is also tied for the team lead with four touchdowns and ranks tied for 10th in the ACC in touchdown scoring (4.8 ppg).
• In addition to his season-long 25-yard reception against Clemson on Sept. 27, Scott has six carries of at least 24 yards in 2008 (40, 37 and 26 against Delaware; 63 and 24 versus MTSU; 24 against Cal).
• Scott started his sophomore campaign with a bang, compiling 407 yards in the first three games, including a season opener-record 197 yards vs. Delaware on Aug. 30. Scott's three-game rushing total ranks sixth on Maryland's all-time list for most rushing yards through the first three games of a season.
Turner on Target...
QB Chris Turner has orchestrated the Maryland offense effectively through the first six games of the 2008 campaign. He completed 20 of 34 passes for a season-high 223 yards at Virginia.
• Turner currently ranks second in the ACC and 57th in the nation (FBS) in passing efficiency (124.2). The junior signal-caller also ranks tied for third in the ACC in touchdown passes (six), as well as fifth in the conference and 80th nationally in passing yards (163.5 ypg).
• Turner has thrown for at least 200 yards in nine of the last 11 games in which he has started dating back to last season. In 17 career games he has thrown for 2,939 yards which ranks 14th on Maryland's all-time list, as he passed Calvin McCall (1999-00) with his performance vs. the Tigers (see chart on pg. 6). He also currently ranks 13th in school history with 233 career completions, tied for 15th with 378 career pass attempts and tied for 19th with 13 career touchdown passes.
• Continuing to prove his worth in big games, Turner is now 3-0 as a starter against ranked opponents (wins over No. 20 Clemson and No. 23 Cal in 2008; win over No. 8 Boston College in 2007). He also played an integral role in the other such game (win over No. 10 Rutgers in 2007) during Maryland's four-game winning streak against ranked foes. The Simi Valley, Calif., native has yet to throw an interception vs. a ranked opponent. In four games vs. the top 25, Turner has completed 66 of 96 passes (68.8 percent) for 814 yards and six TDs.
• Turner has also been sharp on third down this season, completing 66 percent (33 of 50) of his passes.
Mighty Moise...
LB Moise Fokou burst through the line of scrimmage to sack Virginia QB Marc Verica for a loss of 10 on third-and-9 during the second quarter against the Cavaliers. The play, Fokou's career-high third sack of the season, forced Virginia to punt. Fokou finished the game with seven tackles (all solo), two of which went for loss.
• Fokou leads the team, ranks tied for eighth in the ACC and tied for 71st in the nation in sacks (0.50 pg). He also is tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (.83) and has tallied 34 stops on the season.
State of Denial for Barnes...
DB Kevin Barnes came off the edge to block Virginia PK Yannick Reyering's 38-yard field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of the Virginia game (10/4). It marked the first blocked field goal of Barnes' career, and the first by a Terp since LB Alex Wujciak blocked one in the season-opening victory over Delaware (8/30). Maryland now has two blocked field goals in a season for the first time in a season since William Kershaw swatted two in 2004.
Wujciak's Encore Performance...
Fresh off a career-best 16-tackle performance in the upset win over Clemson on Sept. 27, LB Alex Wujciak led the Terps in that category yet again at Virginia (10/4). The sophomore tallied a game-high nine stops (five solo) against the Cavaliers.
• Wujciak currently leads the team with 52 stops. He also ranks tied for third in the ACC and tied for 41st in the nation (FBS) in tackles (8.7 pg).
• His 16 tackles vs. Clemson are tied for the most this season in the ACC during a single game. Michael Tauiliili of Duke and Kavell Conner of Clemson have each had 16 tackles this year.
Mr. Smith Comes from Washington...
WR Torrey Smith notched 144 kickoff return yards against Virginia. With two receptions for 26 yards, the redshirt freshman finished with a game-high 170 all-purpose yards. He has averaged 151 all-purpose yards during the last three games.
• Smith currently ranks seventh in the ACC and 40th in the nation (FBS) in kick return average (25.0 ypr). He also ranks second on the team and ninth in the ACC in all-purpose yards (98.7 ypg).
Maryland's Mr. Dependable...
Sure-handed WR Danny Oquendo had four receptions for a team and season-high 49 yards against Clemson (9/27), but his statline did not tell the whole story. The senior wideout caught three passes and accounted for 43 of Maryland's 45 yards on the fourth-quarter, game-winning drive, accounting for three first downs.
• With another reception at Virginia, Oquendo currently ranks tied for second on the team in receptions (12) and fourth in receiving yards (133) this season.
• With one punt return for seven yards vs. Virginia, Oquendo continues to expand his Maryland legacy. He ranks eighth all-time on the Maryland career list with 410 punt return yards.
• Oquendo has also had key contributions in other areas. He completed his lone pass on the season, a 43-yard TD pass to Isaiah Williams off a fake reverse and had a hand in thwarting three on-sides kicks vs. Cal (9/13).
Wake Forest At-A-Glance...
• No. 21 Wake Forest (4-1, 2-0) is coming off a 12-7 home win over Clemson (Oct. 9) and has won its first two conference games for the first time since 1987, having also beaten then-No. 24 Florida State.
• The ACC Atlantic Division leaders rank among the best in the conference in pass offense (232.0 - first), pass defense (151.0 - second), scoring defense (15.0 - third), total defense (274.2 - fourth) and turnover margin (+1.40 per game - second).
• The Demon Deacons also rank first nationally in passing efficiency defense (90.52), 17th in total defense (274.20 per game) and 16th in scoring defense (15.0 ppg).
• QB Riley Skinner is the ACC's leader in passing efficiency (130.0 rating), having completed 124 of 182 passes (68.1 percent) for 1,160 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.
• Skinner has four reliable targets in WRs D.J. Boldin, Chip Brinkman and Marshall Williams, as well as TE Ben Wooster. That quartet has combined for 819 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
• DB Alphonso Smith, the ACC's leader in passes defended (2.0 per game), headlines the Wake Forest defense, but he has plenty of help in the secondary. Fellow DB Kevin Patterson has kept pace with Smith with three interceptions thus far in 2008. Patterson and DB Brandon Ghee both have notched two forced fumbles. In fact, four Wake players ranked among the top 10 in the ACC in forced fumbles per game.
• Sam Swank is one of the top place-kickers in the nation. He leads the ACC in kick scoring (10.0 ppg) and has made a nation's-best 2.5 field goals per game.
• The Demon Deacons are solid all around on special teams. They ranked first in the nation in punt return yardage defense (-0.67) and 17th in kickoff coverage (18.11 ypr).
Maryland-Wake Forest Series History...
• Maryland owns a 40-15-1 advantage all-time against Wake Forest. The Terps .723 winning percentage against the Demon Deacons is the Terrapins' best mark against any ACC school.
• In games played in College Park, Maryland leads the series 19-8.
• Wake Forest has won the last two in the series, defeating Maryland 38-24 in College Park in 2006 to capture the ACC Atlantic Division title. That victory snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Terps in the series. The Demon Deacons also defeated the Terps 31-24 in overtime last season in Winston-Salem, rallying from a 24-3 deficit.
• The Terps are 14-4 vs. teams from the state of North Carolina under Ralph Friedgen, including a 5-2 mark vs. Wake Forest.
Ball Hawk...
Playing a greater role due to injuries in the secondary, Jamari McCollough has proven extremely valuable defensively this season. The junior safety accounted for his third interception of the season when he tracked down an overthrown deep pass by Clemson QB Cullen Harper near the end of the second quarter. The play gave McCollough three picks in a six-quarter span dating back to the Eastern Michigan game (9/20). He had two vs. the Eagles, including one in the end zone during a first-half scoring threat.
• McCollough, who did not have any interceptions entering the season, currently leads the team, ranks tied for sixth in the ACC and tied for 18th in the nation in interceptions (.60 pg).
Ronnie On A Roll...
WR Ronnie Tyler set career highs against Virginia with five receptions for 56 yards, both of which were team-highs. The redshirt freshman wideout now has nine catches for 87 yards during two conference games thus far this season.
• During the upset win over Clemson (9/29), Tyler produced a circus-style reception when he caught the ball off fellow WR Torrey Smith's back for 13 yards to convert a third down.
• Tyler is tied for the team lead with 13 receptions and ranks tied for second with 134 receiving yards.
Breaking Up Is Easy To Do...
DBs Kevin Barnes and Anthony Wiseman each registered two PBUs against Virginia (10/4), marking the second time this season multiple players have recorded more than one PBU in a game (Barnes and DB Nolan Carroll each has two in the upset win over Cal on Sept. 13).
• Barnes currently ranks third in the ACC and tied for 35th in the nation in passes defended (1.17 pg).
Through the Uprights...
PK Obi Egekeze converted field goals of 23 and 30 yards during the first half against Clemson (9/29) and has now connected on five consecutive field goals, which marks the second longest streak of his career.
• At his best during conference play, Egekeze has now hit 15 of 16 field goals (93.8 percent) during ACC contests over the course of his career.
• With his performance vs. Clemson, Egekeze moved into a tie with Ed Loncar (1976-78) for 10th place on Maryland's all-time list with 22 career field goals.
Special Indeed...
Maryland's special teams unit came up big in recent wins over Clemson and Eastern Michigan. One week after LB Adrian Moten blocked a punt and WR Torrey Smith notched a 57-yard kickoff return vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20), LS Andrew Schmitt recovered a muffed punt against Clemson (9/27) to set up a Maryland field goal. Additionally, PK Obi Egekeze (5 for 5 on field goals) and P Travis Baltz (four of eight punts inside opponents 20-yard line) contributed standout performances during that two-game span.
Baltz's Punting Prowess...
P Travis Baltz has booted himself into the nation's elite at his position during the early stages of his sophomore season. One week after earning ACC co-Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the sophomore punted five times for 179 yards (35.8 ypp) against Virginia (10/4), including two punts inside the Cavaliers' 20-yard line, continuing to help the Terps win the field position battle.
• Baltz currently ranks first in the ACC and 25th in the nation (FBS) in punting (42.6 ypp). Thanks in large part to Baltz, Maryland also ranks second in the conference and 11th nationally in net punting (38.9 ypp).
Terp Trickery...
Maryland offense coordinator James Franklin continued his creative play-calling against the Cavaliers. On the final play of the first half, QB Chris Turner connected with WR Isaiah Williams for a 11-yard gain. Williams proceeded to shovel the ball to a streaking Darrius Heyward-Bey (25 yards), who tossed a lateral pass to RB Da'Rel Scott (nine yards). The play totaled 45 yards, making it the Terps' second-longest pass play of the season.
• Earlier this season in the game against Eastern Michigan (9/20), all three of Maryland's first-string wide receivers got involved in a trick play that resulted in a touchdown. Heyward-Bey took a handoff and threw a lateral to fellow WR Danny Oquendo, who threw a 43-yard TD pass to Williams. The play marked Oquendo's first career touchdown pass and Williams' first score of the season. Oquendo became Maryland's first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass since RB Josh Allen threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Oquendo vs. BC on Nov. 18, 2006.
`Gronk' Going strong...
Continuing his steady play, TE Dan Gronkowski snared three catches for 38 yards against Virginia (10/4), marking the fifth consecutive game in which he has tallied multiple receptions.
• A candidate for the John Mackey Award, bestowed to the nation's top tight end, Gronkowski currently is tied for the team lead with 13 receptions and ranks tied for second with 134 yards. He has already set career-highs in both categories.
Portis Provides Change of Pace...
Second-string QB Josh Portis is using his speed to add a new dimension to the Terps offense this season, accounting for 9 more rushing yards vs. Clemson. With 154 yards on 25 carries so far this season, Portis already has the most rushing yards by a Maryland quarterback since Scott McBrien ran for 259 yards in 2003.
Tried and True...
True freshman DB Cameron Chism made his Maryland debut against Eastern Michigan (9/20) when he participated on the coverage team on the opening kickoff, and he notched his first career tackle (solo) playing special teams during the fourth quarter. He added a second tackle on Saturday vs. Clemson. Chism is the fourth true freshmen to see action this season, joining RB Davin Meggett, DB Kenny Tate and TE Matt Furstenburg.
Big Play Ability...
The Terps offense has notched 31 plays of 20 yards or more so far this season. Of those 30 instances, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has accounted for nine of them (six receiving and three rushing) and RB Da'Rel Scott has accounted for seven of them (six rushing and one receiving).
Friedgen Preaches Discipline...
Head coach Ralph Friedgen and his staff continually preach disciplined play to the Terps, and the team seems to be listening. Through the first six games of the season, Maryland ranks fifth in the ACC and 29th nationally (FBS) in fewest penalties (5.00 pg). The Terps also rank tied for third in the ACC and tied for 11th nationally in few fumbles lost.
Offensive Notes...
• The Maryland offense, which returned nine starters - its most since 1999 - and 23 letterwinners from last season, ranks among the ACC's leaders in third down efficiency (tied for third - 42.3 percent), pass efficiency (fifth - 122.7) and total offense (fourth - 355.7 ypg). The unit also is among the nation's leaders in several categories, ranking 44th in rushing offense (165.2 ypg), tied for 11th in fewest fumbles lost (three) and tied for 33rd in fewest TFLs allowed (4.83 pg).
• During the off-season Ralph Friedgen handed control of the offense over to new offensive coordinator/assistant head coach James Franklin, enabling one of the football's best young offensive minds to have an opportunity to call plays for the Terps. Formerly offensive coordinator at Kansas State, Franklin brings 13 years of offensive expertise to College Park.
• WR Darrius Heyward-Bey broke loose for a 76-yard run on a reverse play during the third quarter against Clemson (9/27), setting up Maryland's first touchdown and shifting momentum to the Terps, as the team began its comeback bid. It was the longest run by Maryland since Bruce Perry's 80-yard TD scamper against Wake Forest on Nov. 29, 2003, and the longest run surrendered by the Clemson defense since the 2000 season.
• QB Chris Turner, who took over the starting reins in the second game of the season and ranks second in the ACC in efficiency (124.24), had yet another solid performance in the win over Clemson (9/27), completing 16 of 30 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions. The touchdown pass, his sixth of the season, came on a 6-yard pass to WR Torrey Smith during the third quarter.
• Two plays after Heyward-Bey's 76-yard run against Clemson (9/27), Smith caught a 6-yard TD pass, cutting the margin to 17-13. It marked the first score of Smith's career and came on his fourth career reception. Smith added 92 kickoff return yards and led the team with 98 all-purpose yards. He also had a 170 all-purpose yards vs. Virginia (10/4), the second-highest total of his career. He accounted for a career-high 184 vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20), including a career-long 57-yard kickoff return and a career-best 44-yard reception.
• WR Ronnie Tyler was in the right place at the right time to make a key reception for the Terps against Clemson. With Maryland facing third-and-8 from the Clemson 28-yard line during the second quarter, Turner's pass deflected off Smith's back into the hands of Tyler for 13 yards and a first down. Tyler's big play enabled the possession to result in a field goal for the Terps.
• Enjoying its biggest offensive outburst of the season vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20), the Terps had season-highs in points (51), total yards (486), first downs (20) and passing touchdowns (three). The 51 points were the most by the Terps since a 55-21 win over Duke on Sept. 25, 2004. The 486 total yards of offense were the most since totaling 524 yards in an overtime win over North Carolina on Nov. 12, 2005.
• Maryland's 86 collective points against Eastern Michigan (9/20) and Cal (9/13) were the team's most during a two-game span since also posting 86 points during wins over North Carolina (59-21) and Virginia (27-17) on Nov. 1 and Nov. 13 of 2003.
• Heyward-Bey continued to provide a spark for the Terps offense against Eastern Michigan (9/20). The junior wideout snared a 32-yard touchdown strike from Turner during the second quarter to extend the Terps' lead to 24-7. In addition to his three receptions totaling 31 yards, Heyward-Bey rushed for a career-high 81 yards vs. Eastern Michigan on a pair of handoffs he took on reverse plays.
• Turner continued to spearhead a productive Terrapins offense against EMU (9/20), completing 15 of 23 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns. In addition to the 32-yard touchdown pass to Heyward-Bey, Turner also found TE Dan Gronkowski for a 4-yard score in the third quarter, marking the second consecutive game the duo hooked up for a touchdown. Turner was at his best against the Eagles on third down, completing 8 of 8 passes for 109 yards.
• Second-string QB Josh Portis rushed for a game-high and career-high 98 yards against Eastern Michigan (9/20). His 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter marked the first of his career and came after he accounted for all 80 yards (all rushing) during that drive. Portis' rushing total last Saturday is the highest by a Maryland QB since Shaun Hill ran for 105 yards on five carries vs. Duke on Oct. 20, 2001.
• RB Morgan Green found the end zone on fourth-and-inches in the first quarter against Eastern Michigan (9/20) to cap a 10-play, 80-yard drive. It was Green's first career touchdown, coming on the 10th carry of his career. Green added a 20-yard TD run in the second quarter, extending the Terps' lead to 17-0. The 20-yard run marked a career-long for Green, who finished the game with a career-high 40 rushing yards on 12 carries.
• RB Davin Meggett started the game against Eastern Michigan (9/20) in place of Scott, who was nursing a shoulder injury, becoming the first Maryland true freshman tailback to start a game since LaMont Jordan got the nod against Georgia Tech on Nov. 22, 1997. Meggett is the team's first true freshman running back to start since FB Cory Jackson did so vs. Wake Forest on Nov. 25, 2006, and the first Terp true freshman to start since OL Bruce Campbell did so against Clemson on Oct. 27, 2007.
• Continuing to prove he is one of the nation's top young ball carriers this season, Da'Rel Scott rushed 19 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns vs No. 23 Cal (9/13), despite playing less than three quarters (shoulder injury). He scored on runs of 24 and 1 yards on Maryland's first two drives of the game, helping to catapult the Terps to an early lead that proved insurmountable. Scott has rushed for over 100 yards twice this season and ranks first in the ACC and 29th nationally in rushing (96.40 ypg).
• Meggett replaced Scott at tailback in the third quarter against Cal (9/13) and the Terps ground attack did not miss a beat. Meggett rushed for a career-high 82 yards, including the second rushing TD of his career in the fourth quarter, a 1-yarder which proved to be the difference. The also had a career-long 38-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
• Turner rebounded from a sub-par effort vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/6) by completing 15 of 19 passes (78.9 percent) in the upset win over Cal (9/13). That accuracy mark was the 10th-highest single-game completion percentage in school history, tying his own mark he set last season against Boston College (11/10). Turner finished the game with 156 passing yards and two TDs with no picks. Turner found Gronkowski for a 1-yard TD on the first play of the second quarter and later connected with Heyward-Bey in the third quarter for a 27-yard strike.
• Starting tight end Dan Gronkowski (career-high four receptions for 24 yards) and reserve Lansford Watson (career-high three receptions for 23 yards) were the team's leading receivers against Cal (9/13), marking the first time two tight ends led the team in receptions since John Waerig and Eric James did so against North Carolina on Oct. 23, 1999. Gronkowski caught a 1-yard TD pass from Turner on the first play of the second quarter. For Gronkowski, it was his second career touchdown and his first since a 2-yard score versus Florida State Oct. 28, 2006. He also added a TD reception vs. EMU (9/20).
• Scott turned in an impressive rushing performance vs. MTSU (9/6). Scott rushed for 123 yards on 11 carries (11.2 ypc), including a career-long 63-yard burst for a touchdown on the Terps' second offensive play from scrimmage. That run was the longest by a Terp since Lance Ball ran for 65 yards versus Boston College Nov. 19, 2005, and the team's longest run for a touchdown since Bruce Perry scored on an 80-yard run against Wake Forest Nov. 28, 2003. It was also Scott's longest play, surpassing a 57-yard reception he had last season versus BC.
• Scott's 11.2 yards per carry average vs. MTSU (9/6) ranked fourth all-time on the Terps' single-game list (record: 15.0 by Willie Joyner vs. UNC, 1982).
• Scott's performance during the first two games of the season marked the first back-to-back 100-yard rushing games for a Maryland ball carrier since Keon Lattimore ran for 112 and 124, respectively, against Wake Forest and Rutgers last season.
• Scott's 320 rushing yards during the first two games of the season represented the most in a two-game period by a Terp since Josh Allen rushed for a combined 401 yards against Virginia and NC State on Nov. 13 and Nov. 22, 2003.
• Heyward-Bey's 80-yard TD in the third quarter of the MTSU game (9/6) marked the second-longest of Heyward-Bey's career, trailing only the school-record 96-yarder he had versus Miami Nov. 11, 2006. It was the longest completion of Turner's career, surpassing a 78-yard TD pass to Jason Goode last season against Georgia Tech.
• Turner made his first start of the season in place of fellow QB Jordan Steffy (thumb injury) against MTSU (9/6), throwing for 207 yards, giving him at least 200 passing yards in seven consecutive games in which he started. Despite a solid performance that string was broken during the Cal game (9/13) as Turner threw for 156 yards.
• Making his first career start, Scott provided a record-setting performance vs. Delaware (8/30). The sophomore tailback rushed for 197 yards on 26 carries to set a school record for most rushing yards in season opener (old record: 177 by Charlie Wysocki vs. Villanova, Sept. 6, 1980). Scott's performance tied for 16th on the team's single-game list and are the most rushing yards by a Terp in a game since Bruce Perry recorded 237 against Wake Forest on Nov. 29, 2003.
• Meggett also had an impressive debut vs. Delaware (seven rushes for 54 yards). His 14-yard TD run late in the third quarter was the first of his career and gave the Terps a 14-0 lead. Meggett became the first Maryland true freshman to score a touchdown in his first career game since Josh Allen had an 8-yard TD run vs. Eastern Michigan on Sept. 21, 2002.
• In all, Maryland recorded 271 yards on the ground against Delaware (8/30), the team's most since it ran for 277 yards against Duke on Sept. 25, 2004.
• Following a hard-fought battle in preseason camp, Steffy, a senior, emerged as the Terps' No. 1 QB entering the season. Steffy was 10 of 18 for 115 yards in the season-opener. He suffered a thumb injury in the second half and is out of action indefinitely. Turner, a junior who entered the season as the backup, replaced Steffy in the Delaware game (8/30).
• The Terps quarterbacks operate behind a veteran-laden offensive line featuring five seniors who have seen significant playing time in their careers. C Edwin Williams, a preseason All-ACC nominee, anchors a line that boasts a collective 106 career starts. He is joined by fellow seniors LT Scott Burley, LG Jaimie Thomas, RG Jack Griffin and RT Dane Randolph. Junior Phil Costa started at right guard in the opener with Griffin subbing at right guard. Reserve linemen Campbell, Lamar Young, Danny Edwards and Paul Pinegar round out the two-deep for a unit that was decimated by injuries last season. After surrendering eight sacks over the first three games of the season, the o-line has given up just two over the last three games.
Defensive Notes...
• The Maryland defense, which has five starters back from 2007, ranks 49th nationally in points allowed and tied for 38th with seven interceptions. The Terps are also sixth in the ACC in third-down conversions (35.7 percent) and tied for sixth in red-zone defense (81.8 percent).
• The defense boasts five players who have made at least 15 starts, including 41 and 38 career starts, respectively, for DL Jeremy Navarre and LEO Trey Covington. Navarre leads Maryland defensive linemen and ranks fifth on the team with 30 tackles.
• Several Maryland players rank among the conference leaders in key defensive categories through the first five games. DB Kevin Barnes is tied for third in passes defended (1.17 pg). LBs Alex Wujciak, Dave Philistin and DB Jeff Allen rank tied for third (8.7 pg), tied for 12th (7.5 pg) and tied for 23rd (6.2 pg), respectively, in tackles. DB Jamari McCollough ranks tied for sixth in interceptions (.50 pg). LB Moise Fokou ranks seventh in sacks (.50 pg).
• After surrendering 260 total yards and 17 first downs in the first half to Clemson (9/27), the Maryland defense clamped down and turned in an exceptional second-half performance. The Terps limited the Tigers to no points, 112 total yards -- including just 26 rushing yards -- and only two first downs during the second half. It marked the first half of football this season in which Clemson was held scoreless.
• Wujciak was all over the field against Clemson (9/27), tallying a career-high16 tackles and accounting for nearly 20 percent of the team's total stops. During Clemson's final fourth-quarter possession, Wujciak wrapped up Clemson QB Cullen Harper for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Terps' 40-yard line as the Tigers were threatening to move into field-goal range and tie the game. Thanks to Wujciak's big play, the Maryland offense took over on downs and ran out the clock. Wujciak's tackle total was the most by a Maryland player since former Terp and current Minnesota Viking Erin Henderson had 18 against Virginia on Oct. 20, 2007.
• The Maryland defense, which is tied for seventh in the ACC in sacks (10), was able to get to the quarterback against Eastern Michigan (9/20). Six players combined on three quarterback sacks vs. the Eagles. DLs Navarre and Bemi Otulaja and LBs Costa, Covington, Adrian Moten and Philistin each contributed half sacks in the defensive effort against Eastern Michigan.
• Moten, who missed the Virginia game (wrist), notched his first pick of the season and second of his career during the second quarter against Eastern Michigan (9/20) when he backpedalled and made an athletic play on QB Kyle McMahon's pass.
• Wujciak posted a game-high 10 tackles - including 1.5 tackles for loss -- in the victory over the Eagles (9/20), and Philistin added nine tackles and one-half sack during the same game.
• Cal entered its game against the Terps (9/13) ranked sixth in the nation in rushing offense (297.0 ypg), but Maryland limited the Golden Bears to 38 rushing yards, including just 12 in the second half. The Terps added eight TFLs vs. Cal, which eclipsed their two-game total entering Saturday's game. The Terps defense did not surrender a TD to Cal until the 6:55 mark of the fourth quarter.
• Fokou accounted for Maryland's first sack of the season when he took down Cal QB Kevin Riley for a 4-yard loss to force the Golden Bears to punt on the game's opening drive (9/13). He added a second sack in the third quarter, setting a career-high for sacks in a game and tying a career-high for sacks in a season. The senior Sam linebacker finished with six tackles (four solo) vs. the Golden Bears.
• In all, the Terps tallied a season-high five sacks against Cal (9/13). Fokou (2.0), Costa (1.5 sacks) and DLs Jared Harrell (1.0) and Muhtadi (0.5) each contributed to the sack barrage against Cal, which had surrendered just one sack on the season entering the game, and led the Pac-10 in fewest sacks allowed the previous two seasons. The five sacks are tied for the most by the Terps since they recorded six sacks versus Virginia Oct. 10, 2005.
• Philistin notched a game-high 13 tackles against the Golden Bears (9/13), tying for the second-highest total of his career. He added one TFL of three yards in the second quarter on a run by Cal RB Jahvid Best to help force a three-and-out.
• Barnes, who led the Terps with four interceptions a year ago, picked off a pass by Cal QB Kevin Riley during the first quarter of that game (9/13), returning it 17 yards to set up Maryland's second touchdown. Barnes added two PBUs, including one with a big hit on Cal RB Jahvid Best in the second quarter. Barnes nabbed his first INT of 2008 when he picked off a pass by Delaware WR Aaron Love on a flea-flicker during the opening drive of the second half of the win over the Blue Hens (8/30). He also recorded a forced fumble in the season-opening game.
• During that season opener vs. Delaware, Maryland's defense limited the Blue Hens to 249 total yards - the lowest by a foe since holding Florida International to 163 yards on Sept. 8, 2007.
• Wujciak's collegiate debut proved worth the wait. Seeing his first action against Delaware (8/30) after missing all of last season due to a knee injury, the sophomore got a hand on Delaware PK Jon Striefsky's 46-yard FG attempt in the second quarter, causing the kick to fall short of the uprights. It marked the first blocked field goal by Maryland since Navarre swatted one against Florida State (Oct. 28, 2006).
• Wujciak's knack for making big plays continued against MTSU (9/6). Wujciak notched his first career fumble recovery in the second quarter when he pounced on a dropped lateral to halt a Blue Raiders' drive.
• DB Terrell Skinner is making the most of his first season as a starter for the Terps, having recorded a crucial late interception, the first of his career, to seal Maryland's season-opening victory over Delaware (8/30). Skinner added eight tackles and one PBU vs. MTSU (9/6) before suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of that game. He missed two games, but returned for the matchup with Clemson (9/27) and has 10 stops over the last two games.
• Navarre, a DT who leads active Terps with nine career sacks, anchors a defensive line that replaced starters Dre Moore and Carlos Feliciano from a year ago. He is joined in the starting lineup by DE Mack Frost and Otulaja, though Deege Galt, Dion Armstrong and Dean Muhtadi also see action on the defensive line. Junior Travis Ivey is also a fixture inside after returning from injury to play against Clemson (9/27). After three seasons at defensive end, Navarre bumped inside to tackle in the spring and has flourished.
• With the addition of Wujciak this season, the Terps have improved depth at linebacker, where three starters are back from 2007 in Covington, Philistin and Fokou. Covington has started 38 of the last 41 games at LEO, a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position. He and fellow LEO Costa form a productive tandem for the Terps defense. Philistin ranked fourth in the ACC in 2007 with 124 tackles, and is backed up by fellow senior Chase Bullock. Fokou shares the strongside with his backup, Moten, who earned freshman All-America honors in 2007. LB Ben Pooler started the season as the backup at Mike LB, played in one game and is now sidelined with a season-ending knee injury.
• Barnes is the lone returning starter in the secondary and has provided leadership for the unit. Juniors Carroll and Anthony Wiseman share time at the other CB spot. Allen joins Skinner atop the depth chart at safety, having served in a reserve role in 2007. USC transfer Antwine Perez and true freshman Kenny Tate provide depth at safety, and senior Richard Taylor served as a reserve CB until being sidelined with a season-ending knee injury. Perez made his first career start against Cal (9/13) in place of Skinner, who had an ankle injury. Carroll has also missed the last three games due to injury.
• For the first time since 2005, Maryland's entire defensive coaching staff from the previous year remains intact. Chris Cosh, who has served as a defensive coordinator in three of the six BCS conferences, is in his third season running the defense, as well as the inside linebackers.
• The Terps have had at least one defensive player drafted into the NFL in each of the last 12 seasons, and 18 defensive players overall in that span, including DE Dre Moore last year, a draftee of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Of the Maryland defenders selected, 11 have gone in the first three rounds, including first-round picks Chad Scott (1997) and Shawne Merriman (2005).
• The Terrapins began a season without a Henderson on their roster for just the second time this decade. Following in the footsteps of his older brother A.J., who earned All-America and ACC Player of the Year honors during his stellar Terp career, Erin Henderson was a first-team All-ACC selection in 2007 after leading the conference with 133 tackles. Both brothers now play for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings.
Special Teams Notes...
• The Maryland special teams unit currently ranks among the ACC's leaders in PAT kicking (tied for first - 100 percent), opponents' on-side kicks allowed (tied for first - 0-for-3), net punting (first - 38.9 ypp) and punt return yardage allowed (third - 4.0 ypr). The unit also is among the best in the nation in several categories, ranking 11th in net punting and tied for 11th in punt return yardage defense.
• Several Maryland players rank among the conference leaders in key special teams categories. P Travis Baltz ranks second in punting (42.6 ypp), WR Torrey Smith ranks seventh in kickoff returns (25.0 ypr) and PK Obi Egekeze ranks tied for first in PAT kicking percentage (17 for 17) and eighth in kick scoring (5.3 ppg).
• Baltz punted seven times for 307 yards (43.9 ypp) against Clemson (9/27), including three punts inside the Tigers' 20-yard line, continuing to help the Terps win the field position battle. Baltz' first quarter punt of 36 yards was caught by DB Kevin Barnes at the Clemson 5-yard line, forcing the Tigers to begin their second drive of the game deep in their own territory. For his efforts vs. the Tigers Baltz earned the ACC co-Special Teams Player of the Week award.
• When Clemson WR Jacoby Ford muffed a punt return during the first quarter of that game (9/27), LS Andrew Schmitt was there to pounce on it, giving the Terps offense the ball at the Tigers' 18-yard line. It marked the first career fumble recovery for Schmitt. The play set up Maryland's first score of the game -- a 23-yard field goal by Egekeze seven seconds into the second quarter.
• Egekeze converted field goals of 23 and 30 yards during the first half against Clemson (9/27) and has now connected on five consecutive field goals, which marks the second longest streak of his career.
• The Maryland special teams unit had an outstanding performance against Eastern Michigan (9/20), making key plays in place-kicking, punt return coverage and kickoff returns.
• Egekeze converted all three of his field goal attempts (21, 23 and 33-yards) vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20), marking the first three-field goal game by a Maryland kicker since Egekeze booted three vs. NC State last season (11/24/07). Egekeze also placed four of his kickoffs in the end zone and adding a solo tackle on one of the six kicks which were returned.
• Smith returned four kickoffs for a career-high 126 yards vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20). That performance included a career-long 57-yard kickoff return to set up a touchdown.
• LB Adrian Moten blocked Patrick Treppa's punt following Eastern Michigan's first possession (9/20), marking the first blocked punt for the Terps since Josh Wilson blocked one against William & Mary on Sept. 2, 2006. DB Dominique Herald recovered Moten's block and returned it 15 yards to give Maryland's offense exceptional starting field position at the Eagles' 10-yard line.
• Against Cal (9/13), Baltz punted four times for 191 yards (47.8 ypp) and a season-long punt of 55 yards. His average vs. Cal was the second best of his career (5-49.6 vs. Georgia Tech on 10/6/07).
• LB Alex Wujciak got a hand on Delaware PK Jon Striefsky's 46-yard FG attempt in the second quarter, causing the kick to fall short of the uprights in the season-opening game (8/30). It marked the first blocked field goal by Maryland since DL Jeremy Navarre swatted one against Florida State (Oct. 28, 2006). CB Kevin Barnes added another blocked FGA in the Virginia game.
• After starting last season with an untested punter and place-kicker, Maryland has proven players occupying those positions this year. Egekeze and Baltz both provided strong performances during their first season at their respective positions in 2007. Egekeze connected on 17 of 23 FGAs and was perfect on all 36 PATs last year, ranking sixth in the ACC in both kick scoring and overall scoring. Baltz earned freshman All-America honors in 2007 after averaging 43.1 yards per punt during conference play.
• WR Danny Oquendo back for his third season as the team's primary punt returner. With 11 returns for 69 yards in 2008, the sure-handed senior ranks eighth on the Terps all-time punt return yards list (410).
• Smith has handled the majority of the kickoff returns this year, accounting for 499 yards on 20 returns (25.0 ypr). DB Terrell Skinner returned one kickoff for 15 yards in the season-opening game versus Delaware (8/30), and fellow DBs Kenny Tate and Trenton Hughes might also be called upon to fill that role.
• Schmitt, a three-year starter at long-snapper, is in his final season with the Terps. After handling just long snaps (punts) up to this point in his career, Schmitt is also the short snapper (PAT/FG) this year.
By The Numbers...
3...WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has three plays in excess of 75 yards in his career, including two this season (80-yd TD reception vs. Middle Tennessee State; 76-yd run vs. Clemson). He had a school record 96-yd TD catch vs. Miami in 2006.
5...PK Obi Egekeze has made his last five field-goal attempts after missing his first five on the season.
7...Number of 2007 bowl teams slated to play the Terps in 2008.
9...Number of current players who have completed their degrees. That list includes PK Obi Egekeze, DL Mack Frost, OL Jack Griffin, TE Dan Gronkowski, DL Dean Muhtadi, OL Dane Randolph, QB Jordan Steffy, DB Richard Taylor and OL Edwin Williams. Each of those players is either enrolled in graduate school or pursuing another undergraduate degree.
11.7...LB Alex Wujicak has averaged 11. 7 tackles over the last three games, including a career-high 16 vs. No. 20 Clemson (9/27).
14...Returning starters (nine on offense/five on defense) from last season.
17...Number of career carries by the Maryland tailbacks (14 by Da'Rel Scott/3 by Morgan Green) entering the season.
21...Twenty one of the top 27 crowds in Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium have occurred during the last seven seasons.
25.6...Darrius Heyward-Bey is averaging 25.6 yards each time he touches the ball this season (18 touches/436 yards).
27...Number of former Terps on NFL rosters (see list on page 18).
30...Number of seniors on this season's roster.
60...The Terps have won 60 games in Ralph Friedgen's seven-plus seasons which is more than they had in the 14 years prior to his arrival (55).
88...The Terps have connected on 88 straight PATs, dating back to 2005 (vs. UNC). Obi Egekeze hit all 36 attempts last season and 17 this year. Dan Ennis was good on all 32 in 2006.
106...The Terps top six offensive linemen - Edwin Williams (32), Dane Randolph (23), Scott Burley (18), Jaimie Thomas (17), Phil Costa (12) and Jack Griffin (4) - have combined to start 106 career games.
135...Career rushing yards for RB Da'Rel Scott entering the 2008 season.
791.20...Danny Oquendo's passing efficiency rating is 791.20. Oquendo completed the lone pass of his career Saturday vs. Eastern Michigan. He took a handoff from Darrius Heyward-Bey on a fake reverse and hit Isaiah Williams on a 43-yard TD.
