Maryland Headed to Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
12/7/2008 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 7, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team will make its sixth bowl appearance in the last eight years on Tuesday, Dec. 30 when the Terps take on Nevada in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho.
Kevin McDonald, executive director of the bowl, extended the invitation to the Terps on Sunday.
Kickoff for the game is set for 4:30 p.m. ET and it will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"We are pleased to have the opportunity to participate in the Humanitarian Bowl," said Maryland director of athletics Deborah A. Yow. "Having been to Boise for the NCAA Basketball Tournament (in 2001), we are well aware of the terrific hospitality of the citizens of Boise and look forward to our time there and the game."
Nevada (7-5, 5-3) finished in a three-way tie for second in the Western Athletic Conference behind undefeated and ninth-ranked Boise State (12-0). The Wolf Pack is making its ninth bowl game appearance, including fourth straight. Nevada lost to Miami, 21-20, in the 2006 MPC Computers Bowl (now the Humanitarian Bowl).
Maryland will be making its 23rd bowl game appearance and first in the state of Idaho. The Terps have won three of their last four bowl games, having played in a postseason contest in each of the last three seasons.
"Our kids are excited to be going to another bowl game and appreciative of the invitation by the Humanitarian Bowl," said Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen. "We're looking forward to playing Nevada and representing the ACC."
Nevada, which won three of its last four regular-season games, has one of the top offenses in the nation, ranking fifth in total offense (510.6 yards per game) and second in rushing (291.4 ypg).
Running back Vai Taua has rushed for 1,420 yards, while quarterback Colin Kaepernick has posted for 1,115 rushing yards and thrown for 2,479 yards.
The Wolf Pack also stops the run well, ranking fifth in the country in rushing defense (74.5 ypg).
In addition, Nevada can rush the passer, with Kevin Basped (10.0) and Dontay Moch (9.5) combining for almost 20 sacks.
This will be the first ever meeting between the Terrapins and Wolf Pack.
Tickets for the game are available through the Terrapins Ticket Office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP or by clicking here.
Maryland Bowl Facts
• Maryland is bowl eligible for the sixth time in eight years under coach Ralph Friedgen. The Terps have won three of their last four bowl games. Friedgen's three bowl wins are the most of any Maryland coach. He is 3-2 in bowl games, including a school-record three straight victories from 2003-06. Prior to Friedgen's arrival, Maryland made only one postseason appearance in the previous 15 years.
• The Terps have an all-time record of 9-11-2 in bowl games.
• Maryland has out-scored its last four bowl opponents 109-38.
Teleconference Quotes
Director of athletics Deborah A. Yow and head football coach Ralph Friedgen addressed the media on a telconference shortly after Sunday's Roady's Humanitarian Bowl announcementDirector of Athletics Deborah A. Yow
On her previous experience in Boise:
"I've visited Boise. We played basketball there in the men's NCAA Tournament [in 2001]. Our fans who went with us out there will probably try to get out to the bowl. They loved it. What I remember about it, personally, was that the citizens of Boise were incredibly hospitable and friendly, and we just enjoyed the experience."
On if she expects Maryland fans to travel to Boise to attend the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl:
"I'm sure some [fans] will. I have no idea of knowing how many. It isn't any easy place to get to, but there are some flights out of [Baltimore-Washington International Airport] and [Reagan National Airport] by way of Denver and some other sites, so I'm sure they're checking those out as we speak."
Head Coach Ralph Friedgen
On his initial reaction to learning his team will play in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl:
"I'm really excited to go to the Humanitarian Bowl. We're going to go play a very good team, and it's going to be a real challenge for our players. I think they'll see another part of the country. All the head coaches that I've talked to when we critique the bowls at the end of the season have said that their kids really enjoyed this bowl, and I'm sure ours will, too."
On what he has been told from other coaches regarding the Humanitarian Bowl:
"I think every year they say how warm the hospitality is out in Boise, and how the kids really enjoy it. They just said it was a good experience. I'm basing my faith on that, and I've told our players that. We're excited about going, and we're going to do our best to get our eighth win."
On his team's eagerness to play in the Humanitarian Bowl:
"I asked them the other day, `who wants to go and who doesn't want to go to a bowl?' They all raised their hands - they want to go. I looked at the weather out in Boise, and right now it's warmer than the weather here. To me, this is part of their education. I think they learn from different places they go. I think you'll find out our kids are well-behaved, and they've enjoyed every experience they've had as far as postseason play."
On his impression of the Nevada Wolf Pack:
"I see that they're second in the country in rushing, and they have two 1,000-yard rushers. Their tailback rushed for more than 1,400 yards. He's averaging 6.7 per carry and 118 yards per game. Their quarterback is a big kid - 6-foot-6, 225 pounds - and he's rushed for more than 1,000 yards and thrown for almost 2,500 yards, so he must be a very good player...They were very competitive playing Texas Tech, and they were very competitive against Boise State. They've played some really good football teams, so I think they're a very, very good football team."
