COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen has seen various tough opponents visit Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium to battle his team during his eight-year tenure with the Terrapins. Few adversaries, however, have presented a greater challenge than the coach anticipates from Saturday's foe, No. 23 California.

Fresh off a 66-3 thrashing of fellow Pacific-10 Conference representative Washington State, the Golden Bears (2-0) invade College Park Saturday for a nationally-televised showdown with the Terps (1-1). Cal, which racked up 505 yards of total offense against the Huskies, also won its season opener, besting Michigan State of the Big Ten, 38-31.

"We, obviously, have our work cut us for us," Friedgen said earlier this week at his press conference. "This is one of the better teams, I think, that's come into our stadium. They're very hot right now and have been playing very well."

The matchup will be the first between the teams, and Maryland has played a Pac-10 school on just four occasions throughout the 116-year history of its program.

Looking to rebound from a tough road loss to Middle Tennessee State last weekend, the Terps conducted their final preparations for Saturday's game Thursday afternoon, holding a 90-minute session under autumn-like conditions.

Friedgen said his squad needs to prove itself by playing well against a nationally-ranked opponent like the Golden Bears.

"The perception [of Maryland] - I don't think it matches who we are," Friedgen said. "I think it's time we start showing people who we are. We have to go out and show people we've got a pretty good football team."

During the two-minute drill portion of Thursday's practice, quarterback Chris Turner completed 4 of 5 passes, connecting twice with wide receiver Isaiah Williams. Fellow signal-caller Josh Portis also led the second-team offense into field-goal territory.

Following practice, Friedgen announced the captains for Saturday's game. Fullback Cory Jackson and defensive backs Jeff Allen and Kevin Barnes will represent the Terps offensive, defense and special teams' units, respectively.

Friedgen also named offensive lineman Andrew Gonnella and linebacker Louis Berman his scout team players of the week for their performance in practice leading up to the matchup with the Golden Bears.

Linebacker Chase Bullock will carry the American flag onto the field Saturday, and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, a native of Silver Spring, Md., will bring the Maryland flag. The Terps started the practice of carrying the flags onto the field at the beginning of the season.

Kickoff for Saturday's game against California is set for noon at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.

The game will be telecast nationally on ESPN, and can be heard on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will replay the game at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Terp Notes: California will be just the second West Coast team to visit Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. No. 5 Maryland defeated No. 1 UCLA, 7-0, on Sept. 24, 1955 ... California is making its first trip to the East Coast since playing at Rutgers in 2001 ... sophomore Antwine Perez is expected to make his first career start Saturday. The transfer from USC replaces Terrell Skinner at free safety. Skinner is expected to miss at least the next two games with a leg injury. Junior Jamari McCollough, who moved over from strong safety this week, will also see time at free safety.