Maryland Opens ACC Football Slate Saturday at Clemson
9/22/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Sept. 27
Maryland (3-1, 0-0 ACC)
at
No. 20 Clemson (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
Kickoff: Noon ET
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Stadium: Clemson Memorial Stadium (81,473)
TV: Raycom Sports - Steve Martin (play-by-play), Doc Walker (color) and Mike Hogewood (sidelines) have the call. Locally the game can be seen on WJZ-TV (Channel 13) in Baltimore and WDCA-TV (My 20) in Washington, D.C. For a complete affiliate list click here Television Show.
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 here
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 scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday on Comcast SportsNet, just prior to the rebroadcast of the Terps most recent football game. 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...
• After posting a 3-1 record during the non-conference portion of its season, the University of Maryland enters Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday when it travels to Clemson to take on the 20th-ranked Tigers in a battle of Atlantic Division foes. The Terps, who are receiving votes in this week's USA Today coaches poll, racked up a season-best 486 total yards of offense Saturday in cruising to a 51-24 victory over Eastern Michigan. The high-powered Clemson offense fared just as well as the Tigers defeated South Carolina State, 54-0. The Terrapins and Tigers will hit the Memorial Stadium field at noon ET. Raycom Sports will handle the regional television 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 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
• Maryland will be in search of its fourth straight win over a nationally-ranked opponent when it visits Death Valley Saturday. The Terps defeated No. 23 California, 35-27, in College Park on Sept. 13 and won their final two games vs. ranked foes in 2007. Maryland downed No. 10 Rutgers, 34-24, on Sept. 29 and No. 8 Boston College, 42-35, on Nov. 10.
• The Maryland offense, which has nine starters back from 2007, had a breakout game Saturday, scoring three times on the ground and three more through the air vs. Eastern Michigan. Sophomore Da'Rel Scott, who ranks fifth in the nation in rushing (135.7 ypg), sat out with an injury, but sophomore running back Morgan Green scored twice and junior All-America wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who ranks fifth in the ACC in receiving yards (62.5 pg), rushed for 81 yards and caught one of Chris Turner's two TD passes. Turner completed 15 of 23 passes vs EMU and ranks fourth in the ACC in passing efficiency. Opening holes for the running game is a veteran offensive line which returns six of its top seven performers from a year ago, including senior center Edwin Williams, who is on 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 six receptions over the last two games, including two for touchdowns.
• Seniors Jeremy Navarre, Dave Philistin and Kevin Barnes highlight a Maryland defense which has recorded eight sacks and picked off four passes over the last two games. They represent three of five starters back from a unit which ranked 24th nationally in points allowed (21.5 ppg) and 40th in total defense (358.0 ypg). The Terps have surrendered some yardage over the last two weeks, but the defense was integral to the upset of No. 23 California and its sixth-ranked rushing attack. The defense held the Golden Bears rushing attack to just 38 yards on the ground. Navarre has posted 13 tackles over the last two games, while Philistin, the leading returning tackler in the ACC and on the watch list for the Butkus Award, has 22 stops over the last two weeks. First-year starting linebacker Alex Wujciak has also made plays for the Terps. He posted a game-high 10 tackles vs. Eastern Michigan. Barnes ranks in the top 10 in the ACC in interceptions and passes defended.
• The Terps returned all components of its special teams unit from last 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, averaged 40.9 yards per punt last season, including 43.1 in league games, and is averaging 44.5 ypp through four games. Egekeze hit 17 of 23 field-goal attempts last year, including a near-perfect mark in league games (13 of 14/93 percent). After an 0-for-5 start to the season, Egekeze nailed all three attempts Saturday vs. Eastern Michigan. Sure-handed senior Danny Oquendo is the punt returner for the third straight season, while redshirt freshman Torrey Smith has emerged as a play-maker as the kickoff returner. Smith, a reserve wideout, is averaging 26.3 yards per return which is fourth in the conference.
Quick Hitters...
• With Saturday's win over Eastern Michigan, Maryland scored at least 50 points for the seventh time in Ralph Friedgen's tenure and first time since scoring 55 in a road victory over Duke on Sept. 24, 2004.
• Maryland 486 yards of total offense versus Eastern Michigan was the most by the team since it gained 524 yards in an overtime win over North Carolina on Nov. 12, 2005.
• Maryland's 86 points during its last two games are the team's most during a two-game span since also lighting up the scoreboard for 86 points during wins over North Carolina (59-21) and Virginia (27-17) on Nov. 1 and Nov. 13 of 2003.
• The Terps are opening the conference slate on the road for the third straight season. Maryland lost to No. 18 Georgia Tech, 27-23, in Atlanta in 2006 and dropped a 31-24 overtime heart-breaker to Wake Forest last season. The Terps won their two previous ACC road openers, downing Duke 55-21 in 2004 and Wake Forest, 22-12, in 2005.
• Maryland is 196-162-4 (.547) all-time in ACC contests, including a 33-23 (.589) mark under Friedgen. Maryland is 28-25-2 in ACC road openers. Under Friedgen, the Terps are 3-4 in league road openers.
• The Terps have an all-time record of 595-517-43 (.534), including a 59-32 (.648) mark under Ralph Friedgen.
Heyward-Bey Leading the Way...
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey continued to provide a spark for the Terps offense against Eastern Michigan. The junior wideout snared a 32-yard touchdown strike from QB Chris 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.
• Heyward-Bey has now caught at least one pass in 28 of the last 29 contests dating back to the 2006 season. His 21.0 yards per catch average in 2008 is tied for sixth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) among the nation's top 100 wide players in total receiving yards.
• Heyward-Bey continued his ascent through the receiving portion of Maryland's record book. By recording 31 receiving yards against Eastern Michigan, the junior wideout passed Barry Johnson (1987-90) and Greg Hill (1982-84) to move into fifth place all-time in school history with 1,730 career receiving yards. He stands just 18 receiving yards behind Marcus Badgett (1989-92) for fourth all-time.
• Heyward-Bey's 11th career touchdown reception in the second quarter against the Eagles moved him into a three-way tie for fifth all-time at Maryland with Johnson and Badgett.
• Now with 108 career receptions, Heyward-Bey has passesd Johnson and is tied for sixth all-time with Azizuddin Abdur-Ra'oof (1984-87) on that list. He needs five catches to move from sixth to fifth on the Terps career receptions list.
• Heyward-Bey currently ranks fifth in the ACC and 90th nationally in the NCAA FBS in receiving yards per game (62.5 ypg). He is tied for the team lead and ranks tied for sixth in the ACC in touchdown scoring (6.0 ppg).
Great Scott...
• Despite missing last Saturday's game vs. Eastern Michigan with a shoulder injury, RB Da'Rel Scott currently ranks first in the ACC and fifth in the nation (FBS) in rushing (135.7 ypg). He also ranks second in the ACC and 24th nationally in all-purpose yards (146.0 ypg).
• Despite playing in just three games, Scott leads the Terps in rushing yards (407). He is tied for the team lead with Darrius Heyward-Bey and tied for sixth in the ACC in touchdown scoring (6.0 ppg).
• Through the first four games this season, 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).
Turner on Target...
QB Chris Turner continued to spearhead a productive Terrapins offense against Eastern Michigan, completing 15 of 23 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns. In addition to the 32-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey, Turner also found TE Dan Gronkowski for a 4-yard score in the third quarter, marking the second consecutive game the duo has hooked up for a touchdown.
• Turner has been especially sharp on third down this season, completing 20 of 26 passes (76 percent), including an 8-for-8, 109-yard performance vs. EMU.
• Turner currently ranks fourth in the ACC and 41st in the nation (FBS) in passing efficiency (136.6). He also ranks sixth in the conference in passing yards (146.5 ypg).
• Turner has now thrown for at least 200 yards in eight of the last nine games in which he has started dating back to last season.
Moten's Block Party...
LB Adrian Moten blocked Eastern Michigan's Patrick Treppa's punt following the Eagles' first possession Saturday, marking the first blocked punt for the Terps since Josh Wilson swatted one against Williams & 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. Moten added an interception during the second quarter against Eastern Michigan when he backpedalled and made an athletic play on QB Kyle McMahon's pass.
Going Green...
RB Morgan Green found the end zone on fourth-and-inches in the first quarter against Eastern Michigan 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.
Quick Strike Ability...
The Terps have been able to get on the board quickly on a number of offensive drives this season. Saturday vs. Eastern Michigan, the Terps had a season-high four touchdown drives which lasted five or fewer plays and less than 2:00. On the season, 11 of the team's 15 TDs have come on drives of five plays or less in fewer than 2:00.
Did you Know?...
The Terps are one of 10 teams nationally to have an offensive third-efficiency of 46 percent or greater and a defensive third-down efficiency of 30 percent or less. Maryland is tied for 23rd in offensive third-down efficiency (48 percent) and tied for 26th defensively (29.1 percent). The other nine teams are Alabama, Boise State, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, South Florida and TCU. The 10 teams have a combined record of 33-2 on the season and seven of the squads are ranked in the AP top 25.
Clemson At-A-Glance...
• Riding a three-game win streak, Clemson (3-1), a preseason selection to win the ACC's Atlantic Division, is ranked No. 20 in the AP poll and No. 19 in the USA Today poll heading into Saturday's showdown.
• The Tigers have rebounded following a season-opening 34-10 loss to Alabama, which is currently ranked No. 8 in the AP poll. Since that loss, Clemson has beaten The Citadel, ACC foe NC State and SC State by an average margin of nearly 34 points.
• Clemson's Memorial Stadium, referred to as `Death Valley' has proven a difficult environment in which for visiting teams to play. The Tigers have won more than 72 percent of their games played there (243-94-7).
• Clemson ranks among the ACC leaders offensively in first downs (first - 86), scoring offense (second - 34.0 ppg), pass offense (second - 237.5 ypg), red zone offense (third - 84.2 percent), pass efficiency (third - 137.7) and total offense (fourth - 389.2 ypg). The Tigers are in the top-50 nationally (FBS) in fewest tackles for loss allowed (16th), scoring offense (35th), passing efficiency (38th), first downs (39th), passing offense (44th) and red zone efficiency (47th).
• A reigning All-ACC second team selection, QB Cullen Harper directs the Tigers offense. The senior has completed 69 of 104 passes for 793 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Harper was voted the 2008 ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
• The talented tandem of RBs James Davis and C.J. Spiller has combined for 455 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during Clemson's first four games. Spiller, a junior, leads the team in all-purpose yards (136.5), and Davis, a senior, is a two-time All-ACC first team nominee.
• Reigning All-ACC first team WR Aaron Kelly headlines Clemson's receiving corps, but he has plenty of help. Kelly and fellow WRs Jacoby Ford and Tyler Grisham serve as Harper's favorite targets, having combined for 49 receptions and receiving 569 yards this season.
• The Tigers have a talented but less experienced offensive line this season following the graduation of standouts G Chris McDuffie and T Barry Richardson.
• In addition to his offensive productivity, Spiller represents a dynamic weapon for the Tigers on special teams. The junior ranks 15th in the nation (FBS) in kickoff returns (31.33 ypr) and also serves as the team's primary punt returner.
• Defensively, Clemson ranks among the ACC leaders in scoring defense (fifth - 15.0 ppg) and rushing defense (fifth - 113.5 ypg).
• Playing opportunistically throughout its first four games, the Tigers defense is tied for fourth in the nation (FBS) in interceptions (eight) and tied for 20th nationally in turnovers gained (nine).
• S Michael Hamlin, a reigning All-ACC second team selection, provides leadership for the Tigers defensive backfield. Hamlin ranks second in the ACC in interceptions (.75 pg), and CBs Crezdon Butler and Chris Chancellor have chipped in two picks apiece thus far this season.
• DTs Jarvis Jenkins, Dorell Scott and Brandon Thompson each have notched at least three tackles for loss during their team's first four games.
• LB Kavell Conner paces the Tigers with 35 tackles this season.
Maryland-Clemson Series History...
• Saturday's game will mark the 57th meeting between the Terrapins and Tigers. The two teams met for the first time in 1952, and have played every year since, with Clemson owning a 30-24-2 edge in the all-time series. Maryland is 12-16 vs. Clemson in games played in Death Valley, but has wins in two of its last three trips.
• The Terps are 4-3 against the Tigers under Ralph Friedgen, including a 13-12 win in 2006 in Clemson. S.C. Prior to Friedgen's arrival, Clemson had taken eight straight and 13 of 14 in the series.
• Two years ago, Maryland won 13-12 at Clemson after Dan Ennis nailed a 31-yard field goal as time expired. With the victory over the 19th-ranked Tigers, the Terrapins moved into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division race.
• Sam Hollenbach led the Terps in that game, completing 23 of 34 passes for 247 yards before a crowd of 79,000 fans. He hit on 11 straight throws during one stretch, including Maryland's only touchdown play, a 7-yard scoring pass to Danny Oquendo.
• Clemson won 30-17 last season in College Park, but the three previous meetings were decided by a combined eight points. The Tigers triumphed 10-7 in 2004 and 28-24 in 2005 before Maryland's one-point victory in 2006.
Maryland-Clemson Ties...
• The Terps have four players on their roster from the state of South Carolina, including starting defensive end Mack Frost, freshman offensive linemen Justin Lewis and Stephen St. John, and reserve wide receiver Ronnie Tyler.
• Maryland special teams/tight ends coach Danny Pearman is a 1987 graduate of Clemson. He lettered three years as a tight end and was a part of two ACC championship teams. He also served as a graduate assistant in 1988-89.
• Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence coached quarterbacks at Maryland from 1994-96.
• Pearman and Clemson wide receivers coach Dabo Swinney were on staff together at Alabama. Pearman had multiple duties from 1990 to 97, while Swinney was there from 1993 to 2000.
• Pearman and Clemson special teams coach Andre Powell were on the North Carolina staff together during the 2006 season.
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. Portis rushed for a game-high and career-high 98 yards against Eastern Michigan. 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 quarterback since Shaun Hill ran for 105 yards on five carries vs. Duke on Oct. 20, 2001. With 135 yards on 21 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.
Terp Trickery...
All three of Maryland's first-string wide receivers got involved in a trick play that resulted in a touchdown during the fourth quarter against Eastern Michigan. Darrius Heyward-Bey took a handoff and threw a lateral to fellow WR Danny Oquendo, who threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to WR Isaiah 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. Boston College on Nov. 18, 2006.
Through the Uprights...
PK Obi Egekeze converted his first field goal of the season when he booted a 23-yarder to culminate Maryland's opening possession vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20). He added a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter. It was the first three-field goal game by a Maryland kicker since Egekeze knocked through three against NC State last season (11/24/07). He also has 20 career field goals which places him 11th on the Maryland career list (see chart on pg. 7). He had a solid all-around game, placing four of his kickoffs in the end zone and adding a solo tackle on one of the six kicks which were returned.
Philistin: Tackle Machine...
LB Dave Philistin registered nine tackles, including one-half sack vs. Eastern Michigan. The ACC's leading returning tackler, Philistin now leads the team with 37 tackles through the first four games of the season. He has posted at least nine stops in 11 of the team's last 13 games dating back to last season.
• Philistin currently ranks third in the ACC and tied for 32nd in the nation (FBS) in total tackles (9.25 pg). He had led the team in tackles in six of the last nine games dating back to 2007.
• Philistin was not the only linebacker to come up big vs. Eastern Michigan. Fellow LB Alex Wujciak posted a game-high 10 tackles - including 1.5 tackles for loss -- in the victory over the Eagles.
Smith: All-purpose Player...
WR Torrey Smith showcased his multi-dimensional abilities against Eastern Michigan (9/20). The redshirt freshman had a career-long 57-yard kickoff return on the play prior to fellow WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's 32-yard touchdown reception. Smith also added a career-long 44-yard catch of his own against the Eagles during the third quarter. Smith, who entered the game with 140 career all-purpose yards, accounted for 184 vs. the Eagles.
• Smith currently ranks fourth in the ACC and 30th in the nation (FBS) in kick return average (26.3 ypr).
McCollough's Timely Pick...
With Eastern Michigan threatening to score for the first time against the Terps midway through the first quarter, DB Jamari McCollough intercepted QB Kyle McMahon's pass in the end zone to preserve the early advantage. It marked the first pick of his career. McCollough picked off another pass - Maryland's sixth of the season - to conclude the contest.
Sack Barrage...
The Maryland defense continued to get to the opposing quarterback against Eastern Michigan. Six players combined on three quarterback sacks vs. the Eagles. DLs Jeremy Navarre and Bemi Otulaja and LBs Rick Costa, Trey Covington, Adrian Moten and Dave Philistin each contributed half-sacks in the defensive effort against Eastern Michigan. The latest sack outburst came a week after the Terps defense recorded five sacks vs. Cal.
• With two sacks apiece thus far in 2008, Costa and fellow LB Moise Fokou currently rank tied for sixth in the ACC and tied for 83rd in the nation (FBS) in sacks (.50 pg).
Mighty Meggett ...
Fresh off a career-high 82-yard rushing performance vs. Cal, RB Davin Meggett played sparingly against Eastern Michigan due to injury, rushing eight times for 23 yards. However, Meggett started last Saturday's game in place of injured RB Da'Rel Scott, becoming the first Maryland true freshman tailback to start a game since LaMont Jordan got the nod against Georgia Tech on Nov. 22, 1997. Megget 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.
`Gronk' scores again...
One game after TE Dan Gronkowski found the end zone for the first time in nearly two years on a 1-yard reception, the senior proved to be a big target for QB Chris Turner yet again. A candidate for the John Mackey Award bestowed to the nation's top tight end, Gronkowski snared a 4-yard touchdown pass from Turner in the third quarter to provide breathing space for the Terps aganst Eastern Michigan.
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. His lone punt vs. Eastern Michigan went for 44 yards and pinned the Eagles at their own 16-yard line. Baltz currently ranks third in the ACC in punting (44.5 ypp). Although he is one punt short of qualifying for NCAA rankings, Baltz would rank 11th in the nation in punting.
Chism's Debut...
True freshman DB Cameron Chism made his Maryland debut against Eastern Michigan 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. Chism is the fourth true freshman to see action this season, joining RB Davin Meggett, DB Kenny Tate and TE Matt Furstenburg.
Big Play Ability...
The Terps offense notched 10 plays of 20 yards or more vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20) and now has 26 such gains on the season. Of those 26 instances, WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has accounted for eight of them (six receiving and two rushing) and RB Da'Rel Scott has accounted for six of them (all rushing).
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 four games of the 2008 season, Maryland ranks third in the ACC and 14th nationally (FBS) in fewest penalties (3.75 pg).
Points off Turnovers...
When LB Adrian Moten and DB Jamari McCollough contributed big plays defensively against Eastern Michigan, the Maryland offense capitalized. Both of the Terps' first-half interceptions were converted into scores, giving the team 14 points off turnovers against the Eagles. They also scored three points off a blocked punt. Maryland had scored just seven points this season off opponents' turnovers in the first three games.
Offensive Notes...
• The Maryland offense, which returned nine starters - its most since 1999 - and 23 letterwinners from last season, currently ranks among the ACC's leaders in third down efficiency (tied for second - 48 percent), rushing offense (third - 197.2 ypg) and pass efficiency (fifth - 131). The unit also is among the nation's leaders in several categories, ranking tied for 21st in fewest fumbles lost (two), 23rd in third down efficiency and 26th in rushing.
• 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.
• Enjoying its biggest offensive outburst of the season vs. Eastern Michigan, 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) are the team's most during a two-game span since also lighting up the scoreboard for 86 points during wins over North Carolina (59-21) and Virginia (27-17) on Nov. 1 and Nov. 13 of 2003.
• With its performance against Cal (9/13), the Terps offense set then-season-highs in points (35), first downs (19), pass completions (15), rushing TDs (three) and passing TDs (two).
• Continuing to prove he is one of the nation's top ball carriers this season, RB Da'Rel Scott rushed 19 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns versus Cal (9/13), despite playing less than three quarters (shoulder injury). He found the end zone 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 for the Golden Bears.
• WR Darrius Heyward-Bey snared two catches for a team-high 59 yards vs. Cal (9/13), including a 27-yard touchdown reception from QB Chris Turner in the third quarter that extended Maryland's lead over the Golden Bears to 28-6. That score, the 10th receiving touchdown of Heyward-Bey's career, proved crucial, as Cal mounted a late comeback.
• Turner rebounded from a sub-par effort vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/6) by completing 15 of 19 passes (78.9 percent) against 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 (11/10/07). Turner finished the afternoon with 156 passing yards and two TDs with no picks. Turner found TE Dan Gronkowski for a 1-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter and later connected with Heyward-Bey in the third quarter for a 27-yard strike.
• RB Davin Meggett replaced injured teammate Da'Rel 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 touchdown of his career in the fourth quarter when he ran in from 1-yard out for a score that proved to be the difference. The true freshman's rush for 38 yards in the fourth quarter Saturday marked a career-long.
• Gronkowski (career-high four receptions for 24 yards) and fellow TE 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 Saturday. For Gronkowski, it was his second career touchdown and his first since a 2-yard score versus Florida State Oct. 28, 2006.
• With the win over Cal (9/13), the Terps improved to 3-0 in games against ranked opponents (Rutgers and BC in 2007) when Turner served as the primary quarterback. In those games, the junior has completed 50 of 66 passes (78.8 percent) for 642 yards with five TDs and no picks.
• After posting 197 yards in the season opener, Scott turned in another impressive rushing performance versus the 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 average of 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 (Sept. 29) and Rutgers (Sept. 22) 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.
• Scott was not the only Maryland RB to have a memorable game against Delaware. Meggett had seven rushes for 54 yards. His 14-yard touchdown 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 quarterback heading into the season. Steffy, who started the first five games last season before suffering a concussion, completed 70 of 104 passes for 686 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. He 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). Turner started the final eight games of the 2007 season, completing 153 of 241 passes for 1,958 yards.
• The Terps quarterbacks operate behind a veteran-laden offensive line featuring five seniors who have seen significant playing time. C Edwin Williams, a preseason All-ACC nominee, anchors a line that boasts a collective 96 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 Bruce Campbell, Lamar Young, Danny Edwards and Paul Pinegar round out the two-deep for a unit that was decimated by injuries last season but should represent a strength for the offense in 2008.
• Heyward-Bey headlines a deep receiving corps that returns its top three players from a year ago. He is joined atop the depth chart at WR by seniors Danny Oquendo and Isaiah Williams. Sophomore LaQuan Williams, a reigning freshman All-ACC nominee, also made significant contributions in 2007. Beneath that veteran layer, a plethora of talented but less-proven WRs awaits opportunities to contribute. Sophomore Adrian Cannon and redshirt freshmen Ronnie Tyler and Torrey Smith each had impressive preseason camps and bolster the unit's depth.
• The performances of Scott, Meggett and Green are helping to ease the loss to graduation of last season's dynamic rushing duo of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball. Senior Rashad Henry and sophomore Dan Bonato round out Maryland's RB corp. Senior FB Cory Jackson open holes for the RBs, with sophomore FB Haroon Brown occupying a reserve role.
• A nominee for postseason honors, Gronkowski starts at TE for the Terps after sharing starting duties a year ago. Gronkowski caught seven passes for 66 yards last season, despite being used primarily as a blocking TE. He is the second-leading receiver on the team this season with seven catches. Junior Tommy Galt sits beneath Gronkowski on the depth chart, and Lansford Watson, a redshirt freshman, is atop the depth chart at H-back. Watson recorded his first collegiate reception in the fourth quarter against MTSU (9/6) when he made an acrobatic catch for 29 yards on a pass from Turner.
Defensive Notes...
• The Maryland defense currently ranks among the ACC's leaders in rushing defense (fourth - 112.0 ypg), defensive third down efficiency (fourth - 29.1 percent) and sacks (fourth - eight). The unit also is among the nation's leaders in several categories, ranking tied for 16th in the nation in interceptions (six), 26th in defensive third down efficiency and 39th in sacks.
• Maryland returns five starters and 20 letterwinners from a defensive unit that ranked fifth in the ACC last season in both run and pass defense. The unit boasts five players who have made at least 14 starts for the Terps, including 39 and 37 career starts, respectively, for DL Jeremy Navarre and LEO Trey Covington.
• 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.
• Several Maryland players rank among the conference leaders in key defensive categories through the first three games. DB Nolan Carroll is second in passes defended (1.67 pg) and fellow DB Kevin Barnes is tied for fourth (1.25 pg), LB Dave Philistin ranks third in tackles (9.2 pg), Barnes and fellow DB Jamari McCollough rank tied for sixth in interceptions (.50 pg), LBs Rick Costa and Moise Fokou rank tied for eighth in sacks (.50 pg) and Costa ranks tied for eighth in tackles for loss (1.0 pg).
• 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 tackles for loss versus Cal, which eclipsed their two-game total entering Saturday's game. The Terps defense did not surrender a touchdown 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) versus 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 Dean 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 a tackle for loss 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 pass breakups, including one with a big hit on Cal RB Jahvid Best in the second quarter. The senior cornerback is tied for the team lead with two interceptions this season, having also snared one in the season-opening win over Delaware (8/30).
• Mike LB Alex 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 and give the ball back to Maryland. Wujciak also tallied seven tackles, including a tackle for loss when he stopped Middle Tennessee State RB Desmond Gee four yards behind the line of scrimmage in the first quarter.
• Philistin tied for the team lead with nine tackles against the Blue Raiders (9/6), marking the fifth time in seven games he had led the defense in that category dating back to last season.
• During the season opener Aug. 30 against Delaware, Maryland's defense limited the Blue Hens to 249 total yards - the lowest by an opponent since holding Florida International to 163 total 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 field goal attempt in the second quarter, causing the kick to fall short of the uprights. It marked the first blocked field goal recorded by Maryland since Navarre swatted one against Florida State on Oct. 28, 2006.
• Barnes nabbed his first of the 2008 campaign 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 14-7 win over the Blue Hens (8/30). The senior CB also recorded a forced fumble in the season-opening game.
• 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 a pass-breakup vs. MTSU (9/6) before suffering an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of that game. He has missed the last two games.
• Navarre, a DT who leads active Terps with nine career sacks and is tied for third on the team with 23 tackles and also has one-half sack on the season, 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 NT Bemi Otulaja, though Deege Galt, Dion Armstrong and Muhtadi also see action on the defensive line. Junior Travis Ivey is also expected to a fixture inside once he returns from injury. After three seasons at defensive end, Navarre bumped inside to tackle in the spring and has flourished.
• With the addition of Wujciak, depth prevails for the Terrapins at linebacker, where three starters are back from 2007 in Covington, Philistin and Fokou. Covington has started 36 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 added 83 tackles and two sacks a year ago, and shares the strongside with his backup, sophomore Adrian Moten, who earned freshman All-America honors in 2007. Redshirt freshman Ben Pooler rounds out the two-deep by serving as the reserve Mike LB behind Wujciak.
• Barnes is the lone returning starter in the secondary and is expected to provide leadership for the talented unit. Juniors Carroll and Anthony Wiseman share time at the other CB spot. Senior Jeff Allen, who ranks tied for third on the team with 23 tackles, 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 serves as a reserve CB after being sidelined last season with a knee injury. Perez made his first career start against Cal (9/13) in place of Skinner, who is still recovering from an ankle injury.
• 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 - 0-3) and kick returns (21.6 ypr). The unit also is among the best in the nation in several categories, ranking 13th in net punting (39.77 ypp) and 26th in punt return yardage defense (4.2 ypr).
• Several Maryland players rank among the conference leaders in key special teams categories. P Travis Baltz ranks third in punting (44.5 ypp), WR Torrey Smith ranks fourth in punt returns (26.3 ypr) and PK Obi Egekeze ranks seventh in scoring (6.0 ppg).
• The Maryland special teams unit had an outstanding performance against Eastern Michigan, 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, marking the first three-field goal game by a Maryland kicker since Egekeze booted three vs. NC State last season (11/24/07). The senior is also perfect on all 15 PATs this season.
• LB Adrian Moten blocked Patrick Treppa's punt following Eastern Michigan's first possession Saturday, marking the first blocked punts for the Terps since Josh Wilson blocked one against Williams & 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.
• During the game against EMU, Smith had a career-long 57-yard kickoff return on the play prior to fellow WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's 32-yard touchdown reception. Smith finished the game with four returns for a career-high 126 kickoff return yards.
• 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, 2007.
• Baltz followed up a strong performance against Delaware (8/30) in which he landed two punts inside the Blue Hens' 20-yard-line by punting four times for 171 yards with a long punt of 54 yards against MTSU (9/6).
• Egekeze struggled to open the season, missing his first five field-goal attempts, though three were from 40 or more yards and three hit the goal posts.
• Smith compiled a then-career-highs with 86 yards on four kickoff returns against MTSU (9/6), including a long return of 30 yards.
• After starting the 2007 campaign with an untested punter and place-kicker, Maryland has the luxury of having proven players occupying those positions this season. Egekeze and Baltz both provided strong performances during their first season at their respective positions in 2007. Egekeze connected on 17 of 23 field goal attempts 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.
• Maryland is fortunate to have WR Danny Oquendo back for his third season as the team's primary punt returner. With seven returns for 45 yards (6.4 ypr) thus far in 2008, the sure-handed senior has moved into eighth place on the Terps all-time list with 386 punt return yards and ninth place with 48 career punt returns.
• Smith has handled the majority of the kickoff returns thus far in 2008, accounting for 263 yards on 10 returns (26.3 ypr), including a career-long 57-yard return vs. Eastern Michigan to set up a Maryland touchdown. DB Terrell Skinner returned one kickoff for 15 yards in the season-opening game versus Delaware, and fellow DBs Kenny Tate and Trenton Hughes might also be called upon to fill that role.
• Reliable long-snapper Andrew Schmitt, a three-year starter, 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...
7...Number of 2007 bowl teams slated to play the Terps in 2008.
8...Number of sacks the Terps have recorded over the last two games.
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.
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.
21.2...Darrius Heyward-Bey is averaging 21.2 yards each time he touches the ball this season.
27...Number of former Terps on NFL rosters (see list on page 18).
30...Number of seniors on this season's Maryland roster.
59...The Terps have won 59 games in Ralph Friedgen's seven-plus seasons which is more than they had in the 14 years prior to his arrival (55).
86...The Terps have connected on 86 straight PATs, dating back to 2005 (vs. UNC). Obi Egekeze hit all 36 attempts last season and nine this year. Dan Ennis was good on all 32 in 2006.
80...Length of the touchdown reception by WR Darrius Heyward-Bey against Middle Tennessee State. It marked the second-longest of his career, trailing only his school-record 96-yarder versus Miami Nov. 11, 2006.
96...The Terps top six offensive linemen - Edwin Williams (30), Dane Randolph (21), Scott Burley (16), Jaimie Thomas (15), Phil Costa (10) and Jack Griffin (4) - have combined to start 96 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.
