Saturday, Sept. 26

Maryland (1-2, 0-0 ACC)

vs.

Rutgers (2-1, 0-1 BIG EAST)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: College Park, Md.
Stadium: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000). Click here for parking information.

TV: ESPN360 - Jim Barbar (play-by-play) and Jeremy Bloom (color) will call the action in the webcast. Comcast SportsNet will air a replay in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore market at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network - Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Jonathan Claiborne (color) and Tim Strachan (sidelines) have the call. Pregame with Gary Stein and Scott McBrien begins at 2 p.m. ET The game can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio Channel 241 and Sirius Channel 219. Click here to Listen Live on-line through Terps TV. The Terrapin Sports Radio Network (13 affiliates): WJZ-FM 105.7 - Baltimore (Flagship); WJZ-AM 1300 - Baltimore (Flagship); WJFK-FM 106.7 - Washington D.C.; WCEM-AM 1240 - Cambridge; WBEY-FM 97.9 - Crisfield; WGOP-AM 540 - Crisfield; WFMD-AM 930 - Frederick; WARK-AM 1490 - Hagerstown; WPTX-AM 1690 - Lexington Park; WVMD-FM 99.5 - Midland; WMSG-AM 1050 - Oakland; WQMR-FM 101.1 - Ocean City; WTGM-AM 960 - Salisbury. Click here to view a PDF of the Terrapin Sports Radio Network coverage map.

Tickets: Tickets for home games are available through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office. Fans my call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here.

Terps on the Air...
Maryland's football broadcasting lineup for 2009-10 includes the Ralph Friedgen Radio Show and the Ralph Friedgen Television Show. The Ralph Friedgen Radio Show airs from 8-9 p.m. each Wednesday during the season on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network which has 13 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 (note: this week's rebroadcast will occur at 7:30 p.m. Sunday). Comcast SportsNet will carry the official rebroadcasts of all 12 University of Maryland football matchups.

First-and-10...
• The University of Maryland, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Ralph Friedgen, will look to get back on the winning track Saturday when it plays host to Rutgers at the newly-refurbished Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium. The Terps were on the losing end of a last-second field goal Saturday, falling to Middle Tennessee State, 32-31, one week after downing James Madison, 38-35, in overtime. Maryland and Rutgers are meeting for the second time in three years. The Maryland-Rutgers contest will be streamed live over the internet on ESPN 360 and broadcast on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will show a replay of the game at 8 p.m. Sunday.
• After posting just 13 points in the season opener, the Maryland offense, ranked fifth in the ACC in total yards (373.3 ypg) has come alive the last two weeks scoring 38 and 31 points, respectively. The Terps had five scoring drives vs. James Madison and rolled up a season-high 446 yards of total offense vs. Middle Tennessee State. Senior QB Chris Turner is coming off his most efficient performance of the season, completing 19 of 30 passes for a season-high 288 yards and two TDs, both of which went to Torrey Smith. The sophomore WR had five receptions for a career-high 165 receiving yards vs. the Blue Raiders. Smith ranks tied for third in the ACC in receptions (4.7 pg). Junior RB Da'Rel Scott rushed for a season-high 117 yards and one score vs. MTSU. He ranks second in the ACC in rushing (91.7 ypg). Senior Phil Costa, who has started 21 career games, is the leader of the offensive line which has been without the services of junior LT Bruce Campbell the last two weeks. True freshman Bennett Fulper (left guard) and redshirt freshman R.J. Dill (right tackle) started for the first time vs. JMU. Sophomore Davin Meggett has rushed for 96 yards on the season and caught nine passes for 70 yards, while junior Adrian Cannon has 10 catches, which is second on the team.
• Linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten have been the top playmakers on a defense which has just four starters back from last season. Wujciak, a second-team All-ACC selection last season, has a team-high 28 tackles and Moten has 26, including a career-high 13 stops vs. James Madison and 11 vs. Middle Tennessee State. First-year defensive coordinator Don Brown has a veteran secondary, though one which was dealt a blow in the first two games. Seniors Anthony Wiseman, Nolan Carroll, Terrell Skinner and Jamari McCollough each played significant roles last season Skinner is the second-leading returning tackler, having registered 63 stops last season. McCollough had a team-high four picks in 2008, but has missed the last two games. Carroll emerged as the team's No. 1 cornerback, but his season came to an end vs. JMU due to a broken tibia. Sophomore Kenny Tate was one of the the most impressive defenders in the preseason and has tallied 14 tackles on the season. Seniors Travis Ivey, Jared Harrell and Deege Galt are veterans on the defensive line. Ivey gives the line size and athleticism on the interior, while Galt and Moten each have 1.5 sacks apiece. The Terps racked up season highs in turnovers forced (3), tackles for loss (10.0) and sacks (4.0) vs. MTSU.
• The special teams unit, under the direction of first-year coordinator Charles Bankins, features a pair of preseason All-Americans in Smith and junior punter Travis Baltz. Smith set the ACC single-season record for kickoff return yards (1,089) last season and has confirmed his preseason All-America selection. He returned his second career kickoff for a touchdown vs. James Madison and is averaging 249.0 all-purpose yards per game, tops in the nation. Baltz was a first-team All-ACC choice in 2008 after leading the league in punting average (41.1 ypp). He was a preseason consensus first team All-ACC pick and is one of just nine punters on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award. True freshman Nick Ferrara won the place-kicking job over redshirt freshman Mike Barbour just before the season opener. Ferrara delivered a pair of field goals vs. Cal (9/5) and the game-winner in overtime vs. JMU (9/12), hitting from 26 yards out. Sophomore Tony Logan was expected to be the No. 1 punt returner, taking over for three-year starter Danny Oquendo, but he missed the first two games before seeing time vs. MTSU. Tate and Wiseman have been the primary punt returners so far this season.

Quick Hitters...
• Saturday's game will mark just the second meeting between Maryland and Rutgers since Oct. 10, 1942 when the Terps downed the Scarlet Knights 27-13 in a game played at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The only other meeting occurred two years ago when the Terps downed No. 10 Rutgers, 34-24, in Piscataway, N.J.
• Maryland owns a 5-3 edge in the series with Rutgers, but the teams have never met in College Park. The teams did meet up at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium in 1940 and 1942.
• Dating back to the end of the 2007 season, the Terps have won eight of their last 10 home games.
• Ralph Friedgen is among the winningest coaches in Atlantic Coast Conference history. He ranks 10th all-time in winning percentage with a record of 65-38 (.631). Maryland has made six postseason appearances in Friedgen's eight seasons, including a school-record four bowl wins.
• Maryland is 23-9 in non-conference games under Friedgen, including a 19-3 mark at home.
• The Terps' 10 returning starters are the second-fewest in the Friedgen era. Heading into the 2004 season, Maryland had nine starters (five offense/four defense) back from the previous campaign.
• Sophomore Torrey Smith averaged a school record 21.3 yards each time he touched the ball last season (1,425 yards/67 attempts) and has picked up where he left off. Smith posted a career-high 287 all-purpose yards (165 receiving/109 kickoff/13 rush) vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19) and ranks first in the nation in that category (249.0). He set the ACC single-season kickoff return yards record (1,089) last season and should set the Maryland career mark with his next return. He needs nine yards to eclipse Keeta Covington (1983-86/1,520) for the Terps career mark.
• Smith is the only player in the NCAA FBS to post at least 225 all-purpose yards in each of the first three games this season. In fact, only two other players - C.J. Spiller (Clemson) and Damaris Johnson (Tulsa) - have done it twice.
• Smith's 165 receiving yards vs. MTSU (9/19) were the most by a Maryland player since Darrius Heyward-Bey had 175 vs. Miami (11/11/06).
• Chris Turner is on track to become the first three-year starting quarterback since Brian Cummings (1995-97). The senior ranks fourth on Maryland's career completion percentage list (60.0), fourth in career passing yards chart (5,165), sixth in total offense (4,959), third in completions (428), third in career pass attempts (713) and tied for seventh in TD passes (23). Turner should move from fourth to third on the Maryland career passing yards list with his first completion vs. Rutgers. He needs five yards to pass Scott McBrien (2002-03/5,169) for third place.
• Junior Da'Rel Scott moved from 20th to 19th on the Maryland career rushing chart by posting 117 yards on the ground vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19). Scott, who has 1,543 career rushing yards, needs two more to pass Chet Hanulak (1951-53/1,544) for 18th place and 39 more yards to pass Alvin Maddox (1975-78/1,571) for 17th (see chart on pg. 5). Scott needs another 457 rushing yards this season to become the 10th back in school history to reach 2,000 yards.
• Junior LB Alex Wujciak has posted double-digit stops in 10 of his last 13 games, including a season-best 11 vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19).

Increased Pressure...
Maryland entered the Middle Tennessee game having totaled 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in the previous two contests. Against MTSU, the defense totaled 10.0 TFLs for 51 yards, including with 4.0 sacks for 45 yards. The Terps also interecepted two passes and had three pass breakups.

Rutgers Rewind...
Two seasons ago, Maryland visited Rutgers coming off a heart-breaking loss. One week earlier, the Terps lost 31-24 in overtime at Wake Forest after the Demon Deacons scored the final four touchdowns of the game. However, the Terps rebounded with a solid effort vs. the 10th-ranked Scarlet Knights. Quarterback Chris Turner saw his first significant action. He came off the bench to replace an injured Jordan Steffy and led Maryland to 20 second-half points. Keon Lattimore also rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown and Lance Ball chipped in 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Twelve members of the current roster - Anthony Wiseman, Terrell Skinner, Chris Turner, Cory Jackson, Tommy Galt, Phil Costa, Travis Ivey, Da'Rel Scott, Adrian Moten, Travis Balz, Drew Gloster and Nolan Carroll - played in that game. Jackson was the only who started.

Solid Starting Debut...
Cameron Chism made the most of his first career start. Chism, who made his first career start vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19), in place of the injured Nolan Carroll, made his presence felt. The sophomore recorded a career-high 12 tackles, and made his first career interception in the first half. The pick was also Maryland's first of the season. Then, with 4:52 remaining in the game and Maryland clinging to a 31-29 lead, Chism stepped in front of another Dasher pass for his second interception of the game. He was the first cornerback to register double-digit stops since Kevin Barnes in 2007 (10 vs. Georgia Tech, Oct. 6) and it was the most tackles registered by a CB since Josh Wilson also tallied 12 vs. Virginia on Oct. 1, 2005.

Going Deep...
Prior to the game against MTSU (9/19), the Terps longest passing play of the season was a 29-yarder from Chris Turner to Torrey Smith in the season opener at California (9/5). Against the Blue Raiders, Turner found Smith on plays of 64, 42 and 37 yards, marking the three longest passing plays of the season. The 37-yard play went for a touchdown that extended Maryland's lead to 21-13 in the second half. The 64-yard play came in the fourth quarter when Turner aired it out down the left sideline, and Smith again made the catch, shook off a defender and made his way to the end zone to give Maryland a 28-23 lead.

First-Time Starters...
• Eight Terps made their first career starts in the season opener against California (9/5). Lamar Young, Andrew Gonnella, and Paul Pinegar all got their first starts on the offensive line, while Tommy Galt and Matt Furstenburg started as dual tight ends. On the defensive side, A.J. Francis and Deege Galt started on the D-line, while Demetrius Hartsfield started at linebacker.
• True freshman Bennett Fulper made his first career start against James Madison. Fulper, who started at left guard, is one of just two freshmen to start on the offensive line in the last four seasons. Bruce Campbell started one game in 2007 (vs. Clemson, 10/27). Prior to that, the last true freshman to start on the o-line was Jared Gaither in 2005 (vs. NC State, 11/26).
• Redshirt freshman R.J. Dill had his first career start vs. James Madison (9/12), opening the game at right tackle.
• Sophomore cornerback Cameron Chism made his first career start vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19).

Terps Lose No. 1 Corner for Second-Straight Year...
The collegiate career of Nolan Carroll came to an end during the James Madison game (9/12). The senior cornerback broke his right tibia during the fourth quarter of the game and is out for the season. Carroll was the Terps' No. 1 cornerback and one of four team captains. He ends his Maryland career with 61 tackles and nine pass breakups. The Terps also lost their No. 1 cornerback midway through last season when Kevin Barnes was injured vs. Wake Forest (10/18).

Not Lacking for Talent...
At first glance, the Maryland coaching staff looks to have a daunting task this season as 30 seniors are gone from last year's team, including 23 players who started at least one game in their careers. The Terrapins do have a number of talented individuals back in the folld with 38 letterwinners, including 10 starters (six offense/four defense) and two special teams standouts, back from last year's squad which advanced to the team's sixth bowl game (Humanitarian Bowl) in the last eight years. Fortunately, the Terps have a standout at quarterback in two-year starter Chris Turner, a gifted group of skill position players and some veterans on defense. The Terps also signed a recruiting class ranked as high as No. 26 in the country. A handful of those true freshmen have already seen time with LB Darin Drakeford, PK Nick Ferrara, OL Bennett Fulper and DL Zachariah Kerr playing vs. California (9/5). There were also 10 redshirt freshmen getting on the field for the first time with WR Kerry Boykins, RB Gary Douglas, WR Kevin Dorsey, DL Masengo Kabongo, LB Demetrius Hartsfield, OL Justin Gilbert, OL R.J. Dill, OL Justin Lewis, DL A.J. Francis and DL Carl Russell seeing snaps vs. Cal. TE Matt Furstenburg, a redshirt freshman, also played against the Golden Bears, though he saw time last season before earning a medical redshirt. True freshman DL Isaiah Ross made his first appearance vs. James Madison (9/12) and true freshman linebacker Avery Murray saw time on special teams vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19).

Cool Under Center...
Senior Chris Turner has been the Terps starter the last two seasons, though he made his first season-opening start vs. Cal (9/5). Turner has made the most of his opportunities the last two years, leading the Terps to a pair of bowl appearances and six wins in eight appearances (5-2 as starter) vs. ranked teams (AP poll). He also directed three fourth-quarter game-winning drives last season and one in overtime during a 38-35 win over James Madison (9/12). Turner seems to have even taken a step further this year as head coach Ralph Friedgen praised him throughout preseason camp for not only his improved play, but also his leadership. His teammates agreed as he is one of four elected team captains.
• Turner has started under center for wins over No. 20 Clemson, No. 23 Cal, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 17 North Carolina in 2008, and No. 8 Boston College in 2007. He also played an integral role in another such game (win over No. 10 Rutgers in 2007) during Maryland's winning streak against ranked foes which was snapped at six with last season's loss to Boston College.
• Turner has been on target vs. ranked foes. In eight games vs. the Top 25, Turner has completed 160 of 255 passes (62.7 percent) for 1,803 yards with nine TDs and two interceptions.

Plenty of Skill on Offense...
Despite losing a first-round NFL draft choice in Darrius Heyward-Bey and returning just six starters on offense, Maryland has many of its skilled players back in the fold:
• Junior RB Da'Rel Scott is coming off a year in which he was named first-team All-ACC and MVP of the Humanitarian Bowl. He capped his sophomore campaign by rushing for a Maryland bowl-record 174 yards (all in the second half) on 14 carries (12.4 ypc) vs. Nevada. With that performance, Scott became the seventh player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Chris Downs in 2002. Scott finished the season with 1,133 rushing yards - the seventh-highest single-season total all-time at Maryland - and a team-best eight touchdowns. He is coming off his highest rushing total of the season, posting 117 yards on just 13 carries. He is averaging 6.4 yards per rush which ranks third in the ACC.
• Sophomore Torrey Smith emerged as a receiving threat midway through last season and has a chance to be one of the best in the league by season's end. Over the last eight games of his career, Smith has posted 30 receptions for 509 yards (16.9 ypc) with three touchdowns. In his first eight games, he registered just eight catches for 101 yards. He currently ranks tied for third in the ACC in receptions (4.7 pg) and second in receiving yards (91.3 ypg).
• Junior Adrian Cannon appears to have emerged as a receving threat as well. Cannon demonstrated his explosiveness in last year's bowl game, scoring on a 59-yard strike from Chris Turner on the third play of the game. Cannon also made a number of big plays in the preseason scrimmages and ranks second on the team in receptions (10), including a 27-yard TD reception which helped send the JMU game to overtime.
• Sophomore Ronnie Tyler made a number of acrobatic catches last season and had a solid bowl game posting five receptions for 55 yards, including a TD. Tyler has made plays early in the season, catching seven passes for 89 yards, including a number of clutch receptions. Redshirt freshman Kerry Boykins and junior LaQuan Williams are also expected to see time with Tyler as the slot receiver.
• Davin Meggett had a memorable true freshman season. Meggett was second on the team in rushing (457 yards) and rushing touchdowns (four). He helped spark wins vs. NC State and North Carolina. Meggett had a key 31-yard reception on third down to set up the game-winning field goal vs. NC State, and tallied a career-high 86 yards on 13 carries in the win over UNC. He was pushing Scott in the preseason for the No. 1 tailback spot and ranks second on the team in rushing (96 yards).
• Sophomore wide receivers Tony Logan and Quintin McCree and redshirt freshman Kevin Dorsey all showed flashes in the spring and preseason. McCree has received the most time among the trio this season.

Youth On the O-Line...
After losing five of his top seven performers from a year ago, offensive line coach Tom Brattan had a busy off-season. Gone are three-year starting center Edwin Williams, two-year starting left guard Jaimie Thomas and two-year starting tackle Scott Burley. Jack Griffin and Dane Randolph also completed their eligibility. In all, those five players combined to start 115 games. LT Bruce Campbell and C Phil Costa return as starters. Campbell started the last six games at left tackle last season, while Costa has played at left and right guard in his career. Costa has taken over as the starting center this year and is the leader of this group. The other three spots were up for grabs entering the preseason. Lamar Young and Andrew Gonnella assumed the No. 1 spots at left and right guard, respectively, for the season opener, with junior Paul Pinegar sliding into the right tackle role. However, a number of other linemen played vs. Cal (9/5). R.J. Dill saw time at right tackle, while true freshman Bennett Fulper, redshirt freshman Justin Lewis and sophomore Maurice Hampton played at the two guard spots. The Terps started two freshmen vs. James Madison (9/12) with Fulper starting at left guard and Dill at right tackle, and Pinegar shifting to left tackle due to an injury to Campbell. In all, eight offensive linemen saw action vs. JMU. Sophomore Tyler Bowen saw his first-career action, getting on the field for 13 plays vs. JMU.

Breakout Campaign...
In 12 games last season, running back Da'Rel Scott rushed for 1,133 yards on his way to becoming a first team All-ACC selection. His rushing total ranks seventh on the Maryland single-season rushing chart and he became the first Terrapin back to earn a spot on the conference's first team since Chris Downs in 2002.
• In the 2008 Roady's Humanitarian Bowl versus Nevada, Scott rushed for a Maryland post-season record 174 yards, including a 49-yard TD run, despite playing only two quarters.
• Scott finished the 2008 season ranked second in the ACC and 30th in the nation (FBS) in rushing with 94.4 ypg. He also ranked fifth in the ACC and 75th nationally in all-purpose yards with 108.7 per game. He led the team with eight touchdowns.
• After three games this season, Scott is averaging 91.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the ACC and 35th in the nation (FBS).
• Scott posted his sixth career 100-yard rushing game (117) vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19), a mark which ranks tied for fifth on the Maryland career chart.

Mighty Meggett...
RB Davin Meggett was a pleasant surprise last season and has seen extended time at tailback this season. The product of Clinton, Md., rushed for 457 yards in 2008, the most by a Maryland true freshman since Lamont Jordan posted 689 in 1997. In addition, his four rushing touchdowns were the most by a true freshman since Josh Allen scored eight in 2002. As a true freshman, Meggett secured the No. 2 tailback role in the preseason when Morgan Green was hampered with an injury. He provides a good 1-2 punch combined with Da'Rel Scott, and against MTSU (9/19) rushed a team-high 18 times for 51 yards and one TD. Meggett also showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, making a career and game-high six receptions for 63 yards.

Misc. Offensive Notes...
• RB Davin Meggett ranks third on the team with nine receptions, the same number he had last season.
• Of the 20 receptions WR Ronnie Tyler posted last season, 11 came on third down. Against James Madison, Tyler had three catches, one of which was on third down. His most crucial reception, however, came on fourth-and-4 with under 6:00 left in the game and the Terps down by seven. QB Chris Turner found Tyler for a 20-yard gain and the first down, and Maryland scored on the next play to tie the game and send it to overtime.
• Sophomore WR Quentin McCree posted his first career reception in the second quarter of the James Madison game (9/12). He went to haul in four Chris Turner passes for 18 yards.
• TE Tommy Galt (three for 29 yards) and WR Adrian Cannon (five for 30 yards) each posted a career high in receptions vs. Cal (9/5). Cannon matched that with five catches vs. James Madison (9/12).
• Cory Jackson has appeared in 41 career games, most on the team.

Revamped Secondary...
The Maryland secondary looked to be the strength of the defense entering the season, though recent injuries have taken a toll. The Terps lost starters Kevin Barnes and Jeff Allen from the 2008 squad, but they returned six players, including four seniors, who saw plenty of action last season. CB Anthony Wiseman and FS Terrell Skinner were returning starters, but Nolan Carroll, Kenny Tate, Jamari McCollough and Antwine Perez each played a number of snaps in 2008. Carroll, Skinner and Wiseman combined to play in 96 career games entering 2009, while McCollough, Perez and Tate played in all 13 games last season. However, Carroll was lost for the season (broken tibia) in the James Madison game (9/12) and McCollough has missed the last two games. Tate was one of the standouts of preseason camp, making plays daily in either practices or scrimmages. Cameron Chism made his first career start against Middle Tennessee State (9/19) and came up big, making two interceptions and finishing the game with a team-high 12 tackles. Trenton Hughes and Richard Taylor are the top backups at cornerback. Hughes played sparingly last season, but was in on a career-high 31 plays vs. MTSU. Taylor is a sixth-year senior who has 24 games of playing experience. He gained a year of eligibility after suffering through two injury-plagued seasons and has played on special teams this season.

Youth Served at Linebacker...
With the loss of Dave Philistin, Moise Fokou, Chase Bullock and Rick Costa, the Terps will have to replace a ton of experience at linebacker. That group combined to play in 144 games, including 54 starts. During spring practice, the Terps had just one linebacker - Adrian Moten - who has played in a game at that position. With Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler missing the spring, the LB two-deep featured three freshmen (Demetrius Hartsfield, Darin Drakeford and Avery Murray), junior Drew Gloster, who moved from tight end, and special teams performer Hakeem Sule. Moten has played in 26 career games, most among the linebacking corps. Despite the youth, the linebackers may prove to be a strength of the defense. Drakeford and Murray are true freshmen who arrived in January and have found their way into the two-deep. Gloster looks like a capable backup for Wujciak, and Pooler has seen action behind Hartsfield, who was one of most impressive defenders in the preseason. Wujciak, Moten and Hartsfield ranked 1-2-3 on the team in tackles.

Misc. Defensive Notes...
• Maryland totaled just 6.0 TFL's and 2.0 sacks in its first two games, but against MTSU, the defense totaled 10.0 TFLss for 53 yards, along with 4.0 sacks for 45 yards.
• Sophomore Kenny Tate earned his first career start vs. James Madison (9/12), opening the game at strong safety for an injured Jamari McCollough. Tate logged career highs in tackles (7) and solo stops (4)in the game.
• FS Antwine Perez registered a career-high eight tackles, including a career-best seven solo stops, vs. Cal (9/5).
• Last season the Terps averaged 3.8 pass breakups per game, and were led by cornerback Anthony Wiseman's 10 PBUs. Against Cal, Wiseman reached nearly half that total, recording a career-best four PBUs in the game as Maryland had six as a team.

Kicking Game...
With the departure of two-year starter Obi Egekeze, the place-kicking job was fairly wide open entering the preseason. True freshman Nick Ferrara edged out redshirt freshman Mike Barbour to win the starting place-kicking duties days before the season opener against California. Ferrara, who also handles kickoff duties, went 2-for-2 in his debut, hitting from 26 and 42 yards. Against James Madison, Ferrara stood tall in a pressure-packed moment, hitting the game-winning field goal in OT. Ferrara was put in simulated pressure situations throughout fall camp, and that experience was likely a factor in his calmness when stepping on the field to attempt his first game-winning kick. The two kickers went back and forth during the preseason, with Barbour nearly locking up the job early in the second scrimmage before missing his final three attempts in a 4-for-7 day. Ferrara followed that up by hitting all three attempts (45, 48, 48) in the final scrimmage of the preseason. However, Barbour came back and nailed both of his attempts. In fact, they were his two longest field goals of the preseason, both coming from 46 yards out. Barbour was good on 13 of his 20 attempts in the preseason, while Ferrara went 6-for-6. Barbour and Ferrara both hail from St. Anthony's High School in New York.

Booming Baltz...
As a sophomore last season, Travis Baltz averaged 41.1 yards per punt, which ranked first in the ACC and 43rd nationally (FBS). His hang time helped the Terps rank sixth in the country in punt return yardage defense (4.5. ypr). Baltz was one of just nine players named to the watch list for the 2009 Ray Guy Award, which honors the nation's top punter. He was a consensus preseason all-conference choice and a second-team preseason All-America choice.
• Baltz earned first-team All-ACC honors for the 2008 season, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons a Maryland punter has garnered all-conference honors.
• Baltz averaged just 35.5 yards on six punts in the season opener, but his hang time did not allow Syd'Quan Thompson, one of the top returners in country last season, to return a punt.
• Facing another dangerous returner in James Madison's preseason All-American (FCS) Scotty McGee, Baltz punted seven times for an average of 42.1 yards per punt. More importantly, he allowed McGee only two returns for a total of 18 yards. Of his seven kicks, two were fair caught, two were downed, and one went into the end zone for a touchback. Additionally, two of his punts were inside the 20-yard line.

Misc. Special Teams Notes...
• In the season opener vs. Cal (9/5), Nick Ferrara became the first Maryland freshman since Nick Novak (20-yarder vs. Florida, 1/2/02) to hit a field goal. Ferrara was also the first true freshman since Brian Kopka (39-yard FG at Georgia Tech, 11/22/97) to nail a field-goal attempt.
• Maryland has blocked a kick in each of its last two games. DL Deege Galt blocked a field goal against James Madison (9/12) and A.J. Francis blocked a PAT vs. Middle Tennessee State (9/19).

Jersey Ties...
The Terps have nine players on their roster from the state of New Jersey - RB Dan Bonato, OL Phil Costa, LB Ryan Donohue, TE Matt Furstenburg, WR Tony Logan, DB Antwine Perez, LB Ben Pooler, DB Mike Salvatico and LB Alex Wujciak. There are also seven more from the state of New York - PK Mike Barbour, OL Josh Cary, PK Nick Ferrara, OL Andrew Gonnella, RB Paul Lariviere, DL Joe Vellano, TE Lansford Watson.

All-Purpose Performer...
After setting the ACC record for kickoff return yardage in a season (1,089) last year, Torrey Smith has emerged as one of the most explosive playmakers in the country. Through three games, Smith is averaging 249.0 all-purpose yards per game, which comfortably ranks first in the nation (FBS). C.J. Spiller of Clemson ranks second with an average of 210.0 yards per game.
• Smith's explosive ability as a kick returner helped make him a consensus preseason All-ACC selection. Against James Madison (9/12), Smith proved the voters right by returning a kick 81 yards for a TD in the first quarter, the second kick return for a TD in his career (12/30/08 vs. Nevada), and totaled 127 yards on kick returns for the evening. Smtih is averaging 23.5 yards per return, which ranks sixth in the ACC.
• Smith is the Terps' leading receiver with 14 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns on the season. Against MTSU (9/19), he had a career high 165 yards receiving on five receptions, including a 64-yard TD catch. He has also rushed the ball five times for 51 yards.
• Against MTSU, Smith set a career-high with 287 all-purpose yards (165 receiving, 109 KOR, 13 rushing). He also totaled 229 total yards against James Madison and 232 against California.
• Smith also serves as a "gunner" on the coverage team.

Rutgers At-A-Glance...
• Rutgers' biggest question mark entering the season was was deciding on a replacement for QB Mike Teel, who graduated as the school's all-time passing leader. True freshman Tom Savage has emerged as the starter, and has been efficient through three games (34-64, 543 yards, 3 TD's, 0 INT's).
• The Scarlet Knights also use senior QB Jabu Lovelace in a package specifically designed for him.
• Rutgers is led at WR by senior Tim Brown and true freshman Mohamed Sanu. Brown is tied for eighth in school history with 12 career TD's, and through three games this season has racked up 349 yards on 14 receptions. Against Cincinnati, Sanu's first career game, he caught 10 passes for 101 yards.
• Left tackle Anthony Davis was named a preseason All-American by Athlon, and is part of an offensive line unit that returned all five starters from 2008.
• Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks lead the rushing attack for the Scarlet Knights, with each having a 100-yard rushing game this season. Against FIU, Martinek rushed for 121 yards, and against Howard, Brooks rushed for 124 yards and three TD's.
• After giving up 47 points in the season opener against Cincinnati, the Rutgers defense has clamped down on its opponents. In two games they have given up just 22 points and totaled 15 TFL's and seven sacks, as well as come up with six takeaways.

By The Numbers...

1...Torrey Smith ranks first in the nation in all-purpose yards per game with an average of 249.0.

3...Number of punters (Brooks Barnard, Adam Podlesh and Travis Baltz) the Terps have employed in the last nine years.

4...Chris Turner ranks fourth on Maryland's career passing yards chart with 5,165 yards.

4...Number of seniors (Chris Turner, Phil Costa, Cory Jackson and Tommy Galt) on the offensive depth chart.

6...The Terps have had an All-ACC punter in six of the last seven seasons (Travis Baltz - 2008; Adam Podlesh - 2003-06; Brooks Barnard - 2002)

9...Number of 2008 postseason participants the Terps will face in the fall. Cal, James Madison, Rutgers, Clemson, Wake Forest, NC State, Virginia Tech, Florida State and BC all played in the postseason.

14...Number of seniors on this year's squad. Last season Maryland had 30 seniors, which was the most during the Ralph Friedgen era.

14...The Terps have placed a league-best 14 representatives on the Academic All-ACC team over the last two years. Clemson ranks second with 10, while Boston College, Duke and Georgia Tech have eight apiece.

26...The Terps' offensive line entered the season with a combined 26 career starts (Phil Costa - 18; Bruce Campbell - 8).

27...The Terps currently have 27 former players on NFL rosters, including six from last season's team.

58...Among the 85 scholarship players, 58 of them have at least three years of eligibility remaining.

110...Four of Maryland's offensive linemen who departed (Edwin Williams, Jaimie Thomas, Scott Burley and Dane Randolph) combined to start 110 games in their careers.

114...The Terps have not had a punt blocked since Nov. 13, 1999 (Florida State), a stretch of 114 games, which is the longest active streak in the nation.

287...Torrey Smith set a career-high in all-purpose yards against Middle Tennessee State with 165 receiving yards, 109 kickoff return yards and 13 rushing yards.