Terps Make Final Prep For FIU
9/23/2010 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 23, 2010
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland held a 90-minute workout on Thursday in Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium, its last football practice before a key game with FIU.
The Terps (2-1) and Panthers (0-2), who have played just twice previously, square off at noon Saturday in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPNU. Maryland has won both meetings in the series.
Coming off a tough loss last Saturday to No. 21 West Virginia, a game in which the Terps mounted a late rally that fell short, Friedgen spoke of the importance in getting back on the winning track.
"This is a very, very important game on our schedule," said Friedgen. "It is very important for us to re-establish our momentum and really focus on whatever we need to do to win this football game."
Despite its 0-2 record, FIU has taken leads into the fourth quarter against Rutgers and Texas A&M. The Panthers enter the game ranked ninth nationally in tackles for loss, 23rd in turnover margin (+2) and 28th in total defense.
"FIU has a very good defense. It is a defense which has great speed, which concerns me," said Friedgen. "They bring a lot of pressure."
The Terps, though, have had success running and throwing the football this season. Jamarr Robinson is coming off the most efficient game of his career, having thrown for a career-high 227 yards and two touchdowns against the Mountaineers.
Danny O'Brien threw three touchdowns against Morgan State and backs up Robinson.
And while Maryland struggled to run the ball against West Virginia, it had averaged 241 yards per game on the ground through the first two contests. Davin Meggett and Da'Rel Scott, who combined are averaging 6.2 yards per rush, lead the ground attack.
Against FIU, the Terps will be using a different combination of starters along the offensive line after having the same unit for the first three games.
Left tackle Justin Gilbert was lost for the season with a torn ACL, causing Friedgen to shift R.J. Dill from his right tackle position to the left side, while inserting redshirt freshman Pete DeSouza at right tackle. DeSouza, who saw significant action against Morgan State and West Virginia, impressed Friedgen.
"Pete's had a very good week of practice. He got his feet wet in the last two games he's played. I'm hoping the offensive line comes out and plays well this week," said Friedgen. "I think they've practiced very hard. I think they've had a very good week of practice. Now what I'd like to see them do is come out and have some success, especially running the football."
Friedgen announced that linebacker Alex Wujciak and wide receivers Torrey Smith and LaQuan Williams will serve as captains for Saturday's game. He also named quarterback Tyler Smith as the offensive scout team player of the week and defensive lineman Andre Monroe as the defensive scout team player of the week.
Defensive lineman Isaiah Ross, a Greenbelt, Md., native, will carry the Maryland flag onto the field Saturday and defensive lineman Joe Vellano will bring the American flag.
Kickoff for Saturday's game is set for 12:01 p.m. EDT, with the game to be televised live on ESPNU and broadcast on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network.
Tickets for the game are available through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office by calling 1-800-462-TERP.
Terp Notes:
Terps-Horns to Play at FedExField: Maryland and Texas announced on Wednesday that the teams would meet on the football field in 2017 and 2018. Maryland will travel to Austin, Texas, on Sept. 2, 2017 for a game with the Longhorns. Texas will make the return trip to Maryland on Sept. 1, 2018 with that game taking place at FedExField, home of the Washington Redskins. The Redskins announced Thursday that the Maryland-Texas game in 2018 and the Brigham Young-West Virginia tilt on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 will be held at FedExField. That venue will be home to a number of college games in the coming seasons. The Terps are already scheduled to face Notre Dame there on Nov. 12, 2011. Other games include Penn State vs. Indiana on Nov. 20, 2010; the 112th Army-Navy Game on Dec. 10, 2011; and Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati in 2012.
Terp Tidbits: Travis Baltz, who is a 4-for-4 on field goal attempts with two 47-yarders, will continue to handle punting and place-kicking duties. However, Friedgen said that Nick Ferrara, who has returned from injury and is handling kickoffs, could be used for a long field goal ... with Darin Drakeford out of Saturday's matchup due to a shoulder injury, junior Nick Peterson will serve as the backup to Adrian Moten at the Sam linebacker position. The transfer from Navy has been solid for the Terps this season, seeing most of his time on special teams.
Terps to Air on WLIF in Baltimore: Saturday's game will be carried on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, which includes flagships WJZ-FM 105.7 and ESPN 1300 AM in Baltimore, as well as ESPN 980 in Washington, D.C. However, due to a conflict with the Baltimore Orioles-Toronto Blue Jays baseball game (1 p.m.), the Maryland-FIU game broadcast in Baltimore can be heard live on WLIF-FM 101.9 and WJZ-AM 1300. WJZ-FM 105.7 will not be carrying the Terps game, but will air the Toyota Tailgate Show which begins at 10:30 a.m
