Terps Making Final Preparations for BC
10/27/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 27, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland will try to get back on the winning track Saturday when Boston College visits Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium for an ACC Atlantic Division matchup.
But before the Terps (2-5, 1-3) get to tangle with the Eagles (1-6, 0-4), they have attempted to make corrections in practice after suffering a 41-16 loss last Saturday at the hands of Florida State.
Head coach Randy Edsall indicated on his Thursday media conference call that the team "had a good week" on the practice field. The Terps held their final workout of the week Thursday evening.
The Maryland offense, which has averaged 34.9 points over its last 11 home games, will face a BC defense which is led by a strong linebacking corps, including 2010 first team All-American Luke Kuechly. The junior led the nation in tackles as a sophomore and is again atop the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) chart at 16.6 per game.
"We need to be able to pick up their pressures and be able to execute because they're a team that tries to make you go the long way," Edsall said. "They're very sound and very consistent."
Despite being without all-time leading rusher Montel Harris (out for season), Boston College will try and pound the ball against the Terrapins with its typical strong offensive line.
"The thing we're going to have to be able to do defensively is stop the run game and play action game of Boston College, a ball control game," Edsall said. "We're going to have to stand in there and play good, sound, fundamental football and be physical."
The Terps' injury list (see below), which includes eight players out for the season, seems to grow by the week, but the team is closer to getting two players back.
Junior offensive lineman Justin Gilbert, out of action since last year with a pair of knee surgeries, has recently returned to the field.
"That's what we're anticipating," Edsall said of a possible return against Virginia (Nov. 5). "He has practiced this week."
Gilbert would add additional depth to an offensive line which lost one of its team captains, Andrew Gonnella to a knee injury vs. Georgia Tech on Oct. 8.
"He brings toughness and leadership to the table," Edsall said. "Losing Andrew Gonnella, we lost some leadership there. Now it's time for some of the other guys to stand up and Justin has been a guy who's been helping to fill that void, from a leadership standpoint, which is critical and something that we need."
Junior defensive lineman Justin Anderson, who has not played this season, is listed as doubtful for this week's game.
The Terps will also be without leading receiver Kevin Dorsey for the second straight week and will have either C.J. Brown or Danny O'Brien at quarterback.
Edsall will make the decision on the starter under center just before kickoff.
"It's been great competition," Edsall said. "The guys are competing and that's what we are looking for."
More than one quarterback could even play against the Eagles.
"We could play one guy the whole game or it's possible we can play two based on our evaluation after [Thursday] and [Friday] and in terms of the things we want to get done and also if it can be a factor from what it looks like," Edsall said. "We have a lot of variables going in but again the competition has been very good and very healthy."
Saturday's game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. and tickets are available for as low as $30.
The game will be broadcast on the Regional Sports Network (RSN). The game can also be heard over the Terrapin Sports Radio Network (TSRN) which includes ESPN 980 in Washington, D.C. and 105.7 FM in Baltimore.
Terp Notes:
Tate Surgery Set: Linebacker Kenny Tate was ruled out for the season Sunday. The senior is scheduled to have surgery on Friday and will be out of action for six to nine months. A 2010 All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection, Tate will apply for a medical redshirt and hopes to return to the team in 2012.
Scout Team Players of the Week: Each Thursday during the season Edsall announces the scout team players of the week. This week's honorees are offensive lineman Evan Mulrooney (offense), defensive back Alex Walker (defense) and long snapper Greg Parcher (special teams).
Flag Bearers: Dexter McDougle (American) and Webb Dulin (Maryland) will carry out the flags during Saturday's introductions.
Inside Maryland Football: The seventh edition of Inside Maryland Football will air at 11 a.m. Saturday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The 30-minute coaches show goes behind the-scenes with the team. The first six shows are available on Terps TV Premium. The show airs each Saturday during the regular season until Dec. 3 (there was no show on Sept. 17 due to a bye the previous Saturday).
Injury Report vs. Florida State: Out for the Season: WR Tyrek Cheeseboro, OL Andrew Gonnella, DB Avery Graham, LB Garrett Lederman, DB Matt Robinson, DL Isaiah Ross, TE Dave Stinebaugh, LB Kenny Tate; Out for the Game: WR Kevin Dorsey, OL Justin Gilbert, DB Jeremiah Johnson; Doubtful: DL Justin Anderson; Questionable: WR/PR Tony Logan, DL Andre Monroe; Probable: OL Max Garcia
