Terps Open Season Monday vs. Miami
8/31/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
LIKE! Maryland Football on Facebook
LIKE! Maryland Athletics on Facebook
Monday, Sept. 5
Maryland (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
vs.
Miami (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
Kickoff: 8 p.m. EDT
Location: College Park, Md.
Stadium: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000).
Gameday Information
• Directions to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium• Parking
• Terp Town (Opens at 5 p.m.)
• Gameday Quick Facts (Tickets, Parking, Metro, etc.)
• Tailgating Tips
• Gameday Central | Follow on Twitter | Live Gameday Blog
Tickets...
A limited number of tickets are available for the game. Fans may call 1-800-IM-A-TERP from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or click here. The Comcast ticket office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also be open Labor Day from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Digital Ticketing...
Maryland Athletics will be introducing digital ticketing this season at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium. This system will provide fans greater convenience and security by scanning bar-coded tickets. With the new system in place, Maryland Athletics requests that fans arrive early to the gates for the first few home games. Arriving early will ensure all fans quick access to their seats by avoiding the last-minute rush to the gates.
Metro Rail...
Fans who make the trip to the stadium via the College Park Metro Station are advised that the entire rail system will be running on a holiday schedule, with the last train leaving the College Park station at 11:30 p.m. Announcements will be made inside the stadium during the game to remind fans of the final departure.
Broadcast Information
TV: ESPN - Sean McDonough (pbp), Matt Millen (color) and Heather Cox (sidelines) will call the action. ESPN 3D will also show the game with Joe Tessitore (pbp), Tim Brown (color) and Ray Bentley (sidelines) on the call. In addition, the broadcast can be seen on ESPN3. ESPN's College Football Live Show with Rece Davis, Mark May and Lou Holtz will also air from inside the stadium. The show will air at 3 p.m. with another one at 7 p.m. leading up to kickoff.Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network - Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Jonathan Claiborne (color), Tim Strachan (color) and Dave Preston (sidelines) have the call. The Toyota Tailgate Show with Gary Stein begins at 7 p.m. Click here to listen on-line through Terps TV. The game can also be heard on XM Sirius Channel 91. The Terrapin Sports Radio Network (14 affiliates): WJZ-FM 105.7 - Baltimore (Flagship); WJZ-AM 1300 - Baltimore (Flagship); ESPN980-AM - Washington D.C.; WWXX-FM 94.3 - Buckland, Va.; 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-AM 1230 - Midland; WMSG-AM 1050 - Oakland; WWXT-FM 92.7 - Prince Frederick, Md.; WTGM-AM 960 - Salisbury. ESPN Radio (national) - Bill Rosinski (pbp), David Norrie (color) and Joe Schad (sidelines).
Game Notes
First-and-10...
• The University of Maryland, under the direction of first-year head coach Randy Edsall, opens football season No. 119 Monday when it plays host to the Miami Hurricanes, who also have a new coach (Al Golden), for a Labor Day Showdown (8:01 p.m. kickoff). Neither team is ranked, though both squads received votes in the preseason (Miami - AP and USA Today; Maryland - AP).
• The Terrapins hope the return of a number of key performers from last season will help them battle for the ACC Atlantic Division crown and reach postseason play for the eighth time in the last 11 years. Maryland returns 41 letterwinners, including 12 offensive and defensive starters, from last season's 9-4 squad that won the Military Bowl. The Terps also have eight players on the roster who earned either 2010 postseason recognition or preseason accolades this year.
• Quarterback Danny O'Brien, the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year, and three linemen headline the five starters back on an offense which ranked 29th in the FBS in scoring (32.2 ppg) and tied for fifth nationally in fewest turnovers (15) in 2010. Last season, O'Brien posted the sixth-highest passing yardage total (2,438) for a freshman in league history and tossed 22 TDs, second most in school history for a single season. Davin Meggett, a Doak Walker Award candidate who posted a team-high 720 rushing yards in 2010, is ready to assume the No. 1 tailback role after splitting time with Da'Rel Scott the last three seasons. Matt Furstenberg, a sure-handed junior, is back to man the tight-end position, but the Terps will have to replace their top two wideouts in 2010 first team All-ACC pick Torrey Smith and Adrian Cannon. Seniors Quintin McCree and Ronnie Tyler, and juniors Kevin Dorsey and Kerry Boykins are atop the depth chart at wide receiver and all played extensively last season. McCree (16) and Dorsey (15) ranked third and fourth on the team, respectively, in receptions. Tyler has 61 career catches which ranks first on the current roster.
• Senior Kenny Tate along with juniors Joe Vellano and Demetrius Hartsfield highlight the seven starters back on a defense that scored four times (tied for sixth in the FBS) and ranked 38th nationally in points allowed (22.2 ppg) last season. Tate (100), a 2010 first team All-ACC pick, and Hartsfield (88) are the top two tacklers back for the Terrapins. Tate, who had a league-high four forced fumbles last year and is on the watch list for a number of national awards, moved from safety to outside linebacker in the off-season, while Hartsfield made the move from Will LB to Mike. Vellano was also an all-league pick a year ago, earning second-team honors after posting a team-best 5.0 sacks. He spearheads a defensive line which has just one senior in the two-deep. The Terps also welcome back their starting cornerbacks in seniors Cameron Chism and Trenton Hughes. Chism had 70 tackles and eight pass breakups last season, while Hughes had a team-high nine PBUs. However, redshirt freshman Jeremiah Johnson and sophomore Dexter McDougle also figure into the cornerback rotation as both sit atop the depth chart at the spot opposite Chism and Hughes. Junior Darin Drakeford is ready to step into a primetime role. He served as the No. 4 linebacker last season and will start at the Sam position. Tate's move to outside linebacker was made possible due to the emergence of sophomore Matt Robinson and junior Eric Franklin, a pair of big, physical safeties.
• Maryland's special teams is in a state of transition this season. Senior Tony Logan, a 2010 first team All-ACC selection and record-setting punt returner is back, but the Terps have to replace Travis Baltz, who handled punting and place-kicking chores in 2010, and Smith, the ACC's all-time leader in kickoff return yards. Nick Ferrara, who was a 2009 freshman All-American, is expected to handle both punting and place-kicking to start the season. The junior did an admirable job with both in 2009 when Baltz was unable to punt due to injury. With Smith gone to the NFL, the Terps will turn to a pair of freshmen at kickoff return. Reserve running backs Justus Pickett and Jeremiah Wilson are atop the depth chart heading into the season.
Quick Hitters...
• Maryland is 72-44-2 (.619) all-time in season openers. The Terps have won six of their last seven season openers, including a 17-14 victory over Navy last season on Labor Day in Baltimore.
• Maryland is opening its schedule with a conference opponent for just the second time in the last 17 years. The Terps opened the 2001 season with a 23-7 win over North Carolina. Prior to that, Maryland began four straight seasons (1991-94) with ACC opponents.
• Monday's game marks the 17th all-time meeting between Maryland and Miami, but just their third matchup as members of the ACC. The Terps downed Miami, 14-13, in 2006 and the Hurricanes captured last year's meeting, 26-20.
• The Terps have just 10 seniors (Ronnie Tyler, Andrew Gonnella, Davin Meggett, Quintin McCree, Maurice Hampton, Kenny Tate, Anthony Green, Austin Walker, Cameron Chism and Trenton Hughes) listed among the 46 players on the current offensive and defensive two-deep. Seniors Tim Downs (long snapper) and Tony Logan (punt return) are listed as starters on special teams.
• There are 12 freshmen (four true/eight redshirts) listed on Maryland's 46-man offensive and defensive two deep. Two freshmen - FB Tyler Cierski and CB Jeremiah Johnson - are listed first at their respective positions. In addition, true freshman Nathan Renfro is listed as the No. 2 punter and redshirt freshman Michael Tart is the No. 2 place-kicker.
• Danny O'Brien's passing efficiency rating of 134.5 in 2010 is tops among returning ACC signal-callers. Despite just one season under center he ranks 19th in school history (2,438) in passing yards.
• Tony Logan's career punt-return average of 13.6 yards ranks second in the FBS among returning players.
• Despite starting just six career games, Davin Meggett ranks 20th in school history (1,515) in rushing yards.
• Eight bowl teams from last year appear on the Terps' 2011 schedule: Miami (Hyundai Sun Bowl), West Virginia (Champs Sports Bowl), Georgia Tech (AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl), Clemson (Meineke Car Care Bowl), Boston College (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl), Notre Dame (Champs Sports Bowl), Florida State (Chick-fil-A) and NC State (Champs Sports Bowl).
Home Cooking...
The Terps do not have to leave Maryland to play a game until the second weekend of October and play eight of their 12 regular-season contests in the state. Maryland is playing its opening four games at home for the first time in the modern era (first seven at home in 1911). In addition to the seven games in Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium, the Terps face Notre Dame at FedExField in Landover, Md., on Nov. 12 (a Fighting Irish home game). The Terps went 5-1 at home last season and 6-1 in the state of Maryland (victory over Navy in Baltimore).
Edsall Era Begins...
A new era in Maryland football officially gets underway on Labor Day when the Terps play host to Miami. Head coach Randy Edsall, who transformed the University of Connecticut from a Division I-AA program (now FCS) to Division I-A (currently FBS), took over the reins of the Maryland program on Jan. 2. He was named the Terrapins' 34th head coach after directing the Huskies to two Big East Conference titles and five bowl games, including their first-ever BCS appearance (2011 Fiesta Bowl). Between hiring a staff, recruiting, coaching and meeting supporters Edsall has been on the go. "It's been a hectic, productive seven months," Edsall said as the preseason opened. "To me these are the times you have to put in the hard work and preparation for the season, because you just don't roll out on August 9 ready to play. I feel good about the seven months we've been here. I feel good about where we are as we head into the 2011 season."
Terps Unveil New Uniforms...
Maryland Athletics on Monday, Aug. 22 unveiled its new football uniforms. Head coach Randy Edsall and players were on hand to showcase the new uniforms in a 30-minute fashion show at the Clarice Smith Center complete with a runway and a crowd of approximately 150 spectators. In all, 16 different jersey and helmet combinations were on display. The Terps will have plenty of options to choose from this season with jerseys and pants in red, black, white and gold, along with two helmets. "I know this: the kids are very, very proud of those uniforms," said Edsall. "I told the captains, you're the guys that are going to have to decide what we're wearing because there are too many options for me. The good thing is I think it gives us tremendous opportunities. We might not wear the same uniform all year long. To incorporate all our colors in those uniforms - it's unprecedented really in college football." The Uniforms, which prominently feature "Maryland" on the front, were designed by Under Armour. "What we want within these uniforms is performance and technology that the world has never seen," said UA founder/CEO and University of Maryland alumnus Kevin Plank. "We will have the lightest, the strongest, the most durable uniforms that any collegiate football team will have facing off in the 2011 football season. There is no greater thrill, privilege or honor than having Under Armour be a part of this program and all the Terrapin athletic program. Many, many good things are to come."
Steady Signal-Caller...
Danny O'Brien established himself as one of the top young quarterbacks in the nation last season, and after being named ACC Rookie of the Year and a freshman All-American, the accolades have continued to roll in for the Kernersville, N.C. native. A consensus preseason first team All-ACC selection, he is also on the watch lists for the Davey O'Brien, Manning and Maxwell Awards. The honors aren't surprising considering the success O'Brien had as a freshman:
• Led the Terps to a 7-3 record in 10 starts and tossed 22 touchdowns (third most among FBS freshmen). His 134.5 efficiency rating was the best by a freshman in school history.
• Passed for 2,438 yards which ranks sixth among freshman (single season) in ACC history and 10th in school history.
• Voted ACC Rookie of the Week five times and owns the top five passing performances in terms of yards by a freshman QB in school history.
• Went his first 96 collegiate passes without a pick and ranked second in the FBS among freshmen in TD-to-interception ratio (2.75-to-1), TD percentage (6.53 - 22 TDs in 337 attempts) and interception percentage (2.37 - 8 INTs in 337 attempts).
Defensive "Star"...
Senior Kenny Tate had a breakout season in 2010, earning first team All-ACC honors while racking up 100 tackles, four forced fumbles and three interceptions from his safety position. This year Tate, who coaches estimate was within seven yards of the line of scrimmage in 80 to 85 percent of plays last year, has moved to Star, a hybrid outside linebacker/safety position. Tate has stepped into a leadership role, serving as one of four team captains (also RB Davin Meggett, OL Andrew Gonnella and DL Joe Vellano), and he is on the watch lists for a number of national awards (see list, page 2). Tate ranks first on the team among returnees in career tackles (162) and will be relied upon to ease the loss of linebackers Alex Wujciak and Adrian Moten, a pair that combined for 194 tackles last year.
Special Teams Standout...
Tony Logan last season proved to be a game-changer for Maryland on special teams. An all-league pick a year ago, Logan led the ACC and ranked third nationally with an average of 18.1 yards per punt return, a mark that also ranks third on the ACC all-time single-season list. Logan made 31 returns for 560 yards in 2010, the second-highest yardage total in both school and ACC history, trailing only Steve Suter who had 771 yards in 2002. He was also one of just five players in the FBS who had at least two punt returns for touchdowns - an 85-yarder against FIU and an 84-yarder vs. Duke.
• Logan has two of the top three punt returns in school history, trailing only a 90-yard TD by Dick Nolan in 1953. He also had two games last season with more than 100 punt return yards (135 vs. FIU; 128 vs. Morgan State).
Miami At-A-Glance...
• Head coach Al Golden enters his first season with Miami, taking over a team that went 7-6 (5-3 ACC) last season, including a loss to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl. The Hurricanes return 46 letterwinners, including 15 starters (six on offense, seven on defense, two on special teams).
• Prior to taking over Miami, Golden spent five seasons turning around a Temple program that had just two winnings seasons over the 26 years before he his arrival. Golden went 27-34 with the Owls, including a 9-4 mark in 2009 and a 8-4 record in 2010.
• Senior Jacory Harris and sophomore Stephen Morris entered preseason camp atop the depth chart at quarterback. Harris completed 54.8 percent of his passes a year ago while throwing for 1,793 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Morris saw action in six games as a true freshman, starting the final four regular-season contests. He completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 1,240 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.
• The Hurricanes have to replace lead running back Damien Berry, who rushed for 899 yards on 190 carries (4.7 ypr) and five touchdowns in 2010. Expected to take over the load is sophomore Lamar Miller, who as a freshman rushed for 646 yards on 108 carries (6.0 ypr) and a team-best six touchdowns. Miami also possesses an experienced offensive line, with four of five starters back.
• Though top receiver Leonard Hankerson (72 receptions, 1,156 yards, 13 TDs in 2010) is gone, the Hurricanes return a pair of talented wideouts in seniors Travis Benjamin and LaRon Byrd. Benjamin was second on the team with 43 receptions and 743 yards last year, while Byrd ranked third with 41 catches and 441 yards.
• Even with the loss of linebacker Colin McCarthy, who lead the Hurricanes in tackles last season, Miami will return some hard-hitting players in the middle of the field. Senior Sean Spence is back after totaling 111 tackles in 2010, including a team-high 17 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Ramon Buchanan will also return at the linebacker position after racking up 8.0 tackles for loss last season.
• Miami will also be returning some strong talent in the defensive backfield with juniors Ray-Ray Armstrong and Vaughn Telemaque. Armstrong finished third on the team in tackles (79) in 2010. Telemaque finished fourth on the team in tackles with 58 including 1 for loss. The junior had a team-high three fumble recoveries and also had a team-high tying three interceptions.
• The Hurricanes will be without defensive linemen Allen Bailey (45 tackles, 11 for loss, seven sacks) this year, but are returning senior Micanor Regis and juniors Olivier Vernon, Marcus Forston, and Adewale Ojomo. Vernon is the top returning sack producer (six in 2010).
Maryland-Miami Series History...
• The series, which dates back to 1948, is tied at 8-all.
• The two teams have played each other just twice since 1987.
• Thirteen of the 16 games have be
en played in Miami, with the Hurricanes winning seven of those contests.
• Just two games in the series (1982, 2006) have been played in College Park. The teams also played in Baltimore in 1985. The Hurricanes have won three of the four meetings since Maryland's historic come-from-behind win in 1984.
• The 1984 meeting between the teams is the famous comeback game, in which Maryland recovered from a 31-0 halftime deficit to gain a 42-40 victory. The Terps engineered what to that point was the best comeback in NCAA Division I-A history (now tied for second). Maryland scored 21 points in each of the third and fourth quarters behind quarterback Frank Reich who later led Buffalo's 1993 playoff overtime comeback over Houston, when the Bills recovered from a 35-3 deficit to win.
