Terps Travel to Chicago for Big Ten Media Day
7/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
CHICAGO – Head coach Randy Edsall, seniors Brad Craddock and Andrew Zeller and junior William Likely opened the Maryland football team's second season in the Big Ten conference by gracing the stage at Big Ten Media Day in Chicago Thursday.
Edsall and his student-athletes answered a wide variety of questions throughout the day, ranging from the team's expectations for the season to their favorite class at school.
The all-american candidate Likely selected his sign language class at Maryland, as he proceeded to “sign” his name for the Big Ten Network cameras and follow with a touchdown sign. Likely hopes to see the touchdown sign much more in 2015 after scoring four last season (2 INT, 1 KR, 1 PR).
Edsall looks forward to the continued to the development of Likely this season as a vocal leader and cornerback despite his stature: “He might be 5-8, but he plays like he's 6-4.”
The Terrapins were most often asked about their impressions of the Big Ten Conference after their first year in the new league.
“Going into the Big Ten last year, we had never played the majority of the teams so it was a little different going into all these new atmospheres and not knowing what to expect,” Zeller said. “So this year we have experience playing all these teams and we will be well-prepared for the task at hand.”
The reigning Lou Groza Award winner Craddock was the lone specialist in attendance among the 14 teams, and received a strong reception from media for his accomplishments in 2014.
“I think we'll do pretty well as a team this year and surprise some people,” Craddock said. “The team realizes what it takes to win games in this conference, but I'm really happy with how we are looking.”
Edsall spoke very highly of Craddock's leadership during his press conference, attributing much of the team's success to the placekicker.
“In 17 years as head coach, I've never had the leadership that I've had right now and it's because of Brad Craddock,” Edsall said.
The 2015 Big Ten Media Day concludes tomorrow with a luncheon amongst the players and head coaches from all 14 schools, before Edsall and the players return to College Park.
