This is the final installation of Postcards From Charlotte. During the entirety of the Terps' stay in Charlotte, umterps.com has provided daily updates on the team's journey ahead of the Duke's Mayo Bowl against NC State at noon on Friday, Dec. 30.
The Maryland football team had an exciting final full day in Charlotte leading into the game against NC State tomorrow.
Following a shopping spree at Belk's last night where the guys got to pick out different clothes and accessories, select players and coach
Michael Locksley attended a media availability at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Jakorian Bennett,
Beau Brade, DJ Glaze,
Roman Hemby and
Taulia Tagovailoa all spoke with the media in attendance, discussing everything from the team's time in Charlotte to the keys to the game tomorrow against NC State.
A major theme for both the players and Locksley has been how the game serves as the start of the 2023 campaign in many ways, so there's an added importance in performing well in all facets.
"This is basically the start of our 2023 season so we want to come out and execute," Glaze said. "This sets the tone for next season and we're excited about that. To be able to set the tone well and to also send the seniors off that are leaving, that'll be huge."
Gallery: (12-29-2022) Duke's Mayo Bowl: Bank of America Tour
Going along with that theme, the chance for younger players to make the most of their bowl game opportunity and to make a name for themselves on a big stage was another big talking point.
"It's kind of that passing of the torch from the 2022 season to the 23 season," Locksley said. "You see some veteran players not playing and you see some younger players now have more meaningful roles. For me, I'm excited to see the young guys and how they will go out and play with the opportunities they'll have. We definitely like to look at it as a precursor to what next season is all about for us."
Few know that feeling better than Hemby who exploded onto the scene with a career day in last year's Pinstripe Bowl victory. Now as a proven star, the redshirt freshman running back is looking forward to seeing this year's young guys come up with big plays.
"We got a lot of young guys stepping up and playing for it, so it will be fun to see them run around a little bit and to see them show what they can do," Hemby said.
Locksley pointed to several young guys who stood out in the past few weeks of practice, including wideouts
Octavian Smith Jr. and Leon Haughton Jr and defensive backs
Corey Coley Jr. and
Lavain Scruggs. Above all, however, he commended wide receiver
Shaleak Knotts and the recent work he has put in.
"I don't think anyone on our team has had a better three weeks of practice than
Shaleak Knotts," Locksley said.
For the whole team, the upcoming game carries a lot of importance in terms of continuing to push the program forward.
"I think coming out with a win to end our season is everything for us," Tagovailoa said. "We've been working really hard these past few weeks to prepare. We're going against a really good team, a ranked team, so getting this win would be huge and it would give us a lot of momentum and confidence to go to the next season."
"It'll mean a lot if we can get to those eight wins," Hemby added. "Last year we were at seven so this would be a step up and I feel like that's the way our program is working with Coach Locksley at the head. We just keep taking steps in the right direction. Soon we'll be talking Big Ten Championships."
Apart from the football aspect of the week, the guys were also able to share what their time off the field in Charlotte has meant to them.
As a fifth-year senior playing in his last game as a Terp tomorrow, Bennett offered some perspective on what being able to spend a final week with his teammates has meant to him.
"I definitely treasure it," Bennett said. "I'm never going to get a time like this with this group of guys ever again. Just being with these guys for the last time and continuing to build that bond with them, has been great. I appreciate them boys for just being with me this whole time and now we have to finish with a bang.
I wanted to finish with them," he added. "I felt like I owed it to them. We've been at it for 12 strong weeks and now we get to finish in Week 13 with the bowl game."
Similarly, Charlotte native DJ Glaze discussed what it has meant to him to be in his hometown again with his teammates.
"It's been fun going around to all the different events set up by the bowl. I've been able to show some of the guys different places I went to as a kid which has definitely been fun and special for me."
After the availability wrapped up, the entire team went back to Charlotte Christian School for a walk-through. They then made their way to Bank of America Stadium to walk across the field for the first time and take a team picture in the stands–marking the final bowl-sponsored activity for the team before the game.
Now, the Terps turn their full attention to beating the Wolfpack and finishing an already successful season with eight wins.
"We know that we're here for one reason and that's to win this game," Brade said. "All the events are really nice additions, but our focus is on winning this game and on playing to our standard."
"Bowl games are meant to be a fun week, but ultimately we know that we have a game Friday and we have to go compete," Glaze added. "We came here to win and we've been preparing for it this whole time. We know it's time to go handle business now."
