A Night To Remember For Anthony Pecorella And Colton Spangler

With their teammates jumping up and down in celebration behind them, punters Colton Spangler and Anthony Pecorella shared a big hug on the sidelines of M&T Bank Stadium, both sporting massive smiles. 

Just moments before their embrace, coach Michael Locksley announced in front of the entire team and the reported 64,000 fans in Baltimore that Spangler and Pecorella were awarded full scholarships. 

"It's a dream come true," Pecorella said afterward. 

"It just shows how hard work always pays off," Spangler added.

The duo, who room together during fall camp, have shared punting duties since they arrived as freshmen walk-ons in 2019. Spangler appeared in all 30 games played during that span, and Pecorella has punted in all but two. The pair will serve as co-punters in the upcoming season. 

"We've been battling, and this competition has only made both of us better," Spangler said. "From day one, we were sharing reps and I knew both of us always wanted to get ahead of each other, but it just brought out a competitive edge in both of us."

While the two have been competing daily for the past few years, they also celebrate each other's wins. 

And few wins come close to as big as the one they experienced last night. 

"We've been working our asses off together the last four years," Pecorella said. "There's no one more deserving than either of us."

Last year, Spangler set the highest single-season punting average in program history with 45.52 yards per punt. The Pasadena, Maryland native capped off his record-setting season with a two-punt, 102-yard performance, including one 59-yard punt, in the Terps' New Era Pinstripe Bowl victory.

Spangler will look to build off that success this season, only now as a scholarship player. 

"It was just a surreal experience," Spangler said of the announcement. "Getting it in the stadium where I grew up going to all the games, cheering for my hometown team; it was just awesome."

Pecorella is a 2021 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Honoree and two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. His 42.4 yards per punt are good for third overall in program history. Last season, Pecorella pinned 11 punts inside the 20 yard-line and booted 10 over 50 yards with a long of 56. 

"I'm just very happy and very thankful," he said. "Thank you Coach Locks. Thank you Maryland. I'm very, very blessed and thankful." 

Spangler and Pecorella say the scholarship won't change their daily approach. However, they're also going to celebrate the added benefits. 

"I think it's still going to be the same mindset, but it'll be nice to get that check in the mail every month," Pecorella said.

The night was even more special for both guys because they got to experience it with all their teammates. 

The entire team was in attendance for the Ravens' preseason matchup with the Titans, and all the players were on the sidelines when Locksley made the scholarship announcement. As soon as Locksley announced the names, revealing Spangler's scholarship first and then Pecorella a few seconds later, all the guys mobbed both punters in celebration. 

"It was just like winning another game," Spangler said. "I feel like I always have my biggest wins around my brothers, so it's just an awesome experience to have with them."

Perhaps most exciting for Spangler and Pecorella is the chance to share and celebrate the news with their families, who have dedicated so much time and money for them to chase their football dreams. The ability to ease the financial burden of college for their respective families is not one that either takes lightly. 

"There were constant hours of them driving me everywhere to get me the right help and everything that I needed to practice my craft," Spangler said. "I can't be thankful enough for this opportunity I was given to help my family out." 

Pecorella said he called his family immediately after exiting the field to share the moment with them, with emotions of shock, excitement, and joy running high for all. 

"I can't even describe it," Pecorella said. "I've been waiting to make that phone call my whole life."