Sept. 6, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, MD. -
Postgame notes following Maryland's 32-24 win over Miami in the 2011 season opener.
Kicking Off: With the win, Maryland is 9-8 all-time against Miami, and the Terps are 3-0 against the Hurricanes at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium...This marks the first time the Terps have faced Miami to open a season...The Terps have won seven of their last eight season openers and are 73-44-2 all-time.
Tough Ticket: Tonight's attendance was 52,875...It is the seventh largest crowd in Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium history...It is the largest crowd since 9/13/07 against West Virginia (53,107).
First Impression: Maryland scored on their first possession of the season...Quarterback Danny O'Brien capped the 79-yard scoring drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Tyler. O'Brien completed six of his seven passes for 72 yards on the drive.
Moving Up: Danny O'Brien recorded his third career 300-yard passing game which is tied for fifth in school history...O'Brien moved into 16th place on the Maryland career passing yards list with 2,786 yards...With the first quarter touchdown pass, O'Brien has 23 career touchdown passes which is tied for eighth in school history...O'Brien had 385 yards of offense on the night (348 passing, 37 rushing), the third-highest national total in the opening weekend of college football.
Pick Six: Cameron Chism's interception late in the fourth quarter secured the win for the Terps. It was Chism's fifth interception of his career and the first returned for a touchdown...It was the first time the Terps returned an interception for a touchdown since Alex Wujciak on 11/06/10 also against Miami. After a 41-game drought without scoring defensively, the Terps have registered eight defensive scores in the last 17 games.
Early Playing Time: True freshmen Keith Bowers, Tyler Cierski and Justus Pickett and Alex Twine all saw playing time for the Terps. Pickett was the first true freshman to play at tailback since Davin Meggett in 2008. Cierski was the first fullback to play since Cory Jackson in 2006.
Offensive Assault: The Terps racked up 499 yards of total offense, the most since Nov. 12, 2005 when they had 524 at North Carolina. O'Brien went 31 of 44 for 348 yards. Maryland also had 151 yards rushing, led by Davin Meggett's 92.
Two Step: Joe Vellano scooped up two fumbles in the first half, the second of which resulted in a 30-yard touchdown return, the first touchdown of Vellano's career...The fumble return for a touchdown was the Terps' first since Jared Harrell on 11/14/09 against Virginia Tech.
Career Highs: Kevin Dorsey and Quintin McCree established career highs in receptions and Dorsey set a new career mark in receiving yards...Dorsey finished with eight receptions for 124 yards, and McCree hauled in seven catches...Nick Ferrara's four field goals set a career high... His previous mark was three set against Virginia (11/13/10)...It marks the first time the Terps have kicked four field goals in a single game since Obi Egekeze on 10/18/08 against Wake Forest...Darin Drakeford finished with 14 tackles, besting a previous career high of five against Virginia (11/13/10).
