Aug. 24, 1997
Terps' Barton and Ogbogu Named Pre-Season All-Americans
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- University of Maryland inside linebacker Eric Barton and defensive end Eric Ogbogu have been named pre-season honorable mention All-Americans by College Sports News Daily. Barton and Ogbogu are among six returning defensive starters entering the 1997 season from a unit which finished 29th in the nation in total defense last season.
Barton (Alexandria/Thomas Edison) became only the second sophomore in school history to lead the Terps in tackles with 106 last season. The junior will serve as a team leader in defense for first-year head coach Ron Vanderlinden as Maryland plays host to Ohio University in its season opener on September 6 in Byrd Stadium.
Ogbogu (Irvington, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) led the team in sacks, seven, and tackles minus yardage, 15, last season. The two-time Honorable Mention All-ACC selection needs only five sacks during his senior season to crack the school's top-five list for career sacks.
Maryland opens its season on September 6 versus Ohio and will play six game at home for the first time since 1992. The schedule includes five opponents which play in bowls games last season.
