University of Maryland Athletics

Previewing The Duke Game....

University of Maryland Terrapins (3-4, 1-3 ACC)
at
Duke University Blue Devils (0-6, 0-3 ACC)
Oct. 26, 1996
Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC
Noon, ET Jefferson Pilot Television

CUMMINGS STILL QUESTIONABLE: There's no change on the status of quarterback Brian Cummings, who suffered a mild concussion last week against Wake Forest. Cummings didn't practice again Wednesday. Duffner said during the Atlantic Coast Conference teleconference that he's still "hopeful" Cummings can play Saturday against Duke.

MORE ON THE CONCUSSION: The concussion came on a late hit, something that has happened to Cummings often this season. Coach Mark Duffner complained to officials during Saturday's win, Cummings lashed out at some Wake Forest defenders and Terrapin players say it's obvious Cummings is a target. "The problem is he's been taking a lot of cheap shots," running back Buddy Rodgers said. "The ref says it's part of the game, it's part of the game. But we look at it on film and you can tell they're taking shots at him." Duffner said he is looking into the possibility of finding equipment to better prevent Cummings from getting concussions. Cummings has also missed time with a separated shoulder.

DUFFNER CONCERNED AT QB: If Cummings can't go, that will once again leave the ball in the hands of redshirt freshman Ken Mastrole, who disappointed Duffner Saturday. Mastrole entered midway through the second quarter leading 31-0 but struggled in going 2-for-11 for 10 yards. "The back-up is a big concern of mine," Duffner said. "I expected more from Kenny. This was a good situation for him and he didn't play the way I would have liked." Duffner said third-string quarterback Keon Russell will also prepare this week in practice. Said Mastrole: "As far as throwing the ball, my timing just wasn't there. I'm young, I make mistakes."

INJURY REPORT: Rodgers is nursing a swollen right leg but is expected to start at fullback with Brian Underwood again at tailback. Safety Andre Hentz has a hip pointer.

MORE TV: Another Terrapin game, another Terrapin game on television. This time it's ABC, which picked up Maryland's Nov. 2 game at Clemson. Kickoff will be at 3:30 p.m. and it raises Maryland's TV game total to seven this season. The breakdown: Jefferson Pilot (three), ESPN2 (two), ESPN (one), ABC (one), plus there's still a chance Maryland's Florida State game could be picked up. Maryland's record so far in TV games: 0-4.

LAST WEEK
Maryland's 589 total yards and 355 rushing yards versus the Demon Deacons last Saturday represent season highs by any ACC team this season. The Terps' 355 yards rushing was their highest under Duffner and the highest total since Maryland posted 406 yards on the ground against Clemson on Nov. 17, 1984. Harold Westley and Buddy Rodgers each had over 100 yards rushing. Also, six different receivers caught a total of 15 passes for 234 yards. Maryland compiled 202 yards in the first quarter alone and 368 yards in the first half.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"It feels great to win and to have that kind of victory like we had today where everything took form. We were able to explode like we had talked about earlier in the week and blow the lid off this thing." - - Maryland Head Coach Mark Duffner after the Terps' 52-0 victory over Wake Forest last Saturday.

NOTES OF THE WEEK
Maryland's 52-point victory versus Wake Forest was the greatest margin of victory versus an ACC opponent in school history and Maryland's largest since 1954.
Last Saturday's shutout of the Demon Deacons was Mark Duffner's first at Maryland and first shutout for the Terps since 1989.
The Terp defense allowed only 189 total yards, a Maryland low since 1982.
Maryland's 355 yards rushing was its highest under Mark Duffner, highest by any ACC school in 1996 and the Terps' highest total since they rushed for 406 yards versus Clemson in 1984.
Maryland's 66 rushing attempts was its highest under Mark Duffner and highest total since 1990.
Geroy Simon needs 69 receiving yards to become only the second Terp in school history to record 2,000 career receiving yards.

GREATEST ACC MARGIN OF VICTORY
Maryland's 52-0 victory over the Demon Deacons was the greatest margin of victory versus an ACC opponent in school history. The previous record was set 22 years ago to the day when the Terps "goose-egged" Wake Forest 47-0 on Oct. 19, 1974.

TERP PAIR OF WESTLEY AND RODGERS CRACK THE CENTURY MARK VERSUS WAKE FOREST
Maryland's season-high of 355 rushing yards versus Wake Forest was helped substantially by the running of true freshman Harold Westley (11 carries, 120 yards) and junior Buddy Rodgers (23 career, 106 yards). It marked the first time since November 17, 1984 that a pair of Maryland running backs had gained 100 or more yards in the same game. Rick Badanjek (217) and Alvin Blount (104 yards) turned the trick versus Virginia as the Terps defeated the Cavaliers, 45-34. The Terps won that game on their way to the 1984 ACC Championship and an appearance in the Sun Bowl.

TWO TERPS OVER 100 YARDS IN THE SAME GAME
True freshman Harold Westley and true junior Buddy Rodgers became only the sixth running back tandem to each gain at least 100 yards rushing in the same game in modern school history (post 1950).

Yards   Players                     Date        Opponent
321 by Rick Badanjek (217) and Alvin Blunt (104)    Nov. 17, 1984   vs. Virginia
274 by Al Thomas (173) and Tom Miller (101)     Oct. 18, 1969   vs. Duke
260 by Rick Badanjek (140) and Willie Joyner (120)  Nov. 19, 1983   vs. N.C. State
256 by Charlie Wysocki (153) and John Nash (103)    Nov. 21, 1981   vs. Virginia
240 by Wayne Wingfield (136) and Tim Whittie (104)  Oct. 27, 1979   vs. Duke
236 by Harold Westley (120) and Buddy Rodgers (106) Oct. 19, 1996   vs. Wake

CROSBY NEARLY COMPLETES THE TRIFECTA
Redshirt freshman Clifton Crosby nearly topped the 100-yard mark with his career best 90-yard rushing performance versus Wake Forest. Crosby was the Terps workhorse in the second half gaining 90 yards on 11 carries and scoring his first career touchdown. He averaged a career high 8.2 yards per carry which nearly vaulted him into the Terps all-time top 10 for average yards per carry in a single game. Entering the game versus Wake Forest, No. 10 on the Terps all-time per carry average list was Steve Atkins who had an 8.4 yards per carry average versus Richmond on September 11, 1976.

THREE TERPS OVER 100 YARDS IN THE SAME GAME
Only once in modern school history have three running backs gained at least 100 yards in the same game. A trio of Terp runners - Ricky Jennings (136 yards), Steve Atkins (126 yards) and Jamie Franklin (105 yards) helped the Terps roll up a school record 582 rushing yards versus Virginia in Nov. 22, 1975. The 582 yards gained by the Terps that afternoon still reigns as the all-time Atlantic Coast Conference single game rushing record.

CUMMINGS PASSES FOR CAREER-HIGH THREE SCORES VERSUS WAKE FOREST
Junior quarterback Brian Cummings passed for a career-high three touchdowns versus Wake Forest. The three touchdowns tied him for the ninth best single game by a Terp quarterback. It marked the first time a Terp quarterback had thrown for three or more touchdowns in a single game since Scott Milanovich found four receivers for scores versus Georgia Tech on October 29, 1994.

THOMAS CONTINUES TO PILE UP TACKLES
Senior Butkus Award candidate Ratcliff Thomas enters the game versus Duke with 397 career tackles. He is currently fourth all-time at Maryland and needs only three tackles to become only the fourth player in school history with 400 or more tackles. After missing the first two games of the 1996 season, Thomas has returned with 50 tackles in five games, an average of 10 per contest. Thomas is looking to become the first player in school history to lead the Terps in tackles over four consecutive seasons. He is currently in second place and trails sophomore linebacker Eric Barton by 13 tackles. Thomas is the only Terp to lead the team in tackles as a sophomore and as a freshman.

THOMAS' TACKLES - YEAR BY YEAR

Year    UT   AT  Total Tackles   Avg./game
1996    29   21       50            10.0
1995    63   40      103             9.4
1994    82   55      137            12.5
1993    77   30      107             9.7
Total   251 146      397            10.4

Rank   Player, Year            Tackles   To Reach
1.     Eric Wilson, 1981-84        481     84
2.     Chuck Faucette, 1983-86     466     69
3.     Mike Jarmolowich, 1989-92   414     17
4      Ratcliff Thomas, 1993-Pres  397

WESTLEY ECLIPSES THE 100 YARD MARK FOR THE FIRST TIME
True freshman Harold Westley gained a career-high 120 yards versus Wake Forest on Saturday. He became the first true freshman to gain at least 100 rushing yards in a game since Mark Mason gained 116 yards versus Virginia on Nov. 17, 1990. Maryland defeated Virginia, 35-30, that afternoon in Charlottesville.

TRUE FRESHMAN OVER THE CENTURY MARK
Running back Harold Westley became only the third true freshman in school history to rush for 100 yards in a single game and came within four yards of tying the all-time single game rushing record for true freshman. Only George Scott, a true freshman who played on Maryland's 1976 Cotton Bowl Team, rushed for more yards, 124, in a single game during his first collegiate season.

Rank   Name, Year  Yards   Date        Opponent
1.  George Scott    124 Nov. 20, 1976   Virginia
2.  Harold Westley  120 Oct. 19, 1996   Wake Forest
3.  Mark Mason  116 Nov. 17, 1990   Virginia

WESTLEY RUNS UP PER CARRY AVERAGE
True freshman Harold Westley averaged a career high and true freshman University of Maryland record 10.9 yards per carry versus Wake Forest. Westley's average marked the fourth best single game per carry average in school history and was the best average since Rick Badanjek averaged 12.7 yards per carry versus Virginia on Nov. 17, 1984.

Rank   Player            Avg    Date            Opponent
1.  Willie Joyner       15.0    Nov. 3, 1984    North Carolina  
2.  Ralph Felton        14.3    Nov. 17, 1951   N.C. State
3.  Rick Badanjek       12.7    Nov. 17, 1984   Virginia
4.  Harold Westley      10.9    Oct. 19, 1996   Wake Forest

CREATING TURNOVERS IN BUNCHES
Maryland is 10th in the country with a + 1.14 turnover margin per game average through seven contests. The Maryland defense generated five turnovers for the first time since Sept. 16, 1995 when the Terps caused seven versus West Virginia. The Terps intercepted Wake's Brian Kuklick three times. Kuklick entered the Maryland game as the ACC's leader in pass efficiency. The Terp offense also allowed no turnovers; Maryland's plus five turnover margin for the game was its highest since Oct. 28, 1989 when the Terps intercepted five Carolina passes and recovered one fumble for a +6 turnover outing.

IN A RUSH
Maryland's 65 rushing attempts was the most in the Duffner era and its highest since Oct. 13, 1990 when the Terps rushed 66 times against Wake Forest. The school record was set in 1958 when the Terps rushed 76 times against Miami on Nov. 14.

SIMON CONTINUES TO CLIMB RECEPTIONS LIST WITH STRONG OUTING VERSUS WAKE FOREST
Senior Biletnikoff Award candidate Geroy Simon caught four passes for 57 yards versus Wake Forest. It marked the third time this season and 20th time during his career that he had caught at least four passes in a single game. He now has 177 career receptions for 1,931 yards. He is only 17 catches shy of becoming the all-time ACC career leader in receptions. Former Terp and current Baltimore Raven Jermaine Lewis holds both the ACC and Maryland records for career receptions with 193.

BILETNIKOFF AWARD CANDIDATE SIMON ON THE ACC AND MARYLAND CAREER RECEPTION LISTS

Rank   Atlantic Coast Conference         Recpts. 
1.  Jermaine Lewis, Maryland, 1992-95     193 
2.  Clarkston Hines, Duke, 1986-89        189 
3.  Ricky Proehl, Wake, 1986-89           188
4.  Geroy Simon, Maryland, 1993-Present   177
Rank University of Maryland      Recpts.
1.  Jermaine Lewis, 1992-95       193
2.  Geroy Simon, 1993-Present     177

BILETNIKOFF AWARD CANDIDATE SIMON ALSO ADDS TO CAREER YARDAGE TOTAL
Senior Biletnikoff Award Candidate Geroy Simon had four catches for 57 yards versus Wake Forest. He now has 1,931 career receiving yards which places him second all-time at the University of Maryland and 20th all-time in ACC history in career receiving yards.

SIMON ON THE MARYLAND CAREER RECEIVING YARDAGE LISTS

Rank   University of Maryland      Yards   Needs
1.  Jermaine Lewis, 1992-95     2,932   1,001
2.  Geroy Simon, 1993-Present   1,931   

SIMON PRESSING 2,000 CAREER RECEIVING YARDS MARK
Senior Biletnikoff Award Candidate Geroy Simon needs only 69 yards to become only the second player in Maryland history and the 18th player in ACC history to gain 2,000 or more career receiving yards. He currently stands in 20th place all-time in ACC history with 1,931 career receiving yards and is needs only four yards to pass Mike Quick of N.C State who accumulated 1,934 career receiving yards from 1978-81.

SIMON ON THE ALL ACC CAREER RECEIVING YARDAGE LISTS

Rank   Atlantic Coast Conference       Yards   Need
1.  Clarkston Hines, Duke, 1986-89      3,318   1,387
2.  Ricky Proehl, Wake Forest, 1986-89  2,949   1,018
3.  Jermaine Lewis, Maryland, 1992-95   2,932   1,001
18. Walter Jones, Duke, 1988-91     1,968   37
19. Mike Quick, N.C. State, 1978-81     1,934   3
20  Geroy Simon, Maryland, 1993-Present 1,931

NINTH SHUTOUT
Maryland's shutout versus Wake Forest was its ninth against the Deacons in the 45-game series. The Terps last shutout Wake 14-0 in 1987. Maryland also shutout the Deacs four consecutive years from 1972 through 1975. The 52-point effort was Maryland's highest ever output against Wake.

SHUTDOWN & SHUTOUT
Maryland's 52-0 shutout versus the Deacons was Mark Duffner's first at Maryland and the Terps' first since they shutout North Carolina 38-0 on Oct. 28, 1989.

CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUTS
Maryland is attempting to pitch two consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1976. That year, the Terps shutout Cincinnati, Clemson and Virginia over three consecutive weeks on their way to an ACC champinship and apperance in the Cotton Bowl.

WESTLEY IS TERPS' LEADING RUSHER
Running back Harold Westley leads the Terps in rushing with 228 yards and a 41.1 yards per game average. Only one true freshman, Steve Atkins in 1975, has ever led the Terps in rushing. Atkins gained a true freshman Maryland record 491 yards in helping the Terps to the 1975 Gator Bowl championship.

COACH ON THE FIELD
Ratcliff Thomas calls the defense in the huddle and adjusts his teammates accordingly after the offense lines up. Under his leadership, linebackers alone have totaled over 1,200 tackles in his four years. In fact, the three linebackers have finished in the top four Maryland tacklers each of his previous three years. Sophomore linebacker Eric Barton currently leads the team in tackles while fellow linebackers Thomas and Kendall Ogle are second and fourth, respectively.

Yr LB Tackles  Team Tackles    LB Percentage
1993    338        972           .35
1994    388       1089           .36
1995    340        997           .34
1996    160        605           .27

AJ AND THE INT
AJ Johnson's interception last weekend gave him three for the season and 12 for his career. He currently sits in sole possession of sixth place on the school's career interception list.

Rank   Name (Years)    Career Int.     Needed to Tie
1.  Tom Brown (60-62)   17  5
2.  Bob Smith (72-74)   15  3
3.  Lendell Jones (81-83)   14  2
4.  Ken Schroy (72-74)  13  1
    Bob Sullivan (63-65)    13  1
6.  AJ Johnson (93-96)  12  

INSIDE THE RED ZONE, FIRST SIX GAMES
Maryland's offense enjoyed another stellar day inside of the 'compete' or 'red zone' versus Wake Forest as it scored points both times it reached the Deacons' 20 yard line. For the season, Maryland's offense has been very productive once it enters the 'red zone' having scored points more than 84 percent of the time. Included in those numbers are 10 touchdowns and one field goal in 13 chances.

Opponent       Times inside 20 TD  FG  % of scores
vs. Northern Illinois       4        3   1   1.00
vs. Alabama Birmingham      4        4   0   1.00
vs. Virginia                1        0   0   0.00
vs. West Virginia           0        0   0   0.00
vs. N.C. State              2        1   0   50.0
vs. North Carolina          0        0   0   0.00
vs. Wake Forest             2        2   0   1.00
                           13       10   1   84.6

INSIDE THE OPPONENTS 50, FIRST SIX GAMES
Maryland's offense has also been very productive once its gets across midfield. In 38 times across the midfield stripe in its first six games, the Terps offense has put points on the board 19 times. The Terps enjoyed a strong day versus Wake Forest as it realized points on seven of 12 trips inside the 50 yards line, five touchdowns and two field goals.

Opponent       Times inside 50 TD  FG  % of scores
vs. Northern Illinois       8        3   1   50.0
vs. Alabama Birmingham     10        5   1   60.0
vs. Virginia                3        0   1   25.0
vs. West Virginia           0        0   0   0.00
vs. N.C. State              3        1   0   33.3
vs. North Carolina          2        0   0   0.00
Wake Forest                12        5   2   58.3
Totals                     38       14   5   50.0

KICKER O'DONNELL ON ANOTHER ROLL
Senior place kicker Joe O'Donnell has kicked 12 consecutive point after touchdowns entering the game versus Duke. After missing his first two of the season, he has not missed since the fourth quarter of Maryland's victory over Northern Illinois on August 31. O'Donnell is no stranger to long point after touchdown streaks as the Terps kicker. During his first season in College Park, 1994, he was successful on 33 consecutive attempts after missing his first of the season versus Duke. As a junior in 1995, he split the uprights 13 consecutive times before missing.

   Att.    Made    .Pct    Long Streak
1994    34       33     97.0         33
1995    18       16     88.8         13
1996    14       12     85.7         12
Totals  66       61     92.4         33

KEEPING O'DONNELL KICKING
Senior place kicker Joe O'Donnell kicked a career-high seven successful point after touchdowns attempts versus Wake Forest. His previous career-high was a perfect six for six afternoon versus Georgia Tech on October 22, 1994. O'Donnell's successful seven point after touchdown attempts marked the most by a Terps kicker since Jess Atkinson also kicked a perfect seven for seven (plus one 50 yard field goal) in a 52-13 victory over Wake Forest on October 16, 1982. The University of Maryland record for most successful point after touchdowns in one game is eight by Mike Sochko versus Virginia on November 22, 1975 and Steve Mike-Meyer versus Duke on November 16, 1974

O'DONNELL KICKING UP HIS HEELS
Senior place-kicker Joe O'Donnell, with a 77.7 percent success rate on his career field goals during his three-year career at Maryland, is the most accurate kicker in school history. He has connected on 21 of 27 attempts during his 22 game career in College Park. He became only the eighth kicker in school history to kick 20 or more fields goals during his career as he split the uprights in the third quarter of Maryland's game versus Virginia on September 7. He ranks eighth on the all-time list of field goals made, 21, while his 25 career attempts rank him 10th all-time.

Rank   Player, Years           FGM FGA  .PCT
 1.  Joe O'Donnell (1994-Present)    21  27  .777
 2.  Dan Plocki (1985-88)            47  63  .746
 3.  Dan DeArmas (1988-91)           32  43  .744
 4.  Jess Atkinson (1981-84)         60  82  .731
 5.  Kambiz Behbahani (1970-71)      12  19  .631
 6.  John Hannigan (1961-62)         22  36  .611
 7.  Mike Sachko (1975-76)           17  28  .607
 8.  Dale Castro (1979-80)           27  39  .692
 9.  Ed Loncar (1976-78)             22  41  .537
10.  Steve Mike-Meyer (1972-74)      37  71  .521

CUMMINGS' FAVORITE RECEIVERS
Junior quarterback Brian Cummings found wide receiver Mancel Johnson four times versus Wake Forest, including a 36 -yard touchdown in the first quarter. Cummings and Johnson have now hooked up for three touchdowns in the last two seasons making Johnson a favorite target of Cummings. In addition to the Cummings to Johnson connection, Cummings has found Geroy Simon twice for scores, Buddy Rodgers, Bruce James and Brian Underwood once each for touchdowns in the last two seasons.

JOHNSON RETURNS TO THE RECEIVER GAME PLAN
Senior wide receiver Mancel Johnson more than doubled his 1996 output with four catches versus Wake Forest on Saturday. He entered the game with three receptions and hauled in four catches for 77 yards versus the Demon Deacons. For his career, Johnson averages nearly six catches and nearly 86 yards in four games versus Wake Forest. He scored one touchdown in three of the four games played between the two teams during his career. Johnson entered the season averaging 27 catches per season during his first three years in College Park and has caught seven passes in four games this season.

JOHNSON CLIMBING UP MARYLAND'S TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS LIST
Senior Mancel Johnson caught his first touchdown pass of the season and now has 10 for his career and has moved into a tie for sixth place in the Maryland record books.

MARYLAND CAREER TOUCHDOWN RECEPTIONS

Rank   Player, Years           Number  Needs
1.  Jermaine Lewis, 1992-95           21     11
2.  Greg Hill, 1982-84                18      7
3.  Gary Collins, 1959-61             12      2
4.  Barry Johnson, 1987-90            11      1
    Marcus Badgett, 1990-92           11      1
6.  Mancel Johnson, 1993-Present      10
    Azizuddin Abdur Ra'oof, 1984-87   10
    Ferrell Edmunds, 1984-87          10

FIRST DOWN GEROY
Each of senior wide receiver Geroy Simon's last nine catches have been for first downs. The Terps leading receiver now has 27 catches on the season for 407 yards. All four of Simons' catches versus Wake Forest have been for first downs. For the season, Simon has caught 27 passes and 21 (nearly 80 percent) have resulted in first downs.

               Recpts  1st Downs   Pct.
vs. Northern Illinois 2         1      .500
vs. UAB               9         7      .778
vs. Virginia          4         3      .750
vs. West Virginia     3         1      .333
vs. N.C. State        3         3      1.00
vs. North Carolina    2         2      1.00
vs. Wake Forest       4         4      1.00
Totals               27        21      .778

RODGERS CONTINUES TO FIND THE ENDZONE
Junior running back Buddy Rodgers tied his career-high with two rushing touchdowns versus Wake Forest. He has now scored 15 career rushing touchdowns which ranks him seventh all-time at Maryland. He has scored 11 rushing touchdowns in the last 17 games and leads the Terps with five rushing scores this season. His single season career high is seven touchdowns last season.

Rank   Player, Years               TD  Needs
1.  Rick Badanjek, 1982-85          44  29
2.  Steve Atkins, 1975-78           31  16
3.  Louis Carter, 1971-74           28  13
4.  Charlie Wysocki, 1978-81        26  11
5.  Tommy Neal, 1983-86             18   3
6.  Chet Hanulak, 1951-53           16   1
7.  Buddy Rodgers, 1994-Present     15

BREAKING THE TERPS SCORING DROUGHT
Maryland's 52 points versus Wake Forest signaled the resurrection of the Terps offense. A breakdown of the 52 points scored shows:
...The most by a Maryland team since it scored 53 versus Wake Forest on November 14, 1992;
...The 17 first-quarter points were the most first quarter points since a 21 point outburst versus Virginia on November 20, 1982;
...The 31 first-half points were the most since the Terps scored 35 points in the first half versus Indiana State on October 9, 1982;
...That the Terps scoring average per game improved from 14.5 points per game to 19.9 points per game;
...Nearly as many points versus Wake Forest, 52, as the Terps had scored, 57, in its five previous games;
...More total offensive yards, 589, than the Terps had accumulated, 437, in their last three games.
... The Terps entered the game averaging 224 total yards per game but more than doubled that by compiling 589 total yards last weekend against the Deacons;
...Maryland scored on five of its first six possessions.

CUMMINGS IN THE ALL-TIME COMPLETION PERCENTAGE TOP 10
Quarterback Brian Cummings is currently ranked eighth in pass completion percentage in school history.