Maryland Athletics - University of Maryland Official Athletic Site - Football
Previewing The Georgia Tech Game....
University of Maryland Terrapins (4-5, 2-4 ACC)
vs.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3, 4-3 ACC)
Nov. 14, 1996
Bryd Stadium, College Park, Md.
8 p.m., ET ESPN
Quote Of The Week
"You've got to play for pride. You've got
to be a man. You've got to try and put something on tape you can be
proud of." - Terp QB Brian Cummings
Notes Of The Week
21 SENIORS SAY GOODBYE TO BYRD
The University of Maryland honors 21 seniors as the class of 1996 bids
farewell to Byrd Stadium. The Terp offense and defense feature six
senior starters each. Senior wide receiver Geroy Simon is 14 catches
shy of setting the Maryland record for career receptions. Senior inside
linebacker Ratcliff Thomas is the only player in school history to lead
the team in tackles three years and will exit College Park as Maryland's
third all-time leading tackler. Senior placekicker Joe O'Donnell has
split the uprights better than any before him and will graduate with the
title of most accurate kicker in Maryland history. Head Coach Mark
Duffner's inaugural recruiting class in 1992 consisted of current
redshirt seniors Mario Chavez (FB), Eric Greenstein (C), Farad Hall
(OL), Aaron Henne (RG), Orlando Strozier (CB), Al Wallace (DE) and Walt
Williams (WR).
Senior Starters Offense Defense WR Geroy Simon DE Al Wallace C Erik Greenstein LB Ratcliff Thomas OG Aaron Henne CB Chad Scott TE Craig Fitzgerald S Lamont Gore WR Walt Williams S Andre Hentz FB Mario Chavez CB A.J. Johnson
NO SOPHOMORE JINX: All-ACC candidate Eric Barton is attempting to become only the second player in school history to lead the team in tackles as a sophomore. His 87 total tackles through nine games rank him seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference this year. He has been Maryland's leading tackler in a game three times, recorded at least eight tackles seven times and averaged 9.7 tackles per game. Here's a comparison between Barton and what Maryland's top five tacklers of all-time achieved in their sophomore campaigns.
Name(All-time Rank) So.Yr. Tot. Tackles
1. Ratcliff Thomas (3) 1994 137
2. Chuck Faucette (2) 1984 120
3. Eric Wilson (1) 1982 98
4. Eric Barton 1996 87*
5. Mike Jarmolowich (4) 1990 50
6. Brad Carr(5) 1975 19
*ongoing
JOHNNIE ON THE SPOT: Junior defensive lineman Johnnie Hicks is coming off a career-best performance against Clemson. The Harrisburg, Pa. native compiled 14 total tackles, including eight unassisted tackles and one tackle for loss. His previous career best was 11 tackles versus Clemson last year. Hicks is still nursing a separated shoulder that he suffered against West Virginia on Sept. 28; the injury forced him to miss the NC State game.
TOTAL EFFORT: Maryland is ranked 21st in the nation in total defense, allowing an average of 302.0 yards per game. The Terps have held five of their nine opponents to 250 total yards or less.
SIMON PRESSING 2,000 CAREER RECEIVING YARDS MARK: Geroy Simon needs only 18 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 18th place all-time in ACC history with 1,982 career receiving yards.
CREATING TURNOVERS IN BUNCHES: Maryland is tied for 10th in the country with a + 1.00 turnover margin per game average through nine contests. Maryland generated two turnovers last week by recovering two Clemson fumbles. The Terps have picked off their opponents 10 times and recovered 13 fumbles this year while surrendering the ball only 14 times.
Fumble Rec. Int. Total
Maryland 13 10 23
Opponent 4 10 14
Difference 9 0 9
WINS VERSUS LOSSES: In Maryland's four victories, it has outrushed its opponent by an average of 166 yards per game. The Terps have also possessed the ball more than its opponent an average of 5 minutes and 48 seconds per game in its four wins.
Four Wins Avg. Time of Possession Avg. Total Rushing Yards Avg. Turnover Margin MD 32 min, 54 sec. 257 +3 Opp. 27 min, 6 sec 91 -3 Difference 5 min, 48 sec. 166 6 Five Losses MD 25 min, 25 sec. 58 -1 Opp. 34 min, 35 sec. 182 +1 Difference -9 min, 10 sec. -124 -2 MD Only Wins 32 min, 54 sec. 257 +3 Losses 25 min, 25 sec. 58 -1 Difference 7 min, 29 sec. 199 4
UNDERWOOD'S CAREER DAY: Brian Underwood became the fourth Terp to rush for a career high in 1996. Underwood compiled 80 net yards on 14 attempts last week versus Clemson. Underwood filled in admirably when starting tailback Buddy Rodgers was unable to perform due to a quadricep pull. So far this season, Buddy Rodgers rushed for his career high against Duke (176 yards), while Harold Westley and Clifton Crosby each ran for their career best against Wake Forest (120 and 90 respectively).
MEASURING THE TANGIBLES: Seniors contribute many intangibles to any team, such as leadership and experience. The class of 1996 has contributed many tangible, or quantifiable, qualities as well:
Senior Tot. Team Tot. Senior %
Points scored 63 164 38.4
Yards receiving 735 1099 66.9
Toucdowns 4 20 20.0
tackles 281 757 37.1
sacks 10 26 38.5
Interceptions 8 10 80.0
KO return yds 464 557 83.3
Punt return yds 228 263 86.7
SENIOR STARTS: Entering tonight's game versus Georgia Tech, Maryland seniors have accounted for 301 total starts. Linebacker Ratcliff Thomas leads the way, starting 40 of 42 consecutive games. Thomas started 33 consecutive games from his true freshman season in 1993 until this year's season opener. The native of nearby Alexandria, VA missed the first two games of the season with a dislocated shoulder. Corner AJ Johnson has started in 38 of his 42 career games; captain Chad Scott has started in 20 consecutive games after transferring to Maryland from Towson State. Wide receiver Geroy Simon has the longest consecutive start string among all Terps with 31.
SIMON ON THE ALL ACC CAREER RECEIVING YARDAGE LISTS Rank Atlantic Coast Conference Yards 1. Clarkston Hines, Duke, 1986-89 3,318 2. Ricky Proehl, Wake Forest, 1986-89 2,949 3. Jermaine Lewis, Maryland, 1992-95 2,932 17. James Brim, Wake Forest, 1983-86 2,040 18 Geroy Simon, Maryland, 1993-Present 1,982 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 180 Rank University of Maryland Recpts. 1. Jermaine Lewis, 1992-95 193 2. Geroy Simon, 1993-Present 180 SIMON ON THE MARYLAND CAREER RECEIVING YARDAGE LISTS Rank University of Maryland Yards 1. Jermaine Lewis, 1992-95 2,932 2. Geroy Simon, 1993-Present 1,982
FIRST DOWN GEROY: Each of senior wide receiver Geroy Simon's last 12 catches have been for first downs. The Terps leading receiver now has 30 catches on the season for 457 yards. For the season, Simon has caught 30 passes and 24 (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
vs. Duke 1 1 1.00
vs. Clemson 2 2 1.00
Totals 30 24 .800
THOMAS MOVES INTO THIRD: Senior inside linebacker Ratcliff Thomas' nine tackles versus Clemson boosted his career total tackles to 416. He moved into third place on Maryland's all-time tackles list. Thomas is only one of four Terps to record more than 400 tackles in a career. He has led the team in tackles the last three seasons and is attempting to become the first player in school history to lead the team in tackles four years.
THOMAS' TACKLES - YEAR BY YEAR Year UT AT TT Avg./game 1996 39 30 69 9.6 1995 63 40 103 9.4 1994 82 55 137 12.5 1993 77 30 107 9.7 Total 261 155 416 10.4 TERPS TOP ALL-TIME TACKLERS Rank Player, Year Tackles 1. Eric Wilson, 1981-84 481 2. Chuck Faucette, 1983-86 466 3 Ratcliff Thomas, 1993-Present 416 4. Mike Jarmolowich, 1989-92 414
IN A ZONE-THE ENDZONE: Buddy Rodgers leads the team in touchdowns with six. His rushing TD versus Duke improved his career touchdowns total to 17 (16 rushing, 1 receiving) and moved him into sixth place all-time in school history.
Touchdowns Years Total 1. Rick Badanjek 82-85 44 2. Steve Atkins 75-78 31 3. Louis Carter 71-74 28 4. Charlie Wysocki 78-81 26 5. Tommy Neal 83-86 18 6. Buddy Rodgers 94-Pr. 17 7. Chet Hanulak 51-53 16
A DESERVING NOMINEE: Senior defensive end Al Wallace is Maryland's CFA scholar-athlete nominee. The education major has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (above 3.0) for four consecutive semesters dating back to Fall 1994. Wallace also volunteers as a student teacher at William Wirt Middle School and is a two-time participant in National Student-Athlete Day. He plans to student-teach at a local high school this spring. The three-year starter currently sits 11th all-time on the school's career sack list. He was named co-captain for his off the field leadership. The 6-4, 244 pound end bench presses over 400 lbs. and squats nearly 600 lbs.
INSIDE THE RED ZONE, FIRST SEVEN GAMES: For the season, Maryland's offense has been very productive once it enters the 'red zone' having scored points more than 83 percent of the time. Included in those numbers are 12 touchdowns and three field goals in 18 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 vs. Duke 3 2 1 1.00 vs. Clemson 2 0 1 50.0 Total: 18 12 3 83.3
CUMMINGS IN THE ALL-TIME COMPLETION PERCENTAGE TOP 10: Quarterback Brian Cummings is currently ranked ninth in pass completion percentage in school history.
Rank .Pct Comp./Att. Player, Years 1. .662 650/982 Scott Milanovich (1992-95) 2. .629 132/210 Frank Reich (1983-84) 3. .590 231-394 Bob Avellini (1972-74) 4. .5882 180-306 Larry Dick (1975, 77) 5. .5881 387-658 Neil O'Donnell (1987-89) 6. .582 127-218 Dale Betty (1958-60) 7. .571 52-91 Ben Kinard (1973-74) 8. .568 305-537 John Kaleo (1991-92) 9. .553 156-282 Brian Cummings (1994-present)
KICKER O'DONNELL ON ANOTHER ROLL: Senior place kicker Joe O'Donnell has kicked 14 consecutive point after touchdowns entering today's game versus Georgia Tech. 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 15 13 86.6 14 Totals 67 62 92.5 33
O'DONNELL KICKING UP HIS HEELS: Senior place-kicker Joe O'Donnell, with a 80.6 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 25 of 31 attempts during his career. 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 fifth on the all-time list of field goals made while his 31 career attempts rank him ninth all-time.
Rank Player, Years FGM FGA .PCT 1. Joe O'Donnell (1994-Present) 25 31 .806 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
NOTABLE SENIORS...
ERIK GREENSTEIN
(Center, 6-2, 300 lbs., Andover, Mass.)
AJ JOHNSON
(CB, 5-10, 193 lbs., Thurmont, Md.)
GEROY SIMON
(WR, 6-0, 183 lbs., Johnstown, Pa.)
RATCLIFF THOMAS
(LB, 6-1, 238 lbs, Alexandria, Va.)
CHAD SCOTT
(CB, 6-1, 196 lbs., Capitol Heights, Md)
AL WALLACE
(DE, 6-5, 244 lbs., Del Ray Beach, Fla.)
