2008 Maryland Terrapins football team
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland
in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football season
. It was the Terrapins' (also officially known as the "Terps") 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
(ACC) and its fourth within the framework of the ACC Atlantic Division.
Ralph Friedgen
led the team for his eighth season as head coach and was assisted by first-year offensive coordinator
James Franklin and third-year defensive coordinator
Chris Cosh
. It was the first season since the departure of Charlie Taaffe
in 2005 that Friedgen did not call the offensive plays himself. Instead, those duties were handled by Franklin, a former Maryland wide receivers coach
, who returned after a brief stint at Kansas State
and in the National Football League
(NFL). With him, Franklin brought a new system: the West Coast offense
. Cosh, whose complex defensive scheme had been criticized as too passive, resigned at the end of the season.
The 2008 season in the ACC
was described as chaotic, and for Maryland, there was no exception. The Terrapins were within grasp of the ACC Atlantic Division championship at the end of Week 12, but lost their final two games and fell to a four-way tie for third place. Maryland closed the regular season with a 7–5 record—including four wins against Top 25-ranked teams—which was enough to secure bowl eligibility. In the postseason, Maryland defeated Nevada
of the Western Athletic Conference
in the Humanitarian Bowl
.
offensive coordinator James Franklin to serve in that same role for the Terrapins. From 2000 to 2004, he was the Maryland wide receivers coach
. In 2003 and 2004, he also served as the recruiting coordinator, and Rivals.com
ranked Franklin as one of the nation's top-25 recruiters both years. Because of the arrival of Franklin, 2008 was the first since 2005 that head coach Ralph Friedgen
did not call the offensive plays himself. At Maryland, Franklin installed a West Coast offense
, which was well suited to quarterback
Chris Turner
's playing style and an experienced wide receiver
corps that included play-maker Darrius Heyward-Bey
and sure-handed Danny Oquendo
.
. In January 2008, shortly after Oregon State
defeated Maryland in the Emerald Bowl
, linebacker
Erin Henderson
announced that he would forgo his senior year to enter the 2008 NFL Draft
. Henderson, the brother of Butkus and Bednarik Award winner E.J., had recorded an ACC-high four fumble
recoveries in 2007 and was the Terrapins' leader in total tackles
(133) and tackles for loss (11). The defensive line lost tackles Dre Moore
and Carlos Feliciano, while the secondary unit
lost both starting safeties, strong safety Christian Varner and free safety J. J. Justice, as well as cornerback
Isaiah Gardner
. The Maryland offense lost tailback
s Lance Ball
and Keon Lattimore
who combined for 1,573 rushing
yards and 25 touchdown
s in 2007. The offensive line saw the departure of tight end
s Jason Goode
and Joey Haynos
, and offensive guard Andrew Crummey
.
. The 2008 team contained 31 seniors, which was the largest group since Friedgen became head coach in 2001. Important returnees on the defensive unit included cornerback Kevin Barnes
, who recorded four interceptions in 2007; defensive end
Jeremy Navarre
, who had recorded 5.5 sack
s; and linebacker Dave Philistin
, who had recorded 124 tackles. The offense's returning statistical leaders included quarterback
Chris Turner
, who threw for 1,958 passing
yards in 2007; wide receiver
Darrius Heyward-Bey
, who had 786 receiving
yards; and running back Da'Rel Scott
, who had 135 rushing yards.
and 38th by Rivals.com
. Scout.com rated three recruits as four-star and six as three-star prospects, while Rivals.com rated six recruits each as four-star and three-star prospects. Kenny Tate
, who was originally recruited as a wide receiver, was the only four-star prospect to see significant playing time in 2008. Before the season, he was converted to safety, a position that had been attrited by the graduation of former starters Christian Varner and J.J. Justice, and Tate also saw action on special teams. Cornerback Cameron Chism, who saw action in nine games as a reserve, recorded seven tackles on kickoff returns to tie for second on the team in special teams tackles. Tight end Matt Furstenburg saw limited play time on special teams against Delaware and Middle Tennessee
, but injured his foot and was awarded a medical redshirt
. Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey also sat out the season as a redshirt to recuperate from foot surgery. The other four-star recruits who sat out on redshirt status were wide receiver Kerry Boykins, tight end Devonte Campbell, and defensive tackle Masengo Kabongo. Running back Davin Meggett
, the son of former New York Giants
star Dave Meggett
, was the only true freshman to start a game for Maryland in 2008, and he was a significant contributor throughout the season. Meggett was not a highly touted recruit, assessed by Scout.com as a two-star prospect, and his only other scholarship
offers were from local-area Division I FCS schools. In 2008, however, he led all ACC freshman with 5.13 yards per carry
, and Megett finished the season with 457 yards and four touchdowns as a reserve.
There was some controversy at the start of the season when head coach Ralph Friedgen
selected senior Jordan Steffy as the starting quarterback over junior Chris Turner
. In 2007, when Steffy suffered a concussion against 10th-ranked Rutgers
, the relatively untested Turner took over and led Maryland to an upset victory. He then started the remainder of the season, compiled a 4–5 record in games he started, and led another upset against eighth-ranked Boston College. In comparing the practice performances of Steffy, Turner, and third-stringer Josh Portis
, offensive coordinator James Franklin said:
In the season opener against Delaware, Steffy suffered an injured thumb, and Turner took over in the fourth quarter. He remained the starter for the rest of the season, and Steffy saw no further game action. Portis saw limited playing time throughout the season, usually being put in for a single option
play at a time.
computer rating system calculated Maryland's strength of schedule
to be 36th-most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 56th-most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams. In accordance with conference rules, Maryland faced all five Atlantic Division opponents: Boston College
, Clemson
, Florida State
, NC State
, and Wake Forest
. They also faced three Coastal Division opponents: official ACC rival
Virginia
, North Carolina
, and Virginia Tech
. Virginia Tech and Boston College were the ACC champions and runners-up, respectively, in 2007 and again in 2008. Maryland did not play ACC opponents Duke
, Georgia Tech
, and Miami
.
Maryland also played four non-conference games. For the season opener, the Terrapins met the 2007 Division I FCS runners-up
, Delaware. California
of the Pacific-10 Conference was played for the first time in school history as the first half of a home-and-home series. Athletic director Deborah Yow
wanted to play one of the University of Maryland's five academic peer institutions, and to take a two-year hiatus from the 28-year series
against West Virginia
. She said, by adding California, "We weren't trying to add to the degree of difficulty [of Maryland's schedule]; we were trying to substitute for West Virginia." Games were also played against Middle Tennessee State of the Sun Belt Conference
and Eastern Michigan
of the Mid-American Conference
. For the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
, Maryland played Nevada
in the teams' first meeting.
suffered a season-ending scapular fracture
against Wake Forest
and missed the last six games. Sophomore LaQuan Williams and true freshman Kevin Dorsey, both wide receivers, sat out the entire season due to leg and foot injuries, respectively. Leading receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey sat out the Boston College game due to a calf injury, and leading rusher Da'Rel Scott
suffered a left shoulder injury in the third game against California
, which plagued him throughout the season, although he missed just one game. Running back Morgan Green
, who had contended for the starting position during summer camp, had an injury-riddled season, before seeing his first real action in the bowl game. Starting quarterback Jordan Steffy was put out for the season by a thumb injury on his throwing hand in the first game.
The previous season, Delaware finished as the Division I FCS championship runners-up and scored more than 40 points in seven of 15 games. However, their star quarterback, Joe Flacco
, and running back, Omar Cuff
, both graduated and went on to the NFL. Later in the season, the Blue Hens finished 2008 with eight losses for the first time in school history.
Delaware kicked off
to start the game, and wide receiver Torrey Smith
returned the ball 23 yards to the Maryland 32-yard line. Quarterback Jordan Steffy then led a Maryland drive, but the series ended when placekicker
Obi Egekeze
missed a 48-yard field goal
attempt. On the next Maryland possession, Egekeze missed another field goal attempt, this time of 45 yards. The teams then exchanged several punts before Maryland took over on the Delaware 48-yard line. Steffy completed a 36-yard pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey
, which set up a 12-yard touchdown
rush also by Heyward-Bey. Delaware drove 44 yards, but then missed their own 46-yard field goal attempt. With 3:33 left in the half, Steffy engineered a 47-yard drive to set up a 41-yard field goal attempt, which Egekeze missed for the third time. On the first play of the second half, Delaware quarterback Rob Schoenhoft threw an interception
to cornerback Kevin Barnes
, who returned it 10 yards to the Delaware 46-yard line. On the next play, Steffy threw an interception to Erik Johnson, who returned it to the Maryland 49-yard line. The Terrapins' next possession ended when, fourth and 18, Steffy threw another interception at the Delaware one-yard line. Incidentally, this put the Blue Hens in worse field position than if the Terrapins had turned over on downs
. Soon after, Delaware punt
ed the ball away. Running back Da'Rel Scott
then rushed for a 30-yard gain, which set up a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Davin Meggett
. Chris Turner took over as Maryland's quarterback on the second series of the fourth quarter after Steffy fractured his right thumb. On Delaware's subsequent possession, Schoenhoft engineered an 80-yard drive, which culminated with a one-yard touchdown rush by running back Johnathan Smith. With 3:20 on the clock, Schoenhoft threw an interception to safety Terrell Skinner. Turner then scrambled
for a first down, and Scott converted for a second first down, which allowed Maryland to run out the game clock. Maryland won, with a final score of 14–7.
In his first career start, Scott ran for 157 yards, but Friedgen thought he could have done better. Friedgen said, "He was a little tired from camp ... Normally, he would break some of those runs. I don't think he quite had his third gear today." Steffy played a solid first half, but in the second, threw two interceptions before suffering a season-ending thumb fracture. He was replaced by back-up Chris Turner who started for the remainder of the season. Regarding their loss, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said, "This is not like a moral victory. I don't believe in moral victories ... This was not a payday for us ... We play a home game, we make more money than playing this game down here. When we scheduled this game, I thought our program would possibly be in a position to beat a solid ACC school."
The previous week, Middle Tennessee made two rapid-fire fourth quarter touchdowns in a failed comeback attempt against the eventual Sun Belt Conference champions, Troy
. The week following the Maryland game, Middle Tennessee nearly upset Kentucky
. The Blue Raiders lost that game, 20–14, after wide receiver Eldred King caught a 61-yard pass only to be ankle-tackled at the Kentucky one-yard line as time expired.
After receiving the kickoff, Middle Tennessee quarterback Joe Craddock led an 80-yard, 10-play drive. It included a fake punt that caught Maryland off-guard, which allowed the punter to complete a 28-yard pass for a first-down conversion. Craddock ended the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass. On Maryland's second offensive play of the game, Da'Rel Scott broke free for a 63-yard run for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee re-took the lead with a 31-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Turner threw an interception that was returned 25 yards to the Maryland five-yard line, and Middle Tennessee subsequently scored on a rushing play. On Maryland's next possession, Turner completed a short pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey who ran for an 80-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Maryland advanced inside the Middle Tennessee 35-yard line three times, but was unable to capitalize. Middle Tennessee defenders saved two potential touchdowns with interceptions on their own two-yard line and in the end zone
to preserve a Blue Raider victory, 24–14.
The game marked Middle Tennessee's first ever win over an ACC opponent, although they had come close in Charlottesville
the year prior, when Virginia
made a go-ahead field goal with eight seconds remaining. It was Middle Tennessee's fourth win against an opponent from a Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) conference. The other three all came against Vanderbilt
.
The Washington Post
called the previous week's ten-point loss to Middle Tennessee the "worst defeat of [Ralph Friedgen's] eight-year tenure," and with the narrow margin of victory over Delaware, most analysts strongly favored 23-ranked California in its first meeting against Maryland. The previous week, California routed Washington State
, 66–3.
The game began with a Maryland kickoff to California, who were stopped for a net loss of 4 yards and forced to punt. On Maryland's first possession, it mounted a 60-yard drive that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown rush by Da'Rel Scott
. California quarterback Kevin Riley then threw an interception to cornerback Kevin Barnes
, which allowed Scott to rush for his second score of the game. California made a field goal, but on the following series, Maryland drove 60 yards and tight end Dan Gronkowski
made a touchdown reception. The Golden Bears made another field goal to end the first half with a score of 21–6, in Maryland's favor. During the second quarter, Riley threw a short screen pass
to running back Jahvid Best
, who immediately received a hard hit from Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes
. While still laying on the field, Best rolled to his side to vomit. Footage of the tackle and its aftermath circulated widely on the internet and became a viral video
phenomenon. In the third period, Chris Turner
completed a pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey
for a 27-yard touchdown to end the quarter with Maryland in the lead, 28–6. In the final period, California scored two touchdowns against a preventative defense
, before Maryland responded with a fifth score on a one-yard rush by Davin Meggett
. In the final minutes, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze missed a 27-yard field goal which would have clinched the victory. Instead, California scored a third touchdown to close within eight points. With 1:55 remaining to play, California attempted an onside kick
, but it bounced out of bounds, and Maryland was able to run out the clock
to win the upset, 35–28.
The Maryland offense scored five touchdowns against California, which bettered the combined total of four in the Terrapins' first two games. California running back Jahvid Best
, an early Heisman Trophy
contender, ran for 311 yards in his first two games, but was held to 25 yards on 10 carries against Maryland. In total, California's rushing offense was held to 38 yards. This was the first of four Maryland victories over ranked opponents during the 2008 season.
Against Mid-American Conference
opponent Eastern Michigan, Maryland showcased its offense, which scored on nine out of thirteen possessions. Starting tailback Da'Rel Scott sat out the game because of a shoulder injury suffered against California, and he was replaced by Morgan Green
.
Linebacker Adrian Moten blocked an Eastern Michigan punt, which gave Maryland excellent field position for their first possession on their opponents' 10-yard line. They were, however, were held to a field goal. Eastern Michigan responded with a 75-yard drive to the Maryland five-yard line, but threw an interception to safety Jamari McCollough. Maryland mounted an 80 yard drive, which included a 35-yard run by Darrius Heyward-Bey
and culminated in a one-yard touchdown by Morgan Green. After both teams suffered "three-and-out" possessions, Eastern Michigan quarterback Kyle McMahon threw a second interception to Moten, which set up a second touchdown by Green. Eastern Michigan drove 80 yards in 11 plays, and running back Terrence Blevins ran for a touchdown to bring the score to 17–7. Torrey Smith
returned the ensuing 59-yard kickoff 57 yards, which set up a 32-yard touchdown pass from Chris Turner
to Heyward-Bey. Eastern Michigan then drove 80 yards for another touchdown. On the subsequent Maryland possession, Turner threw an interception to end the half with the score of 24–14. On the kickoff to start the second half, Smith returned the ball 27 yards. On the next play, Heyward-Bey gained 47 yards on a rush attempt, which set up a short touchdown pass to tight end Dan Gronkowski
. On the next two series, the teams traded field goals which brought the score to 34–17. Turner threw another interception to start the fourth quarter, but linebacker Trey Covington then recorded a quarterback sack
, which forced Eastern Michigan to turnover on downs
. Turner was then sacked himself, and Maryland kicked a field goal. Eastern Michigan engineered an 80-yard drive for a touchdown, and closed the deficit to 37–24. Maryland reserve quarterback Josh Portis
execute a lateral
to wide receiver Danny Oquendo
who in turn passed to receiver Isaiah Williams
, which gained a 43-yard touchdown. Eastern Michigan was subsequently forced to punt, and Portis rushed 80 yards over six plays for the final touchdown. In the next series, Jamari McCoullough intercepted an Eastern Michigan pass to end the game, 51–24.
Maryland traveled to Clemson to play in "Death Valley
", traditionally one of the most difficult ACC venues for opponents to play. Clemson firmly held the momentum of the game for the first half, and their running backs exploited holes in the Maryland defensive line. During that time, Clemson recorded two touchdowns and a field goal. Despite gaining excellent field position through recovering a fumbled punt on the Clemson 19-yard line and a recovered fumble on the Clemson 30-yard line, Maryland was able to produce just two field goals from those turnovers. The Terrapins drives were also blunted by penalties for two false starts and a holding call.
In the first possession of the second half, the Terrapins were forced to punt after a run attempt for loss, a false start penalty, and two incomplete passes. The Maryland defense took the field and stopped a Clemson drive. On the first play of their second series, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
executed a reverse
to gain 76 yards before being stopped at the Clemson four-yard line. This set up a short Chris Turner
touchdown pass to receiver Torrey Smith
, and shifted the game's momentum in favor of Maryland. In the fourth quarter, three completions to Danny Oquendo
set the stage for a one-yard rush into the endzone by Da'Rel Scott
. In the second half, the Maryland defense allowed Clemson just 31 rushing yards and zero points, compared with 204 rushing yards and 17 points in the first half.
The upset marked the fourth consecutive Maryland win against a ranked opponent (the others: #23 Cal, and, in the 2007 season, #8 Boston College and #10 Rutgers). It was also the fourth consecutive time that the visiting team has won the Maryland–Clemson series.
Virginia went into the game with a 1–3 record and at the bottom of the ACC. They mustered only 36 points (and just 20 points against Division I FBS teams) in the previous four games, while allowing their opponents 128 points. Their last game had been a 31–3 defeat at the hands of Duke, which finally broke the Blue Devils' 25-game ACC losing streak.
The Maryland offense had difficulty converting third downs, and managed only four on 13 attempts, while their defense allowed 226 passing yards and 201 rushing yards. Late in the first quarter, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica
completed a pass to receiver Kevin Ogletree
for a 51-yard touchdown, the Cavs' first passing score of the season. Virginia was able to score twice more before half, to put the Terrapins into a 21–0 deficit. With seconds left in the second quarter, in a desperate gambit to recoup some points, quarterback Chris Turner
attempted a hook and ladder play with a pass to Isaiah Williams
who then lateraled to Darrius Heyward-Bey
, who in turn lateraled to Da'Rel Scott
. The maneuver picked up 45 yards before Scott was shoved out of bounds, and a flag was thrown for a late hit by Virginia. Since a half cannot end on a defensive penalty, time would have been added to the clock, but it was ruled that the foul occurred after time had expired. Therefore, the penalty was assessed after the kick-off, and the Terrapins' trick play was for naught.
In the third quarter, things got worse for Maryland as the Cavaliers added a field goal and another touchdown. In a final drive for 46 yards, Maryland attempted to avert a shutout. The effort fell short when a Turner pass was intercepted. The final result was 31–0.
It was the first time Maryland was shut out since 2004, when they were similarly defeated by Virginia in Charlottesville, 16–0. It was Maryland's worst shutout loss since losing to Virginia in 1997, 45–0, and the largest margin of loss since losing to Virginia Tech in 2004, 55–6.
After an embarrassing 31–0 loss against struggling Virginia, the Terrapins continued their inconsistent season against nationally-ranked Atlantic Division front-runner 21st-ranked Wake Forest.
Maryland first scored with a halfback option
, when Chris Turner
pitched to Da'Rel Scott
, who connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey
for a nine-yard pass into the end zone. In the second and third quarters, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze
made four field goals. In the final quarter, Danny Oquendo
brought down a short pass from Turner and ran it in past two defenders for a touchdown totaling 50 yards.
Against Wake Forest's best-ranked pass defense in the nation, Chris Turner threw for a season-high of 321 yards and a career-best 68% completion rate (28–41). Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott twice fumbled to give Wake Forest excellent field position, but both opportunities were wasted with missed field goal attempts. Wake Forest's leading scorer, placekicker Sam Swank, was out due to injury.
Ralph Friedgen stated that "We finally put a full game together. I think by far it's the best we've played all year." It was Maryland's fifth consecutive defeat of a ranked opponent, and the third of the season, making them 3–0 against ranked opponents, but just 2–2 against all others. The game also marked the first time that Wake Forest had been held scoreless in 124 games when it lost to Air Force
in 1998, and it was the first time since 1957 that the Terrapins had bounced back to shut out an opponent following a shutout of their own. The last Maryland shutout of a ranked opponent was in 1955 against UCLA
.
In a frigid driving rain at College Park
, NC State brought an inspired effort in an attempt to break a three-game losing streak. In the first series of the game, the Wolfpack used 14 plays and 8 minutes to drive 73 yards and score first. Maryland immediately responded with a drive that ended with a 13-yard Turner pass to Dan Gronkowski. In the following series, NC State again scored a touchdown, and Maryland kicked a field goal in response. NC State running back Andre Brown
fumbled on the first play, and Maryland recovered on the Wolfpack 24-yard line. The Terrapins capitalized on the turnover with a Davin Meggett
run into the endzone. After a Wolfpack field goal, the score was even at halftime, 17–17. In the third quarter, Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott
rushed 24 yards for a touchdown. Late in the quarter, Danny Oquendo
fumbled a punt return on the 50-yard line and the Wolfpack recovered. NC State equalized once more with a Russell Wilson
pass, which brought the score to 24–24.
With 4:50 remaining on the clock, and the ball on their own eight-yard line, Maryland drove 89 yards to the Wolfpack three-yard line, which included a pass to Davin Meggett for 31 yards. This set up a 20-yard field goal attempt by Obi Egekeze with eight seconds on the clock. The kick was good and put Maryland ahead for good, 27–24.
The Wolfpack lost its fourth straight game to remain the only ACC team winless in conference play (ACC: 0–4). The favorite Terrapins once again struggled against an underdog opponent, but managed to edge the Wolfpack and secure a sixth win for bowl eligibility
. With it, Maryland was ranked for the first time since 2006, at 25th on the Associated Press
and USA Today
Coaches' Poll rankings. Interestingly, the fan poll ESPNU
Allstate Standings had the Terrapins ranked 14th in the nation, ahead of AP first-ranked Texas and fourth-ranked Oklahoma.
Maryland had a bye in Week 10, while ACC Atlantic rival 16th-ranked Florida State
lost to Georgia Tech
. This allowed Maryland to take the uncontested lead in the Atlantic Division and rise in the AP Poll to number-23 and USA Today Coaches' Poll to number-21. Florida State fell to 24th, while once 19th-ranked Tulsa
, 20th-ranked Minnesota
, 23rd-ranked Oregon
, and 24th-ranked South Florida
were all dropped from the rankings after their own loses.
The two teams met for a Thursday night game at Blacksburg
, a time and site where the Hokies have traditionally excelled. In the first quarter, Maryland drove 56 yards, but was held to a 46-yard field goal attempt, which was missed by Obi Egekeze. In the next series, Tech quarterback Sean Glennon
led the Hokies on an 80-yard drive that culminated in a short pass to Greg Boone for a score. The next series went into the second quarter, and Maryland was again forced to attempt a field goal, which was made good. Hokies tailback Darren Evans
then broke away for a 50-yard carry to the Maryland 30-yard line, and later capped it with a one-yard rush into the endzone. Before the half, Tech managed a field goal to expand their lead, 17–3.
In the second half, Chris Turner
hit Darrius Heyward-Bey
for a short bubble screen pass
behind the line of scrimmage, and Heyward-Bey ran it 63 yards for the score. During the next series, the Terrapins were held three-and-out, but the punt was fumbled and recovered by Maryland on the Hokies 11-yard line. However, the Terrapins were again forced to settle for a field goal, which made it a one-possession lead for VT at 20–13 with 2:29 left in the third quarter. In the final quarter, the Hokies managed another field goal and held onto the lead for a final result of 23–13.
Hokies tailback Darren Evans ran for a school-record of 253 yards, and exceeded 100 rushing yards in a game for the first time in his career. The Hokie defense shut down the Terrapins running game and held them to −12 yards on 18 carries. Maryland also proved unable or unwilling to blitz against Sean Glennon, the Tech quarterback hobbled by an ankle injury. Glennon threw for 127 yards and a touchdown.
In another driving rainstorm at College Park
, Maryland met 16th-ranked North Carolina. Maryland's first possession ended as a "three-and-out" series
, and the Terrapins elected to punt. The ball was snapped high and sailed over punter Travis Baltz
's head. Baltz recovered it in the Maryland end zone for a safety, which averted a possible North Carolina touchdown. Maryland kicked off to North Carolina, and held the Tar Heels to a field goal. On the subsequent possession, Maryland took the lead, 7–5, after a 76-yard drive that culminated with a short run by Da'Rel Scott
. On North Carolina's next possession, quarterback Cameron Sexton threw a long pass, which was tipped by Maryland safety Kenny Tate
, but deflected into the hands of receiver Cooter Arnold hands, who ran it into the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown. Davin Meggett
powered 57 yards through the opposing defensive line on nine carries for another touchdown, which put Maryland back in the lead. Shortly before halftime, North Carolina kicked another field goal for the game's fifth lead change. The rain and wind let up in the third quarter, but the waterlogged playing field still presented challenging conditions. North Carolina placekicker Casey Barth struck the left upright on an unsuccessful 28-yard field goal attempt, but the Tar Heels soon recovered a fumble from Maryland back-up quarterback Josh Portis
. North Carolina failed to capitalize, however, and punted the ball away. Chris Turner
engineered a 73-yard drive in 19 plays, which included a scramble for a first down by the typically immobile pocket
quarterback. That run put Maryland within field goal range, and Egekeze made the 26-yard attempt with 1:42 remaining to play. North Carolina received the kick and managed a first down, but Sexton then threw a 34-yard interception to safety Jamari McCollough. The Terrapins were then able to run run out the play clock to win, 17–15.
The victory was Maryland's sixth consecutive against ranked opponents, which set a new school record. At the time, Maryland was the only team in the nation with four wins over ranked opponents during the 2008 season. Only BCS National Championship Game
participants Florida
and Oklahoma
would later finish with more wins against ranked teams. Maryland also improved their home record to 6–0 for the season. Head coach Ralph Friedgen
improved his record against North Carolina to 5–1, and kept North Carolina winless in College Park since 1997.
picture, but did not decide it. Maryland improved their ACC record to 4–2 and took the uncontested lead of the Atlantic Division. Florida State lost to Boston College that same day, which meant four teams were still able to secure the division title: Boston College, Florida State, Maryland, and Wake Forest.
Boston College (ACC: 3–3) could travel to the ACC Championship Game if they won out by beating both Wake Forest and Maryland. Boston College eventually did just that, and lost to Virginia Tech in the 2008 ACC Championship Game
. Florida State (ACC: 4–3) would have won the Atlantic Division if they beat Maryland, Maryland beat Boston College, and Boston College beat Wake Forest. Under those circumstances, Florida State would have finished with a 5–3 record, tied with Maryland. Florida State would win the tiebreaker because they had defeated Maryland head-to-head. As it happened, Maryland lost to Boston College, which relegated Florida State to a second-place finish in the division. Wake Forest (ACC: 4–3) would have won the division if they won their last game against Boston College, and both Florida State and Boston College beat Maryland. In that case, Florida State and Wake Forest would have had identical conference records (ACC: 5–3), and Wake Forest would have won the tiebreaker because they defeated Florida State earlier in the season.
Maryland (ACC: 4–2) would have won the division title if they had either: (1) beaten both Florida State and Boston College; (2) beaten Florida State, while Boston College lost to Wake Forest; or (3) beaten Boston College, while Boston College lost to Wake Forest. That last scenario would have caused a three-way tie between Maryland, Florida State, and Wake Forest. All would have possessed a 5–3 conference record, and no head-to-head tiebreaker would have been possible. In that case, the winner would have been decided by divisional record, of which the Terrapins would have had the best (ACC Atlantic: 4–1).
After Wake Forest lost to Boston College earlier in the day, Florida State required a win over Maryland to proceed to the ACC Championship Game. The Seminoles would also need Maryland to win against Boston College the following week. As a testament to the must-win nature of the game for Florida State, it was designated as a "Sod Game", where, if won, the team would bring home a piece of Byrd Stadium's sod to be commemorated in their "Sod Cemetery".
Maryland received the opening kickoff and pushed into Florida State territory. On third down, Chris Turner
was sacked and Maryland was forced to punt. Florida State was held three-and-out and punted. The Terrapins again pushed down field, before, on fourth and four on the Florida State 27-yard line, elected to attempt a field goal. Obi Egekeze's 44-yard attempt went wide of the uprights far to the right.
Florida State started a drive in the first quarter for 73 yards which culminated with a seven-yard Christian Ponder
pass to Preston Parker for the score. The two teams traded punts, and Terrapins running back Da'Rel Scott
fumbled the ball on the Maryland 26-yard line. Seminole linebacker Derek Nicholson picked up the ball and ran it into the endzone to bring the score to 14–0. On the next possession, Chris Turner threw his first interception in five games. Florida State then went three-and-out and punted. Maryland drove for 53 yards before another Turner pass was intercepted by Toddrick Verdell, who returned it for 34 yards. Florida State quarterback Ponder completed a 17-yard pass to Parker, and then ran it himself for 16 yards to the Maryland five-yard line. Two Antone Smith rushes brought the score to 21–0 at the half.
At the beginning of the second half, the Terrapins kicked off to the Seminoles before both teams traded field goals. It would be the only points Maryland would muster all night. In the fourth quarter, Florida State added another field goal. On the next possession, Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
both made short runs for a first down. Scott lost his second fumble of the night on the Terrapin 43-yard line. Florida State took over and scored another touchdown. After Maryland went three-and-out, Seminoles kicker Graham Gano
made his third field goal of the night.
The Seminoles defense accumulated six sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. The loss ended Maryland's aspirations for the Atlantic Division title and, with it, a shot at the ACC Championship. Florida State remained in the running until Maryland lost to Boston College the following week.
Three hours before kick-off, Florida State safety Myron Rolle
successfully interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship
in Birmingham, Alabama
. Rolle then took a private flight to arrive at the game in time to play late in the first half.
Maryland entered the game having been knocked out of the running for the Atlantic Division title the previous week, but able to play spoiler for Boston College. The Eagles were playing to earn a berth to the ACC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Additionally, competing within a closely contested ACC, Maryland could have greatly improved its standing for bowl selection with an eighth win. The Eagles were the fifth ranked team to face Maryland. The Terrapins were, to that point, 4–0 against top-25 opposition and the only team to beat four ranked opponents in 2008. Boston College was fielding second-string quarterback Dominique Davis
in his first career appearance. He replaced starter Chris Crane
, who had suffered a broken collarbone the previous week.
Boston College kicked off, and Torrey Smith
made a 27-yard return to the Maryland 31-yard line. After a Terrapins false start and Eagles offsides penalty, Chris Turner
connected with Torrey Smith for 12 yards and a first down. Turner gained another first down with a completion to Danny Oquendo
to put them into BC territory. A rush for no gain and two incomplete passes forced a punt. Boston College responded with a 14-play, 88-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jarvis. On the next possession, Turner completed passes to Emani Lee-Odai and Torrey Smith for 16- and 43-yard gains, respectively, and placed them at the Boston College one-yard line. Turner capped the drive with a one-yard rush for a score to tie the score, 7–7. To end the first quarer, Boston College linebacker Mike McLaughlin literally hurdled over 5-ft 8-in Davin Meggett
to sack Turner in what was ranked an ESPN SportsCenter
"Play of the Day". The Eagles and Terrapins traded punts twice, and then Boston College turned over on downs before Maryland was forced to punt again. After a Boston College punt, Chris Turner threw an interception to Mark Herzlich
. On the next play Dominique Davis threw to Rich Gunnell for a 45-yard touchdown reception.
The second half started off with traded punts. Boston College took over with excellent field position on the Maryland 34-yard line, but was held to fourth and eight yards on the Terrapins' nine-yard line. The Eagles faked a field goal attempt, and holder
Billy Flutie, nephew of Heisman winner Doug Flutie
, rolled right and passed to Jordon McMichael for a nine-yard touchdown. The teams traded punts again, before Turner led the Terrapins on a 70-yard drive into the final quarter. A 13-yard reception by Danny Oquendo brought the score to 21–14. Boston College was then held three-and-out and punted. The Terrapins drove to the Eagles' 19-yard line, but Obi Egekeze missed the 36-yard field goal attempt. Boston College's next drive consisted of ten rush attempts by Montel Harris
and burned three minutes off the clock. The Eagles punted and Turner completed three passes to advance to their own 35-yard line. Linebacker Robert Francois intercepted a pass and ran it 36 yards into the endzone. Steve Aponavicius
's extra point brought it to 28–14. With 1:42 left, Turner completed eight passes including an 8-yard touchdown toss to Torrey Smith. With 0:14 remaining in the game, Maryland attempted an onside kick, but it bounced out of bounds. Boston College took possession and ran out the clock to end the game, 28–21.
Boston College ended Maryland's six game winning streak against ranked opponents. With a 7–5 record, the Terrapins' postseason bowl game options were also limited. The Eagles secured the ACC Atlantic Division title and, with it, a trip to Tampa
for the ACC Championship Game to face Virginia Tech for the second-straight season. Boston College held the Maryland run to −6 yards, forcing reliance on Chris Turner's passing ability. It was the second game of the season the Terrapins were held to negative rushing yards (this had also occurred against Virginia Tech). Turner, however, was able to throw for 360 yards, bettering Boston College's total offensive yardage of 318 yards.
Maryland achieved bowl eligibility through its sixth win against NC State
. The Terrapins finished the regular season with a 7–5 overall record and 4–4 record against ACC opponents. Maryland's conference record was identical to four other ACC teams, and the league fielded an NCAA record of ten bowl-eligible teams. For the 2008 season, there were eight non-Bowl Championship Series
(BCS) bowl games with ACC tie-ins: the Gator Bowl
, the Chick-fil-A Bowl
, the Champs Sports Bowl
, the Music City Bowl
, the Humanitarian Bowl
, the Emerald Bowl
, the Meineke Car Care Bowl
, and the EagleBank Bowl
.
After Maryland suffered a fifth loss in the season closer against Boston College
, it was very unlikely that the team's preferred postseason game, the Meineke Car Care Bowl, would extend an invitation. The game's selection committee in Charlotte, North Carolina
was eager to secure nearby North Carolina
(8–4). Meanwhile, the EagleBank Bowl, hosted by RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., not far from the Maryland campus, secured in-state rival Navy
, but the game date conflicted with Maryland's final exams. Soon after Maryland's regular season finale, sportswriters and analysts speculated that the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho
, was the most likely postseason destination. Bowl officials there worked to secure a game of undefeated teams between the hometown team, Boise State
, and Ball State
of the Mid-American Conference
. However, Ball State rejected the proposal to play at Boise State's homefield as unacceptable.
On December 7, 2008, Maryland accepted a bid to play in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
against Nevada
. The Western Athletic Conference
(WAC) team likewise finished with a 7–5 record. Nevada was ranked the number-five total offense and number-two rushing offense in the nation with 510.6 total yards per game. In 2008, running back Vai Taua
ran for 1,420 and quarterback Colin Kaepernick
for 1,115 yards, and the latter threw for an additional 2,479 yards. The Humanitarian Bowl executive director, Kevin McDonald, said, "We look forward to welcoming a Maryland [team] that defeated four Top 25 opponents and spent three weeks ranked ... Nevada comes in having played two teams, Texas Tech
and Missouri
, that were then ranked nationally in the top ten. They also gave ninth-ranked Boise State their toughest [WAC] game."
Prior to the game, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
placed a partial-game suspension on seven players who violated the team's pre-bowl curfew, including leading rusher, Da'Rel Scott
, and senior wide receiver Danny Oquendo
. Consequently, a much younger line-up initially started for Maryland during the early part of the game, including, according to Friedgen, some who probably would not have seen playing time otherwise.
The game started with Maryland receiving the kick-off and on the first series, quarterback Chris Turner
linked up with freshman Adrian Cannon for a 59-yard touchdown. However, placekicker Obi Egekeze missed the extra point. Nevada quarterback and Western Athletic Conference
offensive player of the year, Colin Kaepernick
, responded with a drive which included a 68-yard pass to the Maryland 3-yard line. The Terrapin defense stopped two rushing attempts by Vai Taua
, but a short pass was good for the score, and with the extra point, Nevada took the lead 6–7. The Wolf Pack then kicked a 69-yard kick-off to Torrey Smith, who returned it 99 yards for a second Maryland touchdown. Egekeze made good the extra point and Maryland regained the lead, 13–7. On the next kick-off, Egekeze attempted to kick the ball as it fell off the tee, resulting in a short squib, which was returned to the Terrapins' 9-yard line. Kaepernick threw into the endzone where it was intercepted by Maryland safety Kenny Tate
for a touchback
, but the Terrapins were soon forced to punt. Kaepernick advanced the ball downfield before a Taua 17-yard touchdown run. In the next series, Maryland sophomore Morgan Green
rushed for three yards and then a 53-yard touchdown breakaway. Later, Turner converted on third down with a 16-yard toss to Ronnie Tyler and threw again to Tyler for a 14-yard touchdown. Turner tallied a two-point conversion
with a throw to Davin Meggett
, and Maryland led at halftime 28–14.
Wolf Pack running back Taua was able to capitalize after a Turner-thrown pick and narrow their deficit, 28–21. A sack against Turner knocked the ball loose, was recovered by Nevada, fumbled again, and finally recovered by the Terrapins' Scott Burley. Turner then connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey
for an 11-yard first down and a fresh Da'Rel Scott made his first touch of the game for another first down on the Nevada 23. Turner was again sacked and fumbled, and Nevada recovered. Kaepernick then completed 38-yard and 21-yard passes to even the score, 28–28. Turner converted on third down with a 26-yard toss to Torrey Smith. Scott was soon able to break open down the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. On the next Maryland series, Da'Rel Scott was handed the ball four times in succession and scored his second touchdown. With 4:01 remaining, Kaepernick led a drive starting from the Nevada 23, before a scramble
for a touchdown made it a one-possession game with 2:19 remaining. Jaekle attempted an on-side kick, but it was recovered by Maryland. Scott picking up a first down and clinched a 42–35 Maryland victory.
Maryland freshman wide receiver Torrey Smith, with his 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, broke the all-time ACC
record for single-season kickoff returns with 1,089 yards. Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott rushed for 174 yards, earning Most Valuable Player honors alongside Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick who threw for 370 yards. Scott set the University of Maryland's record for rushing yards in a bowl game, in what was just one-and-half quarters of playing time due to his curfew suspension. He also broke the 1,000-yard per season barrier, making him one of just seven players in school history to do so. Four Maryland back-ups who saw significant play due to the curfew suspensions also scored touchdowns: second-string X-receiver Torrey Smith, second-string slot receiver Ronnie Tyler, third-string slot receiver Adrian Cannon, and third-string running back Morgan Green.
and the Coaches' Polls. It was the first time the team was ranked since Week 11 in 2006. Maryland would rise in the polls, and enter the Harris and BCS rankings after beating NC State the following week. However, after the loss to Virginia Tech, the Terps fell out of the rankings altogether. Maryland made one final poll appearance after the win over North Carolina, before losing to Florida State.
Chris Cosh
would return to Kansas State
to take over as assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator. He joined the staff of the recently re-hired Bill Snyder
, who was Kansas State's head coach from 1996 to 2005. Cosh previously served under Snyder as his linebackers coach
from 2004 to 2005. For the bowl game, Maryland appointed outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson as the interim defensive coordinator. Maryland also lost its special teams and tight ends coach
, Danny Pearman, who was hired by new Clemson
head coach Dabo Swinney
. Pearman was a Clemson alumnus and played there as a tight end from 1984 to 1987. At Alabama
, he coached special teams and the offensive and defensive tackles from 1990 to 1997, during which time Swinney played there as a wide receiver. For Maryland's bowl game, third-year intern Brian White acted as interim tight ends coach, and he assisted head coach Ralph Friedgen in directing the special teams.
After the bowl game, in February 2009, the athletic department named offensive coordinator James Franklin the "head coach-in-waiting", meaning that he would be the eventual successor to Ralph Friedgen. Upon the expiration of Friedgen's contract in January 2012, Franklin will be offered the position or paid a US$1 million contractual buyout. In June 2009, Friedgen said he might like to stay an additional two years past his current contract, but athletic director
Deborah Yow
responded that the school could not afford the buyout. She said that any extension would have to be worked out between Friedgen and Franklin.
appeared in the Texas vs. The Nation Game
. Offensive linemen Edwin Williams
and Jaimie Thomas
participated in the East-West Shrine Game
. Linebacker Moise Fokou
played in the Under Armour
Senior Bowl
. Kevin Barnes
was also selected to participate in the Senior Bowl very early in the season before he suffered a scapular fracture
. He attended the game, but did not play due to his injury.
, which tied North Carolina for the most of any Atlantic Coast Conference team. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine of 4.30 seconds, was selected by the Oakland Raiders
as the seventh overall pick, far higher than most analysts had anticipated. Cornerback Kevin Barnes
, who had scored the highest grade on the intelligence test
at the combine, was selected in the third round by the Washington Redskins
. Linebacker Moise Fokou
, guard Jaimie Thomas
, and tight end Dan Gronkowski
were all selected in the seventh round.
Additionally, several former Terrapins were signed by NFL teams as free agents shortly after the draft. These consisted of: linebacker Dave Philistin
, center Edwin Williams
, wide receiver Isaiah Williams
, defensive end Jeremy Navarre
, offensive tackle Scott Burley
, linebacker Chase Bullock
, offensive tackle Dane Randolph
, and defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi
.
, running back Da'Rel Scott
, and center Edwin Williams
. Linebacker Alex Wujciak
was named to the second team. Offensive linemen Scott Burley
and Jaimie Thomas
, tight end Dan Gronkowski
, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
, and defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre
were named as honorable mention All-ACC players.
Sources:
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. It was the Terrapins' (also officially known as the "Terps") 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
(ACC) and its fourth within the framework of the ACC Atlantic Division.
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
led the team for his eighth season as head coach and was assisted by first-year offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
James Franklin and third-year defensive coordinator
Defensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Chris Cosh
Chris Cosh
Chris Cosh , is an American football coach and currently holds the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Kansas State University...
. It was the first season since the departure of Charlie Taaffe
Charlie Taaffe
Charlie Taaffe is an American football coach. He currently serves as offensive coordinator for the UCF Knights. Taaffe's coaching career stretches back to 1973, when he was an offensive coach for the University at Albany...
in 2005 that Friedgen did not call the offensive plays himself. Instead, those duties were handled by Franklin, a former Maryland wide receivers coach
Wide receivers coach
A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
, who returned after a brief stint at Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
and in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL). With him, Franklin brought a new system: the West Coast offense
West Coast offense
In American football, "West Coast Offense" refers to two similar but distinct offensive-strategic-systems of play: the "Air Coryell" system; or more commonly the pass play system popularized by Bill Walsh...
. Cosh, whose complex defensive scheme had been criticized as too passive, resigned at the end of the season.
The 2008 season in the ACC
2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season
The 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference football season was the 56th season that the Atlantic Coast Conference participated in National Collegiate Athletic Association college football...
was described as chaotic, and for Maryland, there was no exception. The Terrapins were within grasp of the ACC Atlantic Division championship at the end of Week 12, but lost their final two games and fell to a four-way tie for third place. Maryland closed the regular season with a 7–5 record—including four wins against Top 25-ranked teams—which was enough to secure bowl eligibility. In the postseason, Maryland defeated Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
of the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
in the Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
.
Coaching changes
In December 2007, Maryland hired Kansas StateKansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
offensive coordinator James Franklin to serve in that same role for the Terrapins. From 2000 to 2004, he was the Maryland wide receivers coach
Wide receivers coach
A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
. In 2003 and 2004, he also served as the recruiting coordinator, and Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
ranked Franklin as one of the nation's top-25 recruiters both years. Because of the arrival of Franklin, 2008 was the first since 2005 that head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
did not call the offensive plays himself. At Maryland, Franklin installed a West Coast offense
West Coast offense
In American football, "West Coast Offense" refers to two similar but distinct offensive-strategic-systems of play: the "Air Coryell" system; or more commonly the pass play system popularized by Bill Walsh...
, which was well suited to quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
's playing style and an experienced wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
corps that included play-maker Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
and sure-handed Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
.
Key losses
Maryland lost several important players from the 2007 team2007 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 2007 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was the Terrapins' 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and its third within the...
. In January 2008, shortly after Oregon State
2007 Oregon State Beavers football team
The 2007 Oregon State Beavers football team represented Oregon State University in the college football season of 2007-2008. The team's head coach is Mike Riley. Home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.-Season notes:...
defeated Maryland in the Emerald Bowl
2007 Emerald Bowl
The 2007 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2007-08 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2007, at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, with the Atlantic Coast Conference represented by the Maryland Terrapins against the Oregon State Beavers, representing the Pacific-10...
, linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Erin Henderson
Erin Henderson
Erin Henderson is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
announced that he would forgo his senior year to enter the 2008 NFL Draft
2008 NFL Draft
The 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
. Henderson, the brother of Butkus and Bednarik Award winner E.J., had recorded an ACC-high four fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
recoveries in 2007 and was the Terrapins' leader in total tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
(133) and tackles for loss (11). The defensive line lost tackles Dre Moore
Dre Moore
Marchondray James "Dre" Moore is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
and Carlos Feliciano, while the secondary unit
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
lost both starting safeties, strong safety Christian Varner and free safety J. J. Justice, as well as cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Isaiah Gardner
Isaiah Gardner
Isaiah Gardner is a Canadian football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
. The Maryland offense lost tailback
Tailback
Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
s Lance Ball
Lance Ball
Lance Ball is an American football running back who is a member of the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
and Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore
Keon Lattimore is an American football running back who is currently an NFL free agent and also played for the Trenton Steel in the SIFL. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland.Lattimore has also been a member of the...
who combined for 1,573 rushing
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
yards and 25 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s in 2007. The offensive line saw the departure of tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s Jason Goode
Jason Goode
Jason Goode is an American football tight end for the Maryland Maniacs of the Indoor Football League. Goode has previously spent time with the Washington Redskins and the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He played college football at Maryland...
and Joey Haynos
Joey Haynos
Joey Haynos is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, and offensive guard Andrew Crummey
Andrew Crummey
Andrew Crummey was an American football guard for the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Maryland...
.
Key returns
Despite the loss of some of the previous year's important players, Maryland entered the 2008 season with a seasoned squad. Forty-six of sixty-two lettermen returned (74 percent), which included ten offensive and six defensive startersStarting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
. The 2008 team contained 31 seniors, which was the largest group since Friedgen became head coach in 2001. Important returnees on the defensive unit included cornerback Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
, who recorded four interceptions in 2007; defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
, who had recorded 5.5 sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
s; and linebacker Dave Philistin
Dave Philistin
Dave Philistin is an American football linebacker. He played for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. Philistin is a 2011 UFL Draft choice of the Las Vegas Locomotives.-Early years:...
, who had recorded 124 tackles. The offense's returning statistical leaders included quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
, who threw for 1,958 passing
Forward pass
In several forms of football a forward pass is when the ball is thrown in the direction that the offensive team is trying to move, towards the defensive team's goal line...
yards in 2007; wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
, who had 786 receiving
Reception (American football)
In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving...
yards; and running back Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, who had 135 rushing yards.
Recruiting
The 2008 recruiting class was ranked 52nd in the nation by Scout.comScout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
and 38th by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
. Scout.com rated three recruits as four-star and six as three-star prospects, while Rivals.com rated six recruits each as four-star and three-star prospects. Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate is an American football player. He plays college football as a safety for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He was recruited as a wide receiver, but as a true freshman in 2008, was converted to the safety position...
, who was originally recruited as a wide receiver, was the only four-star prospect to see significant playing time in 2008. Before the season, he was converted to safety, a position that had been attrited by the graduation of former starters Christian Varner and J.J. Justice, and Tate also saw action on special teams. Cornerback Cameron Chism, who saw action in nine games as a reserve, recorded seven tackles on kickoff returns to tie for second on the team in special teams tackles. Tight end Matt Furstenburg saw limited play time on special teams against Delaware and Middle Tennessee
2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team
The 2008 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Middle Tennessee competed as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The team...
, but injured his foot and was awarded a medical redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
. Wide receiver Kevin Dorsey also sat out the season as a redshirt to recuperate from foot surgery. The other four-star recruits who sat out on redshirt status were wide receiver Kerry Boykins, tight end Devonte Campbell, and defensive tackle Masengo Kabongo. Running back Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
, the son of former New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
star Dave Meggett
Dave Meggett
David Lee Meggett is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for the New York Giants , New England Patriots , and the New York Jets . He played college football at Morgan State University and Towson University...
, was the only true freshman to start a game for Maryland in 2008, and he was a significant contributor throughout the season. Meggett was not a highly touted recruit, assessed by Scout.com as a two-star prospect, and his only other scholarship
Athletic scholarship
An athletic scholarship is a form of scholarship to attend a college or university awarded to an individual based predominantly on his or her ability to play in a sport...
offers were from local-area Division I FCS schools. In 2008, however, he led all ACC freshman with 5.13 yards per carry
Carry (American football)
In American football, a carry is a statistical term equivalent to a single rushing play. The term is typically used in reference to "yards per carry," meaning yards per attempt rushing the ball. Any offensive player who performs a carry is known as a ballcarrier, regardless of position....
, and Megett finished the season with 457 yards and four touchdowns as a reserve.
Quarterback controversy
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
selected senior Jordan Steffy as the starting quarterback over junior Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
. In 2007, when Steffy suffered a concussion against 10th-ranked Rutgers
2007 Rutgers Scarlet Knights football team
For the first time in the history of Rutgers football, the team entered a season ranked - 16th in both the Associated Press and Coaches polls. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with an 8-5 record that included a 52-30 victory over the Ball State Cardinals in the 2008 International Bowl...
, the relatively untested Turner took over and led Maryland to an upset victory. He then started the remainder of the season, compiled a 4–5 record in games he started, and led another upset against eighth-ranked Boston College. In comparing the practice performances of Steffy, Turner, and third-stringer Josh Portis
Josh Portis
Josh Portis is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was highly touted as one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospects out of high school...
, offensive coordinator James Franklin said:
It gets hard if one quarterback all through spring and all through summer camp was statistically better in almost every single category, it's hard to rationalize not making him the starter ... because your gut feeling is one thing and the statistics are another. Jordan led by a pretty large amount in completion percentage ... [and] the least interceptionInterception (football)An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
percentage. He didn't lead in yards per [attempt or] ... percentage of explosive plays. I consider an explosive play a play of 16 yards or more ... Portis led in that and Turner was second and Jordan was third.
In the season opener against Delaware, Steffy suffered an injured thumb, and Turner took over in the fourth quarter. He remained the starter for the rest of the season, and Steffy saw no further game action. Portis saw limited playing time throughout the season, usually being put in for a single option
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
play at a time.
Schedule
The SagarinJeff Sagarin
Jeff Sagarin is an American sports statistician well-known for his development of a methodology for ranking and rating sports teams in a variety of sports...
computer rating system calculated Maryland's strength of schedule
Strength of schedule
In sports, strength of schedule refers to the difficulty or ease of a team's/person's opponent as compared to other teams/persons. This is especially important if teams in a league do not play each other the same number of times.-Computation:...
to be 36th-most difficult out of the 245 Division I teams. The Cosgrove Computer Rankings calculated it as the 56th-most difficult out of the 120 Division I FBS teams. In accordance with conference rules, Maryland faced all five Atlantic Division opponents: Boston College
2008 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by...
, Clemson
2008 Clemson Tigers football team
The 2008 Clemson football team represented Clemson University in the 2008 college football season. The Tigers were led by oft-maligned head coach Tommy Bowden, who resigned six games into his tenth season. The interim head coach was assistant coach Dabo Swinney...
, Florida State
2008 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2008 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Florida State's 17th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The previous...
, NC State
2008 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2008 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's Head Coach was Tom O'Brien, who began his second season as the Wolfpack head coach with a 5-7 overall record, and a 3-5 conference record at NCSU. N.C...
, and Wake Forest
2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The Demon Deacons...
. They also faced three Coastal Division opponents: official ACC rival
Maryland–Virginia rivalry
The Maryland–Virginia rivalry, the Virginia–Maryland rivalry, or the Beltway Brawl is an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Maryland Terrapins football team of the University of Maryland and the Virginia Cavaliers football team of the University of Virginia...
Virginia
2008 Virginia Cavaliers Football Team
The 2008 Virginia Cavaliers football team represented the University of Virginia during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Virginia's 55th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Cavaliers were led by...
, North Carolina
2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team originally went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.-Recruiting:The Tar...
, and Virginia Tech
2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team
The 2008 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represents Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach is Frank Beamer. Prior to the season, the Hokies were expected to be in a rebuilding mode, recovering after the...
. Virginia Tech and Boston College were the ACC champions and runners-up, respectively, in 2007 and again in 2008. Maryland did not play ACC opponents Duke
2008 Duke Blue Devils football team
The 2008 Duke Blue Devils football team represented the Duke University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team was led by head coach David Cutcliffe...
, Georgia Tech
2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's coach is former Navy Midshipmen and Georgia Southern Eagles coach Paul Johnson...
, and Miami
2008 Miami Hurricanes football team
-Roster changes:University of Miami safety Kenny Phillips and defensive end Calais Campbell made the decision to forgo their senior years and declare for the NFL Draft. Phillips was drafted in the first round, No. 31 overall by the New York Giants. Campbell was drafted in the second round, No. 50...
.
Maryland also played four non-conference games. For the season opener, the Terrapins met the 2007 Division I FCS runners-up
2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season, part of the college football season, began on August 25, 2007 and concluded on December 14, 2007 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Appalachian State Mountaineers defeated the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens to win the NCAA Division I Football...
, Delaware. California
2008 California Golden Bears football team
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford...
of the Pacific-10 Conference was played for the first time in school history as the first half of a home-and-home series. Athletic director Deborah Yow
Deborah Yow
Deborah A. Yow is an American college sports administrator and former college basketball coach. She is currently the director of athletics at North Carolina State University, and formerly held the same position at the University of Maryland and Saint Louis University...
wanted to play one of the University of Maryland's five academic peer institutions, and to take a two-year hiatus from the 28-year series
Maryland–West Virginia rivalry
The Maryland–West Virginia football rivalry is an American college football rivalry game played by the Maryland terrapins football team of the University of Maryland and the West Virginia Mountaineers football team of West Virginia University. The two teams first played in 1919 and the...
against West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
. She said, by adding California, "We weren't trying to add to the degree of difficulty [of Maryland's schedule]; we were trying to substitute for West Virginia." Games were also played against Middle Tennessee State of the Sun Belt Conference
Sun Belt Conference
The Sun Belt Conference is a college athletic conference that has been affiliated with the NCAA's Division I since 1976. Its football teams participate in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , the higher of two levels of Division I football competition . The Sun Belt has member institutions...
and Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan Eagles football
The Eastern Michigan Eagles are a college football program at Eastern Michigan University. They compete in Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Mid-American Conference...
of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. For the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
, Maryland played Nevada
Nevada Wolf Pack football
The Nevada Wolf Pack Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno in college football. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA...
in the teams' first meeting.
Injuries
Injuries had devastated the Maryland roster the previous year, and while 2008 was more forgiving by comparison, several key players were injured. Starting cornerback Kevin BarnesKevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
suffered a season-ending scapular fracture
Scapular fracture
A scapular fracture is a fracture of the scapula, the shoulder blade. The scapula is sturdy and located in a protected place, so it rarely breaks. When it does, it is an indication that the individual was subjected to a considerable amount of force and that severe chest trauma may be present. ...
against Wake Forest
2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team
The 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team represented Wake Forest University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Wake Forest's 56th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The Demon Deacons...
and missed the last six games. Sophomore LaQuan Williams and true freshman Kevin Dorsey, both wide receivers, sat out the entire season due to leg and foot injuries, respectively. Leading receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey sat out the Boston College game due to a calf injury, and leading rusher Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
suffered a left shoulder injury in the third game against California
2008 California Golden Bears football team
The 2008 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in the college football 2008-2009 season. They played their home games at California Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California and are coached by Jeff Tedford...
, which plagued him throughout the season, although he missed just one game. Running back Morgan Green
Morgan Green
Morgan Green is an American former college and high school football player. He played as a running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He played interscholastic football for Henry E...
, who had contended for the starting position during summer camp, had an injury-riddled season, before seeing his first real action in the bowl game. Starting quarterback Jordan Steffy was put out for the season by a thumb injury on his throwing hand in the first game.
Depth chart
| Information as of December 10, 2008 | |||||||||||
OFFENSE X-receiver
Left tackle
Left guard
Center
Right guard
Right tackle
Tight end-Y Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Tailback Tailback Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Z-receiver
F-receiver
Tight end-F Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
|
DEFENSE Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Nose tackle
Defensive tackle
LEO linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
SAM linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
MIKE linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
WILL linebacker Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Free safety
Strong safety
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
|
SPECIAL TEAMS Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Kickoff specialist Kickoff specialist A kickoff specialist is a seldom-used position in American and Canadian football. Kickoff specialists are members of the special teams. They are responsible to kick the ball in the kickoff...
Punter
Punt returner Punt returner Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
Kick returner Kick returner In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
Holder Holder (American football) In American football the holder is the player who receives the snap during field goal and extra point attempts made by place kick. The holder is usually positioned between seven and eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder kneels down and places the hand farthest from the line of...
Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
Deep snapper
|
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Injured:
 LaQuan Williams LaQuan Williams is an American football wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Maryland.-Early life:... – So-1V Kevin Barnes (American football) Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft... – Sr-3V |
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|
---- |
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Fr: Freshman So: Sophomore Jr: Junior Sr: Senior V: Number of prior seasons varsity experience RS: Redshirt status prior season TR: Sat out prior season due to NCAA transfer rules SQ: Practice squad prior season HS: High school experience only |
Boldface indicates a starting player for the respective position. An "up" arrow (↑) indicates upward movement in depth chart Depth chart In sports, a depth chart is used to show the placements of the starting players and the secondary players. Generally a starting player will be listed first or on top while a back-up will be listed below... position from earlier in the season. A "down" arrow (↓) indicates downward movement in depth chart position from earlier in the season. A horizontal arrow (↔) indicates movement to a different position from earlier in the season. An asterisk (*) indicates that the player recovered from an injury to take a place on the depth chart. |
|
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| Bold indicates starter as of September 28, 2008 | ||||||
OFFENSE X-receiver
Left tackle
Left guard
Center
Right guard
Right tackle
Tight end Tight end The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Tailback Tailback Tailback can mean:* Halfback * A line of motor vehicles caught up in traffic congestion; a traffic jam...
Fullback Fullback (American football) A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Z-receiver
F-receiver
TE-F
---- Injured:
|
DEFENSE Defensive end Defensive end Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Nose tackle
Defensive tackle
LEO Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
SAM Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
MIKE Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
WILL Linebacker A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Free safety
Strong safety
Cornerback Cornerback A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
---- Injured:
|
SPECIAL TEAMS Placekicker Placekicker Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Kickoff specialist Kickoff specialist A kickoff specialist is a seldom-used position in American and Canadian football. Kickoff specialists are members of the special teams. They are responsible to kick the ball in the kickoff...
Punter
Punt returner Punt returner Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
Kick returner Kick returner In American and Canadian football, a kick returner is the player on special teams who is primarily responsible to catch kickoffs and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the ball is in the...
Holder Holder (American football) In American football the holder is the player who receives the snap during field goal and extra point attempts made by place kick. The holder is usually positioned between seven and eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder kneels down and places the hand farthest from the line of...
Long snapper Long snapper In American football and Canadian football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. His job is to snap the ball as quickly and accurately as possible....
Deep snapper
|
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|
|
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Coaching staff
| Name | Position | Current seasons | Previous seasons | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ralph Friedgen Ralph Friedgen Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers... |
Head coach | 8 | 5 | Maryland Maryland Terrapins football The Maryland Terrapins football team represents the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition. The Terrapins compete within the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... (1970) |
| James Franklin | Assistant head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach | 1 | 5 | East Stroudsburg (1995) |
| Chris Cosh Chris Cosh Chris Cosh , is an American football coach and currently holds the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Kansas State University... † |
Defensive coordinator, inside linebackers coach (regular season) | 3 | 1 | Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Hokies football The Virginia Tech Hokies football team is a college football program that competes in NCAA Division I-FBS, in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They have more wins in team history than any other program in the ACC. Their home games are played at Lane Stadium which seats over... (1983) |
| Lee Hull | Wide receivers coach | 1 | – | Holy Cross (1988) |
| Tom Brattan | Offensive line coach | 8 | – | Delaware (1972) |
| John Donovan | Running backs coach | 8 | – | Johns Hopkins Johns Hopkins Blue Jays The Johns Hopkins University's intercollegiate sports teams are called the Blue Jays , and they compete in the NCAA's Division III, except for the lacrosse teams that compete in Division I. They are primarily members of the Centennial Conference. The team colors are Columbia blue and black, and... (1997) |
| Kevin Lempa | Secondary coach | 2 | – | Southern Connecticut State (1974) |
| Al Seamonson‡ | Outside linebackers coach, special teams assistant | 7 | – | Wisconsin Wisconsin Badgers football The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football... (1982) |
| Interim defensive coordinator (bowl game) | ||||
| Dave Sollazzo | Defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator | 8 | 3 | The Citadel (1977) |
| Danny Pearman† | Special teams, tight ends (regular season) | 1 | – | Clemson Clemson Tigers football The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference... (1988) |
| Dwight Galt | Strength and conditioning coach | 17 | 6 | Maryland (1981) |
| Brian White‡ | Intern | 3 | – | Juniata College Juniata College Juniata College is a private liberal arts college located in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. It is named after the Juniata River — one of the principal tributaries of the Susquehanna River. In 1876 it became the first college founded by the Church of the Brethren and has been co-educational since... |
| Interim tight ends, assistant special teams (bowl game) | ||||
| Legend | ||||
| A vacated position An interim position |
|
|||
Delaware
- Opponent pre-game record: 0–0
- Opponent final record: 4–8
- Pre-game line: Lines are not released for games between FBS and FCS teams
The previous season, Delaware finished as the Division I FCS championship runners-up and scored more than 40 points in seven of 15 games. However, their star quarterback, Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco
Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted player ever from the University of Delaware...
, and running back, Omar Cuff
Omar Cuff
Anthony Omar Cuff is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, both graduated and went on to the NFL. Later in the season, the Blue Hens finished 2008 with eight losses for the first time in school history.
Delaware kicked off
Kickoff (American football)
A kickoff is a method of starting a drive in American football and Canadian football. Typically, a kickoff consists of one team – the "kicking team" – kicking the ball to the opposing team – the "receiving team"...
to start the game, and wide receiver Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
returned the ball 23 yards to the Maryland 32-yard line. Quarterback Jordan Steffy then led a Maryland drive, but the series ended when placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
Obi Egekeze
Obi Egekeze
Chukweume Obi Egekeze is an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Maryland from 2006 to 2008. He was the team's starting placekicker in 2007 and 2008, scoring 164 points, kicking 32 field goals, and converting 68 consecutive extra points without a miss...
missed a 48-yard field goal
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
attempt. On the next Maryland possession, Egekeze missed another field goal attempt, this time of 45 yards. The teams then exchanged several punts before Maryland took over on the Delaware 48-yard line. Steffy completed a 36-yard pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
, which set up a 12-yard touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
rush also by Heyward-Bey. Delaware drove 44 yards, but then missed their own 46-yard field goal attempt. With 3:33 left in the half, Steffy engineered a 47-yard drive to set up a 41-yard field goal attempt, which Egekeze missed for the third time. On the first play of the second half, Delaware quarterback Rob Schoenhoft threw an interception
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
to cornerback Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
, who returned it 10 yards to the Delaware 46-yard line. On the next play, Steffy threw an interception to Erik Johnson, who returned it to the Maryland 49-yard line. The Terrapins' next possession ended when, fourth and 18, Steffy threw another interception at the Delaware one-yard line. Incidentally, this put the Blue Hens in worse field position than if the Terrapins had turned over on downs
Turnover on downs
In American football, a turnover on downs occurs when a team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage.A team has four chances to gain ten yards or to score. Any ground gained during one down short of these ten yards is kept for the next chance...
. Soon after, Delaware punt
Punt (football)
In some codes of football, a punt is a play in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it touches the ground. A punt is in contrast to a drop kick, in which the ball touches the ground before being kicked....
ed the ball away. Running back Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
then rushed for a 30-yard gain, which set up a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
. Chris Turner took over as Maryland's quarterback on the second series of the fourth quarter after Steffy fractured his right thumb. On Delaware's subsequent possession, Schoenhoft engineered an 80-yard drive, which culminated with a one-yard touchdown rush by running back Johnathan Smith. With 3:20 on the clock, Schoenhoft threw an interception to safety Terrell Skinner. Turner then scrambled
Quarterback scramble
A quarterback scramble or scramble is an impromptu maneuver or run in American football and Canadian football by a quarterback. If a quarterback is under pressure by an opposing team's defense, he may run forward, backward, or laterally in an attempt to avoid being tackled behind the line of...
for a first down, and Scott converted for a second first down, which allowed Maryland to run out the game clock. Maryland won, with a final score of 14–7.
In his first career start, Scott ran for 157 yards, but Friedgen thought he could have done better. Friedgen said, "He was a little tired from camp ... Normally, he would break some of those runs. I don't think he quite had his third gear today." Steffy played a solid first half, but in the second, threw two interceptions before suffering a season-ending thumb fracture. He was replaced by back-up Chris Turner who started for the remainder of the season. Regarding their loss, Delaware head coach K.C. Keeler said, "This is not like a moral victory. I don't believe in moral victories ... This was not a payday for us ... We play a home game, we make more money than playing this game down here. When we scheduled this game, I thought our program would possibly be in a position to beat a solid ACC school."
Middle Tennessee State
- Opponent pre-game record: 0–1
- Opponent final record: 5–7
- Pre-game line: Maryland −13
The previous week, Middle Tennessee made two rapid-fire fourth quarter touchdowns in a failed comeback attempt against the eventual Sun Belt Conference champions, Troy
Troy Trojans football
The Troy Trojans football program represents Troy University, Alabama, in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, of which it has been a member since 2001...
. The week following the Maryland game, Middle Tennessee nearly upset Kentucky
2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team
The 2008 Kentucky Wildcats football team represented the University of Kentucky in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Rich Brooks, who served his sixth year in the position...
. The Blue Raiders lost that game, 20–14, after wide receiver Eldred King caught a 61-yard pass only to be ankle-tackled at the Kentucky one-yard line as time expired.
After receiving the kickoff, Middle Tennessee quarterback Joe Craddock led an 80-yard, 10-play drive. It included a fake punt that caught Maryland off-guard, which allowed the punter to complete a 28-yard pass for a first-down conversion. Craddock ended the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass. On Maryland's second offensive play of the game, Da'Rel Scott broke free for a 63-yard run for a touchdown. In the second quarter, Middle Tennessee re-took the lead with a 31-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Turner threw an interception that was returned 25 yards to the Maryland five-yard line, and Middle Tennessee subsequently scored on a rushing play. On Maryland's next possession, Turner completed a short pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey who ran for an 80-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Maryland advanced inside the Middle Tennessee 35-yard line three times, but was unable to capitalize. Middle Tennessee defenders saved two potential touchdowns with interceptions on their own two-yard line and in the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
to preserve a Blue Raider victory, 24–14.
The game marked Middle Tennessee's first ever win over an ACC opponent, although they had come close in Charlottesville
Charlottesville, Virginia
Charlottesville is an independent city geographically surrounded by but separate from Albemarle County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III of the United Kingdom.The official population estimate for...
the year prior, when Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
made a go-ahead field goal with eight seconds remaining. It was Middle Tennessee's fourth win against an opponent from a Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) conference. The other three all came against Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt Commodores football
The Vanderbilt Commodores football program is a college football team that represents Vanderbilt University. The team currently competes in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Southeastern Conference...
.
California (#23)
- Opponent pre-game record: 2–0
- Opponent final record: 9–4
- Pre-game line: Maryland +14
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
called the previous week's ten-point loss to Middle Tennessee the "worst defeat of [Ralph Friedgen's] eight-year tenure," and with the narrow margin of victory over Delaware, most analysts strongly favored 23-ranked California in its first meeting against Maryland. The previous week, California routed Washington State
2008 Washington State Cougars football team
The 2008 Washington State Cougars football team represented Washington State University in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's head coach was Paul Wulff. It played its home games at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington...
, 66–3.
The game began with a Maryland kickoff to California, who were stopped for a net loss of 4 yards and forced to punt. On Maryland's first possession, it mounted a 60-yard drive that culminated in a 24-yard touchdown rush by Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
. California quarterback Kevin Riley then threw an interception to cornerback Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
, which allowed Scott to rush for his second score of the game. California made a field goal, but on the following series, Maryland drove 60 yards and tight end Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
made a touchdown reception. The Golden Bears made another field goal to end the first half with a score of 21–6, in Maryland's favor. During the second quarter, Riley threw a short screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
to running back Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best
Jahvid Andre Best is a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected by the Lions with the 30th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the California Golden Bears, setting several records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and...
, who immediately received a hard hit from Maryland cornerback Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
. While still laying on the field, Best rolled to his side to vomit. Footage of the tackle and its aftermath circulated widely on the internet and became a viral video
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
phenomenon. In the third period, Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
completed a pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
for a 27-yard touchdown to end the quarter with Maryland in the lead, 28–6. In the final period, California scored two touchdowns against a preventative defense
Prevent defense
Prevent defense is an American football defensive alignment that uses seven or more defensive backs or players in a defensive back role, the goal of which is to prevent the opposing offense from completing a long pass...
, before Maryland responded with a fifth score on a one-yard rush by Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
. In the final minutes, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze missed a 27-yard field goal which would have clinched the victory. Instead, California scored a third touchdown to close within eight points. With 1:55 remaining to play, California attempted an onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
, but it bounced out of bounds, and Maryland was able to run out the clock
Running out the clock
In sports, running out the clock refers to the practice of a winning team allowing the clock to expire through a series of pre-selected plays, either to preserve a lead or hasten the end of a one-sided contest.- American football :...
to win the upset, 35–28.
The Maryland offense scored five touchdowns against California, which bettered the combined total of four in the Terrapins' first two games. California running back Jahvid Best
Jahvid Best
Jahvid Andre Best is a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was selected by the Lions with the 30th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. In college, he played for the California Golden Bears, setting several records, including most all-purpose yards in a single season and...
, an early Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award , is awarded annually to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. It was created in 1935 as the Downtown Athletic Club trophy and renamed in 1936 following the death of the Club's athletic director, John Heisman The Heisman Memorial...
contender, ran for 311 yards in his first two games, but was held to 25 yards on 10 carries against Maryland. In total, California's rushing offense was held to 38 yards. This was the first of four Maryland victories over ranked opponents during the 2008 season.
Eastern Michigan
- Opponent pre-game record: 1–2
- Opponent final record: 3–9
- Pre-game line: Maryland −21
Against Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
opponent Eastern Michigan, Maryland showcased its offense, which scored on nine out of thirteen possessions. Starting tailback Da'Rel Scott sat out the game because of a shoulder injury suffered against California, and he was replaced by Morgan Green
Morgan Green
Morgan Green is an American former college and high school football player. He played as a running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He played interscholastic football for Henry E...
.
Linebacker Adrian Moten blocked an Eastern Michigan punt, which gave Maryland excellent field position for their first possession on their opponents' 10-yard line. They were, however, were held to a field goal. Eastern Michigan responded with a 75-yard drive to the Maryland five-yard line, but threw an interception to safety Jamari McCollough. Maryland mounted an 80 yard drive, which included a 35-yard run by Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
and culminated in a one-yard touchdown by Morgan Green. After both teams suffered "three-and-out" possessions, Eastern Michigan quarterback Kyle McMahon threw a second interception to Moten, which set up a second touchdown by Green. Eastern Michigan drove 80 yards in 11 plays, and running back Terrence Blevins ran for a touchdown to bring the score to 17–7. Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
returned the ensuing 59-yard kickoff 57 yards, which set up a 32-yard touchdown pass from Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
to Heyward-Bey. Eastern Michigan then drove 80 yards for another touchdown. On the subsequent Maryland possession, Turner threw an interception to end the half with the score of 24–14. On the kickoff to start the second half, Smith returned the ball 27 yards. On the next play, Heyward-Bey gained 47 yards on a rush attempt, which set up a short touchdown pass to tight end Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
. On the next two series, the teams traded field goals which brought the score to 34–17. Turner threw another interception to start the fourth quarter, but linebacker Trey Covington then recorded a quarterback sack
Quarterback sack
In American football and Canadian football, a sack occurs when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a forward pass, or when the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage in the "pocket" and the intent of what he was going to do is unclear...
, which forced Eastern Michigan to turnover on downs
Turnover on downs
In American football, a turnover on downs occurs when a team fails to convert a fourth down into a first down by gaining the required yardage.A team has four chances to gain ten yards or to score. Any ground gained during one down short of these ten yards is kept for the next chance...
. Turner was then sacked himself, and Maryland kicked a field goal. Eastern Michigan engineered an 80-yard drive for a touchdown, and closed the deficit to 37–24. Maryland reserve quarterback Josh Portis
Josh Portis
Josh Portis is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was highly touted as one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospects out of high school...
execute a lateral
Lateral pass
In American football, a lateral pass or lateral, officially backward pass , occurs when the ball carrier throws the football to any teammate behind him or directly next to him...
to wide receiver Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
who in turn passed to receiver Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams is an American football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
, which gained a 43-yard touchdown. Eastern Michigan was subsequently forced to punt, and Portis rushed 80 yards over six plays for the final touchdown. In the next series, Jamari McCoullough intercepted an Eastern Michigan pass to end the game, 51–24.
Clemson (#20)
- Opponent pre-game record: 3–1
- Opponent final record: 7–6
- Pre-game line: Maryland +12
Maryland traveled to Clemson to play in "Death Valley
Memorial Stadium, Clemson
Frank Howard Field at Memorial Stadium, popularly known as Death Valley, is home to the Clemson University Tigers, a NCAA Division I-A football team, located in Clemson, South Carolina...
", traditionally one of the most difficult ACC venues for opponents to play. Clemson firmly held the momentum of the game for the first half, and their running backs exploited holes in the Maryland defensive line. During that time, Clemson recorded two touchdowns and a field goal. Despite gaining excellent field position through recovering a fumbled punt on the Clemson 19-yard line and a recovered fumble on the Clemson 30-yard line, Maryland was able to produce just two field goals from those turnovers. The Terrapins drives were also blunted by penalties for two false starts and a holding call.
In the first possession of the second half, the Terrapins were forced to punt after a run attempt for loss, a false start penalty, and two incomplete passes. The Maryland defense took the field and stopped a Clemson drive. On the first play of their second series, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
executed a reverse
Reverse (American football)
A reverse is a relatively common trick play in American football that involves one or more abrupt changes in the lateral flow of a rushing play.-Variations:...
to gain 76 yards before being stopped at the Clemson four-yard line. This set up a short Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
touchdown pass to receiver Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, and shifted the game's momentum in favor of Maryland. In the fourth quarter, three completions to Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
set the stage for a one-yard rush into the endzone by Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
. In the second half, the Maryland defense allowed Clemson just 31 rushing yards and zero points, compared with 204 rushing yards and 17 points in the first half.
The upset marked the fourth consecutive Maryland win against a ranked opponent (the others: #23 Cal, and, in the 2007 season, #8 Boston College and #10 Rutgers). It was also the fourth consecutive time that the visiting team has won the Maryland–Clemson series.
Virginia
- Opponent pre-game record: 1–3
- Opponent final record: 5–7
- Pre-game line: Maryland −13.5
The Maryland offense had difficulty converting third downs, and managed only four on 13 attempts, while their defense allowed 226 passing yards and 201 rushing yards. Late in the first quarter, Virginia quarterback Marc Verica
Marc Verica
Marc Verica is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2011, out of the University of Virginia...
completed a pass to receiver Kevin Ogletree
Kevin Ogletree
Kevin Ogletree is an American football player currently with the Dallas Cowboys. He was a 2-time honorable mention All-ACC wide receiver for the Virginia Cavaliers. He declared for the 2009 NFL Draft as a junior following the 2008 season, but was not drafted...
for a 51-yard touchdown, the Cavs' first passing score of the season. Virginia was able to score twice more before half, to put the Terrapins into a 21–0 deficit. With seconds left in the second quarter, in a desperate gambit to recoup some points, quarterback Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
attempted a hook and ladder play with a pass to Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams is an American football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
who then lateraled to Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
, who in turn lateraled to Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
. The maneuver picked up 45 yards before Scott was shoved out of bounds, and a flag was thrown for a late hit by Virginia. Since a half cannot end on a defensive penalty, time would have been added to the clock, but it was ruled that the foul occurred after time had expired. Therefore, the penalty was assessed after the kick-off, and the Terrapins' trick play was for naught.
In the third quarter, things got worse for Maryland as the Cavaliers added a field goal and another touchdown. In a final drive for 46 yards, Maryland attempted to avert a shutout. The effort fell short when a Turner pass was intercepted. The final result was 31–0.
It was the first time Maryland was shut out since 2004, when they were similarly defeated by Virginia in Charlottesville, 16–0. It was Maryland's worst shutout loss since losing to Virginia in 1997, 45–0, and the largest margin of loss since losing to Virginia Tech in 2004, 55–6.
Wake Forest (#21)
- Opponent pre-game record: 4–1
- Opponent final record: 8–5
- Pre-game line: Maryland +1.5
After an embarrassing 31–0 loss against struggling Virginia, the Terrapins continued their inconsistent season against nationally-ranked Atlantic Division front-runner 21st-ranked Wake Forest.
Maryland first scored with a halfback option
Halfback option play
The halfback option play is an unorthodox play in American football. It resembles a normal running play, but the running back has the option to throw a pass to a wide receiver or tight end before crossing the line of scrimmage....
, when Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
pitched to Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, who connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
for a nine-yard pass into the end zone. In the second and third quarters, Maryland placekicker Obi Egekeze
Obi Egekeze
Chukweume Obi Egekeze is an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Maryland from 2006 to 2008. He was the team's starting placekicker in 2007 and 2008, scoring 164 points, kicking 32 field goals, and converting 68 consecutive extra points without a miss...
made four field goals. In the final quarter, Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
brought down a short pass from Turner and ran it in past two defenders for a touchdown totaling 50 yards.
Against Wake Forest's best-ranked pass defense in the nation, Chris Turner threw for a season-high of 321 yards and a career-best 68% completion rate (28–41). Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott twice fumbled to give Wake Forest excellent field position, but both opportunities were wasted with missed field goal attempts. Wake Forest's leading scorer, placekicker Sam Swank, was out due to injury.
Ralph Friedgen stated that "We finally put a full game together. I think by far it's the best we've played all year." It was Maryland's fifth consecutive defeat of a ranked opponent, and the third of the season, making them 3–0 against ranked opponents, but just 2–2 against all others. The game also marked the first time that Wake Forest had been held scoreless in 124 games when it lost to Air Force
Air Force Falcons football
The Air Force Falcons are a college football team from the United States Air Force Academy, located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the NCAA Division I and the Mountain West Conference.-Style:...
in 1998, and it was the first time since 1957 that the Terrapins had bounced back to shut out an opponent following a shutout of their own. The last Maryland shutout of a ranked opponent was in 1955 against UCLA
UCLA Bruins Football
The UCLA Bruins football program represents the University of California, Los Angeles in college football as members of the Pacific-12 Conference at the NCAA Division I FBS level. The Bruins have enjoyed several periods of success in their history, having been ranked in the top ten of the AP Poll...
.
NC State
- Opponent pre-game record: 2–5
- Opponent final record: 6–7
- Pre-game line: Maryland −12
In a frigid driving rain at College Park
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
, NC State brought an inspired effort in an attempt to break a three-game losing streak. In the first series of the game, the Wolfpack used 14 plays and 8 minutes to drive 73 yards and score first. Maryland immediately responded with a drive that ended with a 13-yard Turner pass to Dan Gronkowski. In the following series, NC State again scored a touchdown, and Maryland kicked a field goal in response. NC State running back Andre Brown
Andre Brown (American football)
Andre Brown is an American football running back who is currently with the New York Giants on the practice squad in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
fumbled on the first play, and Maryland recovered on the Wolfpack 24-yard line. The Terrapins capitalized on the turnover with a Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
run into the endzone. After a Wolfpack field goal, the score was even at halftime, 17–17. In the third quarter, Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
rushed 24 yards for a touchdown. Late in the quarter, Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
fumbled a punt return on the 50-yard line and the Wolfpack recovered. NC State equalized once more with a Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson is a quarterback for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. Wilson formerly played for the NC State Wolfpack football and baseball teams before transferring for his final season of eligibility in 2011...
pass, which brought the score to 24–24.
With 4:50 remaining on the clock, and the ball on their own eight-yard line, Maryland drove 89 yards to the Wolfpack three-yard line, which included a pass to Davin Meggett for 31 yards. This set up a 20-yard field goal attempt by Obi Egekeze with eight seconds on the clock. The kick was good and put Maryland ahead for good, 27–24.
The Wolfpack lost its fourth straight game to remain the only ACC team winless in conference play (ACC: 0–4). The favorite Terrapins once again struggled against an underdog opponent, but managed to edge the Wolfpack and secure a sixth win for bowl eligibility
Bowl eligible
Bowl eligibility in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision College Football is the standard through which teams become available for selection to participate in postseason bowl games. When a team achieves this state, it is described as "bowl-eligible"...
. With it, Maryland was ranked for the first time since 2006, at 25th on the Associated Press
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Coaches' Poll rankings. Interestingly, the fan poll ESPNU
ESPNU
ESPNU is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced by, affiliated with and owned by parent network ESPN. ESPNU originates out of ESPN Regional Television's ESPNU (often referred to as The U) is a television channel that specializes in college sports, and is produced...
Allstate Standings had the Terrapins ranked 14th in the nation, ahead of AP first-ranked Texas and fourth-ranked Oklahoma.
Maryland had a bye in Week 10, while ACC Atlantic rival 16th-ranked Florida State
2008 Florida State Seminoles football team
The 2008 Florida State Seminoles football team represented Florida State University during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Florida State's 17th season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference .The previous...
lost to Georgia Tech
2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 2008 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college football season of 2008-2009. The team's coach is former Navy Midshipmen and Georgia Southern Eagles coach Paul Johnson...
. This allowed Maryland to take the uncontested lead in the Atlantic Division and rise in the AP Poll to number-23 and USA Today Coaches' Poll to number-21. Florida State fell to 24th, while once 19th-ranked Tulsa
2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team
The 2008 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team represented the University of Tulsa in the college football season of 2008–2009. The team's head coach was Todd Graham, in his second year at Tulsa. They played home games at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma and competed in the...
, 20th-ranked Minnesota
2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
The 2008 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was the second under head coach Tim Brewster. They began play on August 30, 2008 at home against Northern Illinois from the Mid-American Conference, and finished the regular season against Iowa, on November 22. It was the Golden Gophers' final...
, 23rd-ranked Oregon
2008 Oregon Ducks football team
The 2008 Oregon Ducks football team represented the University of Oregon in the college football season of 2008. This was the final season for Mike Bellotti as the Ducks' head coach; he was promoted to become the school's athletic director after the season. The Ducks played their home games at...
, and 24th-ranked South Florida
2008 South Florida Bulls football team
The 2008 South Florida Bulls football team will represent the University of South Florida in the 2008 college football season. Their head coach is Jim Leavitt, and the USF Bulls will play all of their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. The 2008 college football season is only the...
were all dropped from the rankings after their own loses.
Virginia Tech
- Opponent pre-game record: 5–3
- Opponent final record: 10–4
- Pre-game line: Maryland +3.5
The two teams met for a Thursday night game at Blacksburg
Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg is an incorporated town located in Montgomery County, Virginia, United States, with a population of 42,620 at the 2010 census. Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and Radford are the three principal jurisdictions of the Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Metropolitan Statistical Area which...
, a time and site where the Hokies have traditionally excelled. In the first quarter, Maryland drove 56 yards, but was held to a 46-yard field goal attempt, which was missed by Obi Egekeze. In the next series, Tech quarterback Sean Glennon
Sean Glennon
Sean Glennon is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent in the National Football League....
led the Hokies on an 80-yard drive that culminated in a short pass to Greg Boone for a score. The next series went into the second quarter, and Maryland was again forced to attempt a field goal, which was made good. Hokies tailback Darren Evans
Darren Evans
Darren Evans is an American football running back who is currently on the Indianapolis Colts active roster. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Virginia Tech....
then broke away for a 50-yard carry to the Maryland 30-yard line, and later capped it with a one-yard rush into the endzone. Before the half, Tech managed a field goal to expand their lead, 17–3.
In the second half, Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
hit Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
for a short bubble screen pass
Screen pass
A screen pass is a type of play in American football. During a screen pass, a number of things happen concurrently in order to fool the defense into thinking a long pass is being thrown, when in fact the pass is merely a short one, just beyond the defensive linemen. Screens are usually deployed...
behind the line of scrimmage, and Heyward-Bey ran it 63 yards for the score. During the next series, the Terrapins were held three-and-out, but the punt was fumbled and recovered by Maryland on the Hokies 11-yard line. However, the Terrapins were again forced to settle for a field goal, which made it a one-possession lead for VT at 20–13 with 2:29 left in the third quarter. In the final quarter, the Hokies managed another field goal and held onto the lead for a final result of 23–13.
Hokies tailback Darren Evans ran for a school-record of 253 yards, and exceeded 100 rushing yards in a game for the first time in his career. The Hokie defense shut down the Terrapins running game and held them to −12 yards on 18 carries. Maryland also proved unable or unwilling to blitz against Sean Glennon, the Tech quarterback hobbled by an ankle injury. Glennon threw for 127 yards and a touchdown.
North Carolina (#16)
- Opponent pre-game record: 7–2
- Opponent final record: 8–5
- Pre-game line: Maryland +3
In another driving rainstorm at College Park
College Park, Maryland
College Park is a city in Prince George's County, Maryland, USA. The population was 30,413 at the 2010 census. It is best known as the home of the University of Maryland, College Park, and since 1994 the city has also been home to the "Archives II" facility of the U.S...
, Maryland met 16th-ranked North Carolina. Maryland's first possession ended as a "three-and-out" series
Three and Out
Three And Out is a 2008 British comedy film directed by Jonathan Gershfield. It premiered in London on the 21 April 2008 and was released in the UK and Ireland on 25 April 2008.-Plot:...
, and the Terrapins elected to punt. The ball was snapped high and sailed over punter Travis Baltz
Travis Baltz
Travis Baltz is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after playing college football for Maryland.-Early years:...
's head. Baltz recovered it in the Maryland end zone for a safety, which averted a possible North Carolina touchdown. Maryland kicked off to North Carolina, and held the Tar Heels to a field goal. On the subsequent possession, Maryland took the lead, 7–5, after a 76-yard drive that culminated with a short run by Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
. On North Carolina's next possession, quarterback Cameron Sexton threw a long pass, which was tipped by Maryland safety Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate is an American football player. He plays college football as a safety for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He was recruited as a wide receiver, but as a true freshman in 2008, was converted to the safety position...
, but deflected into the hands of receiver Cooter Arnold hands, who ran it into the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown. Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
powered 57 yards through the opposing defensive line on nine carries for another touchdown, which put Maryland back in the lead. Shortly before halftime, North Carolina kicked another field goal for the game's fifth lead change. The rain and wind let up in the third quarter, but the waterlogged playing field still presented challenging conditions. North Carolina placekicker Casey Barth struck the left upright on an unsuccessful 28-yard field goal attempt, but the Tar Heels soon recovered a fumble from Maryland back-up quarterback Josh Portis
Josh Portis
Josh Portis is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was highly touted as one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospects out of high school...
. North Carolina failed to capitalize, however, and punted the ball away. Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
engineered a 73-yard drive in 19 plays, which included a scramble for a first down by the typically immobile pocket
Passing pocket
The passing pocket is a term used in American football to describe the area in the backfield that is created on a passing play where the offensive line forms a wall of protection around the quarterback to protect him...
quarterback. That run put Maryland within field goal range, and Egekeze made the 26-yard attempt with 1:42 remaining to play. North Carolina received the kick and managed a first down, but Sexton then threw a 34-yard interception to safety Jamari McCollough. The Terrapins were then able to run run out the play clock to win, 17–15.
The victory was Maryland's sixth consecutive against ranked opponents, which set a new school record. At the time, Maryland was the only team in the nation with four wins over ranked opponents during the 2008 season. Only BCS National Championship Game
BCS National Championship Game
The BCS National Championship Game, or BCS National Championship, is the final bowl game of the annual Bowl Championship Series and is intended by the organizers of the BCS to determine the U.S. national champion of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision...
participants Florida
2008 Florida Gators football team
The 2008 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2008 college football season...
and Oklahoma
2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team
The 2008 Oklahoma Sooners football team represented the University of Oklahoma in the college football season of 2008-2009. It was the 114th year of season play for the Sooners. The team was led by head coach Bob Stoops, a two-time Walter Camp Coach of the Year award winner, who has a contract...
would later finish with more wins against ranked teams. Maryland also improved their home record to 6–0 for the season. Head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
improved his record against North Carolina to 5–1, and kept North Carolina winless in College Park since 1997.
ACC Atlantic Division championship race
The results of that weekend's games improved the clarity of the ACC Championship GameACC Championship Game
The Dr Pepper ACC Championship Game is an American college football game held on the first Saturday in December by the Atlantic Coast Conference each year to determine its football champion. The game pits the champion of the Coastal Division against the champion of the Atlantic Division in a game...
picture, but did not decide it. Maryland improved their ACC record to 4–2 and took the uncontested lead of the Atlantic Division. Florida State lost to Boston College that same day, which meant four teams were still able to secure the division title: Boston College, Florida State, Maryland, and Wake Forest.
Boston College (ACC: 3–3) could travel to the ACC Championship Game if they won out by beating both Wake Forest and Maryland. Boston College eventually did just that, and lost to Virginia Tech in the 2008 ACC Championship Game
2008 ACC Championship Game
The 2008 ACC Championship Game was a college football game between the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Boston College Eagles. The game, sponsored by Dr. Pepper, was the final regular-season contest of the 2008 college football season for the Atlantic Coast Conference...
. Florida State (ACC: 4–3) would have won the Atlantic Division if they beat Maryland, Maryland beat Boston College, and Boston College beat Wake Forest. Under those circumstances, Florida State would have finished with a 5–3 record, tied with Maryland. Florida State would win the tiebreaker because they had defeated Maryland head-to-head. As it happened, Maryland lost to Boston College, which relegated Florida State to a second-place finish in the division. Wake Forest (ACC: 4–3) would have won the division if they won their last game against Boston College, and both Florida State and Boston College beat Maryland. In that case, Florida State and Wake Forest would have had identical conference records (ACC: 5–3), and Wake Forest would have won the tiebreaker because they defeated Florida State earlier in the season.
Maryland (ACC: 4–2) would have won the division title if they had either: (1) beaten both Florida State and Boston College; (2) beaten Florida State, while Boston College lost to Wake Forest; or (3) beaten Boston College, while Boston College lost to Wake Forest. That last scenario would have caused a three-way tie between Maryland, Florida State, and Wake Forest. All would have possessed a 5–3 conference record, and no head-to-head tiebreaker would have been possible. In that case, the winner would have been decided by divisional record, of which the Terrapins would have had the best (ACC Atlantic: 4–1).
Florida State
- Opponent pre-game record: 7–3
- Opponent final record: 9–4
- Pre-game line: Maryland +1.5
After Wake Forest lost to Boston College earlier in the day, Florida State required a win over Maryland to proceed to the ACC Championship Game. The Seminoles would also need Maryland to win against Boston College the following week. As a testament to the must-win nature of the game for Florida State, it was designated as a "Sod Game", where, if won, the team would bring home a piece of Byrd Stadium's sod to be commemorated in their "Sod Cemetery".
Maryland received the opening kickoff and pushed into Florida State territory. On third down, Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
was sacked and Maryland was forced to punt. Florida State was held three-and-out and punted. The Terrapins again pushed down field, before, on fourth and four on the Florida State 27-yard line, elected to attempt a field goal. Obi Egekeze's 44-yard attempt went wide of the uprights far to the right.
Florida State started a drive in the first quarter for 73 yards which culminated with a seven-yard Christian Ponder
Christian Ponder
Christian Ponder is an American football quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Vikings with the twelfth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and signed with them on July 31, 2011, shortly after the 2011 NFL lockout ended...
pass to Preston Parker for the score. The two teams traded punts, and Terrapins running back Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
fumbled the ball on the Maryland 26-yard line. Seminole linebacker Derek Nicholson picked up the ball and ran it into the endzone to bring the score to 14–0. On the next possession, Chris Turner threw his first interception in five games. Florida State then went three-and-out and punted. Maryland drove for 53 yards before another Turner pass was intercepted by Toddrick Verdell, who returned it for 34 yards. Florida State quarterback Ponder completed a 17-yard pass to Parker, and then ran it himself for 16 yards to the Maryland five-yard line. Two Antone Smith rushes brought the score to 21–0 at the half.
At the beginning of the second half, the Terrapins kicked off to the Seminoles before both teams traded field goals. It would be the only points Maryland would muster all night. In the fourth quarter, Florida State added another field goal. On the next possession, Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
both made short runs for a first down. Scott lost his second fumble of the night on the Terrapin 43-yard line. Florida State took over and scored another touchdown. After Maryland went three-and-out, Seminoles kicker Graham Gano
Graham Gano
Graham Gano is an American football placekicker for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Florida State...
made his third field goal of the night.
The Seminoles defense accumulated six sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. The loss ended Maryland's aspirations for the Atlantic Division title and, with it, a shot at the ACC Championship. Florida State remained in the running until Maryland lost to Boston College the following week.
Three hours before kick-off, Florida State safety Myron Rolle
Myron Rolle
-Tennessee Titans:Rolle was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract on June 14, 2010. However, the Tennessee Titans released him a year later on September 2, 2011.-Personal:...
successfully interviewed for a Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
in Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
. Rolle then took a private flight to arrive at the game in time to play late in the first half.
Boston College (#20)
- Opponent pre-game record: 8–3
- Opponent final record: 9–5
- Pre-game line: Maryland +6.5
Maryland entered the game having been knocked out of the running for the Atlantic Division title the previous week, but able to play spoiler for Boston College. The Eagles were playing to earn a berth to the ACC Championship Game for the second consecutive year. Additionally, competing within a closely contested ACC, Maryland could have greatly improved its standing for bowl selection with an eighth win. The Eagles were the fifth ranked team to face Maryland. The Terrapins were, to that point, 4–0 against top-25 opposition and the only team to beat four ranked opponents in 2008. Boston College was fielding second-string quarterback Dominique Davis
Dominique Davis
Dominique D. Davis is a quarterback for East Carolina University. He played for the Boston College Eagles for two seasons before transferring to Fort Scott Community College after an academic suspension. Davis was the back-up quarterback for senior Chris Crane and took over after Crane suffered a...
in his first career appearance. He replaced starter Chris Crane
Chris Crane
Christopher T. Crane is an American football quarterback who plays for the Milwaukee Iron of the AFL. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Boston College.-Early years:Crane was a four-year starter for the Trinity Shamrocks...
, who had suffered a broken collarbone the previous week.
Boston College kicked off, and Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
made a 27-yard return to the Maryland 31-yard line. After a Terrapins false start and Eagles offsides penalty, Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
connected with Torrey Smith for 12 yards and a first down. Turner gained another first down with a completion to Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
to put them into BC territory. A rush for no gain and two incomplete passes forced a punt. Boston College responded with a 14-play, 88-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jarvis. On the next possession, Turner completed passes to Emani Lee-Odai and Torrey Smith for 16- and 43-yard gains, respectively, and placed them at the Boston College one-yard line. Turner capped the drive with a one-yard rush for a score to tie the score, 7–7. To end the first quarer, Boston College linebacker Mike McLaughlin literally hurdled over 5-ft 8-in Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
to sack Turner in what was ranked an ESPN SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
"Play of the Day". The Eagles and Terrapins traded punts twice, and then Boston College turned over on downs before Maryland was forced to punt again. After a Boston College punt, Chris Turner threw an interception to Mark Herzlich
Mark Herzlich
Sandon Mark Herzlich, Jr. is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2011...
. On the next play Dominique Davis threw to Rich Gunnell for a 45-yard touchdown reception.
The second half started off with traded punts. Boston College took over with excellent field position on the Maryland 34-yard line, but was held to fourth and eight yards on the Terrapins' nine-yard line. The Eagles faked a field goal attempt, and holder
Holder (American football)
In American football the holder is the player who receives the snap during field goal and extra point attempts made by place kick. The holder is usually positioned between seven and eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. The holder kneels down and places the hand farthest from the line of...
Billy Flutie, nephew of Heisman winner Doug Flutie
Doug Flutie
Douglas Richard "Doug" Flutie is a former American and Canadian football quarterback. Flutie played college football at Boston College, and played professionally in the National Football League, Canadian Football League, and United States Football League...
, rolled right and passed to Jordon McMichael for a nine-yard touchdown. The teams traded punts again, before Turner led the Terrapins on a 70-yard drive into the final quarter. A 13-yard reception by Danny Oquendo brought the score to 21–14. Boston College was then held three-and-out and punted. The Terrapins drove to the Eagles' 19-yard line, but Obi Egekeze missed the 36-yard field goal attempt. Boston College's next drive consisted of ten rush attempts by Montel Harris
Montel Harris
Montel Lamar Harris is a college football running back with the Boston College Eagles.-High School:Harris attended Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida along with tailback Jamie Harper...
and burned three minutes off the clock. The Eagles punted and Turner completed three passes to advance to their own 35-yard line. Linebacker Robert Francois intercepted a pass and ran it 36 yards into the endzone. Steve Aponavicius
Steve Aponavicius
Steve Aponavicius is an American football kicker. In 2009, he became the leading scorer in the history of Boston College's football program. A left-footed soccer convert, Aponavicius made his first start of his career against Virginia Tech on October 12, 2006 and successfully kicked two field...
's extra point brought it to 28–14. With 1:42 left, Turner completed eight passes including an 8-yard touchdown toss to Torrey Smith. With 0:14 remaining in the game, Maryland attempted an onside kick, but it bounced out of bounds. Boston College took possession and ran out the clock to end the game, 28–21.
Boston College ended Maryland's six game winning streak against ranked opponents. With a 7–5 record, the Terrapins' postseason bowl game options were also limited. The Eagles secured the ACC Atlantic Division title and, with it, a trip to Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
for the ACC Championship Game to face Virginia Tech for the second-straight season. Boston College held the Maryland run to −6 yards, forcing reliance on Chris Turner's passing ability. It was the second game of the season the Terrapins were held to negative rushing yards (this had also occurred against Virginia Tech). Turner, however, was able to throw for 360 yards, bettering Boston College's total offensive yardage of 318 yards.
Bowl selection process
2008 NC State Wolfpack football team
The 2008 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2008 college football season. The team's Head Coach was Tom O'Brien, who began his second season as the Wolfpack head coach with a 5-7 overall record, and a 3-5 conference record at NCSU. N.C...
. The Terrapins finished the regular season with a 7–5 overall record and 4–4 record against ACC opponents. Maryland's conference record was identical to four other ACC teams, and the league fielded an NCAA record of ten bowl-eligible teams. For the 2008 season, there were eight non-Bowl Championship Series
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
(BCS) bowl games with ACC tie-ins: the Gator Bowl
2009 Gator Bowl
The 2009 Gator Bowl was played on January 1, 2009 as part of the 2008 College Football season. It featured the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished tied for first in the Big 12 Conference's North Division with Missouri, and the Clemson Tigers, who finished fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference's...
, the Chick-fil-A Bowl
2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl
The 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl was the 41st annual edition of the Chick-fil-A Bowl, formerly known as the Peach Bowl and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. It pitted the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets against the Louisiana State Tigers in a postseason American college football game in Atlanta, Georgia...
, the Champs Sports Bowl
2008 Champs Sports Bowl
The 2008 Champs Sports Bowl was the 19th edition of the college football bowl game that was played on Saturday, December 27, 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game, which had a 4:30 PM US EST kickoff and was broadcast on ESPN, pitted the Wisconsin Badgers against the Florida State...
, the Music City Bowl
2008 Music City Bowl
The 2008 Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl was the eleventh edition of the college football bowl game played at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. The game started at 2:30 pm US CST on Wednesday, December 31, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the Vanderbilt Commodores against the Boston...
, the Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
, the Emerald Bowl
2008 Emerald Bowl
The 2008 Emerald Bowl, part of the 2008-09 NCAA football bowl games season, was played on December 27, 2008 at AT&T Park, the home field of the Giants in San Francisco, California...
, the Meineke Car Care Bowl
2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl
The 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl was the seventh edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The game started at 1:00 PM US EST on Saturday, December 27, 2008. The game, telecast on ESPN, pitted the North Carolina Tar Heels...
, and the EagleBank Bowl
2008 EagleBank Bowl
The 2008 EagleBank Bowl was the inaugural edition of the new college football bowl game, and was played at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington, DC. The game, formerly known as the Congressional Bowl before naming rights were purchased by EagleBank, started at 11 AM US EST on...
.
After Maryland suffered a fifth loss in the season closer against Boston College
2008 Boston College Eagles football team
The 2008 Boston College Eagles football team represented Boston College during the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season. It was Boston College's fourth season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The Eagles were led by...
, it was very unlikely that the team's preferred postseason game, the Meineke Car Care Bowl, would extend an invitation. The game's selection committee in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
was eager to secure nearby North Carolina
2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team
The 2008 North Carolina Tar Heels football team began their season on August 30 against McNeese State at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The team originally went 4–4 in conference play and 8–5 overall, but in 2011, North Carolina vacated all its wins from the 2008 and 2009 seasons.-Recruiting:The Tar...
(8–4). Meanwhile, the EagleBank Bowl, hosted by RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., not far from the Maryland campus, secured in-state rival Navy
2008 Navy Midshipmen football team
The 2008 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Navy competed as an independent with no conference affiliation.The team was led by...
, but the game date conflicted with Maryland's final exams. Soon after Maryland's regular season finale, sportswriters and analysts speculated that the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, was the most likely postseason destination. Bowl officials there worked to secure a game of undefeated teams between the hometown team, Boise State
2008 Boise State Broncos football team
The 2008 Boise State Broncos football team represented Boise State University in the 2008 college football season. The Broncos played their home games at Bronco Stadium, most famous for its blue artificial turf surface, often referred to as the "smurf-turf". The blue turf was new for the 2008...
, and Ball State
2008 Ball State Cardinals football team
The 2008 Ball State Cardinals football team represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2008–2009 college football season. Brady Hoke, in his sixth season at Ball State, was the head coach until December 15, when he resigned to become the head coach at San Diego State...
of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. However, Ball State rejected the proposal to play at Boise State's homefield as unacceptable.
On December 7, 2008, Maryland accepted a bid to play in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
against Nevada
2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team
The 2008 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2008 season. Nevada competed as a member of the Western Athletic Conference .The team was led by...
. The Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
(WAC) team likewise finished with a 7–5 record. Nevada was ranked the number-five total offense and number-two rushing offense in the nation with 510.6 total yards per game. In 2008, running back Vai Taua
Vai Taua
Vailala "Vai" Lima Taua is an American football running back, for the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Nevada.-Early years:Taua was born in Fountain Valley,...
ran for 1,420 and quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Nevada.-Personal:...
for 1,115 yards, and the latter threw for an additional 2,479 yards. The Humanitarian Bowl executive director, Kevin McDonald, said, "We look forward to welcoming a Maryland [team] that defeated four Top 25 opponents and spent three weeks ranked ... Nevada comes in having played two teams, Texas Tech
2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team
The 2008 Texas Tech Red Raiders football team represented Texas Tech University in the college football season of 2008/09. The team was coached by Mike Leach. The Red Raiders played their home games at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, Texas. The football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl...
and Missouri
2008 Missouri Tigers football team
The 2008 Missouri Tigers football team represented the University of Missouri in college football's 2008 season. The team was coached by Gary Pinkel, who returned in his eighth season with Mizzou, and played their home games at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium.Quarterback Chase Daniel returned for...
, that were then ranked nationally in the top ten. They also gave ninth-ranked Boise State their toughest [WAC] game."
Nevada (2008 Humanitarian Bowl)
- Opponent pre-game record: 7–5
- Opponent final record: 7–6
- Pre-game line: Maryland +1.5
Prior to the game, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
placed a partial-game suspension on seven players who violated the team's pre-bowl curfew, including leading rusher, Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, and senior wide receiver Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
. Consequently, a much younger line-up initially started for Maryland during the early part of the game, including, according to Friedgen, some who probably would not have seen playing time otherwise.
The game started with Maryland receiving the kick-off and on the first series, quarterback Chris Turner
Chris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
linked up with freshman Adrian Cannon for a 59-yard touchdown. However, placekicker Obi Egekeze missed the extra point. Nevada quarterback and Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
offensive player of the year, Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Nevada.-Personal:...
, responded with a drive which included a 68-yard pass to the Maryland 3-yard line. The Terrapin defense stopped two rushing attempts by Vai Taua
Vai Taua
Vailala "Vai" Lima Taua is an American football running back, for the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Nevada.-Early years:Taua was born in Fountain Valley,...
, but a short pass was good for the score, and with the extra point, Nevada took the lead 6–7. The Wolf Pack then kicked a 69-yard kick-off to Torrey Smith, who returned it 99 yards for a second Maryland touchdown. Egekeze made good the extra point and Maryland regained the lead, 13–7. On the next kick-off, Egekeze attempted to kick the ball as it fell off the tee, resulting in a short squib, which was returned to the Terrapins' 9-yard line. Kaepernick threw into the endzone where it was intercepted by Maryland safety Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate
Kenny Tate is an American football player. He plays college football as a safety for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He was recruited as a wide receiver, but as a true freshman in 2008, was converted to the safety position...
for a touchback
Touchback
In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus...
, but the Terrapins were soon forced to punt. Kaepernick advanced the ball downfield before a Taua 17-yard touchdown run. In the next series, Maryland sophomore Morgan Green
Morgan Green
Morgan Green is an American former college and high school football player. He played as a running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He played interscholastic football for Henry E...
rushed for three yards and then a 53-yard touchdown breakaway. Later, Turner converted on third down with a 16-yard toss to Ronnie Tyler and threw again to Tyler for a 14-yard touchdown. Turner tallied a two-point conversion
Two-point conversion
In American and Canadian football, a two-point conversion is a play a team attempts instead of kicking a one-point convert immediately after it scores a touchdown...
with a throw to Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
, and Maryland led at halftime 28–14.
Wolf Pack running back Taua was able to capitalize after a Turner-thrown pick and narrow their deficit, 28–21. A sack against Turner knocked the ball loose, was recovered by Nevada, fumbled again, and finally recovered by the Terrapins' Scott Burley. Turner then connected with Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
for an 11-yard first down and a fresh Da'Rel Scott made his first touch of the game for another first down on the Nevada 23. Turner was again sacked and fumbled, and Nevada recovered. Kaepernick then completed 38-yard and 21-yard passes to even the score, 28–28. Turner converted on third down with a 26-yard toss to Torrey Smith. Scott was soon able to break open down the middle for a 49-yard touchdown run. On the next Maryland series, Da'Rel Scott was handed the ball four times in succession and scored his second touchdown. With 4:01 remaining, Kaepernick led a drive starting from the Nevada 23, before a scramble
Quarterback scramble
A quarterback scramble or scramble is an impromptu maneuver or run in American football and Canadian football by a quarterback. If a quarterback is under pressure by an opposing team's defense, he may run forward, backward, or laterally in an attempt to avoid being tackled behind the line of...
for a touchdown made it a one-possession game with 2:19 remaining. Jaekle attempted an on-side kick, but it was recovered by Maryland. Scott picking up a first down and clinched a 42–35 Maryland victory.
Maryland freshman wide receiver Torrey Smith, with his 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, broke the all-time ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
record for single-season kickoff returns with 1,089 yards. Maryland running back Da'Rel Scott rushed for 174 yards, earning Most Valuable Player honors alongside Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick who threw for 370 yards. Scott set the University of Maryland's record for rushing yards in a bowl game, in what was just one-and-half quarters of playing time due to his curfew suspension. He also broke the 1,000-yard per season barrier, making him one of just seven players in school history to do so. Four Maryland back-ups who saw significant play due to the curfew suspensions also scored touchdowns: second-string X-receiver Torrey Smith, second-string slot receiver Ronnie Tyler, third-string slot receiver Adrian Cannon, and third-string running back Morgan Green.
Rankings
In Week 9, after defeating Wake Forest to improve to a 6–1 record, Maryland was ranked 25th by both the Associated PressAP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
and the Coaches' Polls. It was the first time the team was ranked since Week 11 in 2006. Maryland would rise in the polls, and enter the Harris and BCS rankings after beating NC State the following week. However, after the loss to Virginia Tech, the Terps fell out of the rankings altogether. Maryland made one final poll appearance after the win over North Carolina, before losing to Florida State.
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 25 | 23 | NR | 22 | NR | NR | NR |
| Coaches | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 25 | 21 | NR | 23 | NR | NR | NR |
| Harris | Not released | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | 23 | NR | 23 | NR | NR | NR | ||||
| BCS | Not released | NR | NR | 23 | NR | 25 | NR | NR | NR | |||||||
Coaching changes
At the end of the regular season, but before the postseason bowl game, Maryland lost two members of its coaching staff. On December 5, 2008, the school announced that defensive coordinatorDefensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
Chris Cosh
Chris Cosh
Chris Cosh , is an American football coach and currently holds the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Kansas State University...
would return to Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
to take over as assistant coach and co-defensive coordinator. He joined the staff of the recently re-hired Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder is the head football coach at Kansas State University. He was rehired to the position on November 24, 2008, making Snyder one of the rare college football head coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same school. Snyder previously served as head coach at the school from 1989 to...
, who was Kansas State's head coach from 1996 to 2005. Cosh previously served under Snyder as his linebackers coach
Linebackers coach
A linebackers coach is a position coach in charge of the linebackers in gridiron football. This role is common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The linebackers coach serves the defense, which is led by the defensive coordinator and works with the players of the three linebacker...
from 2004 to 2005. For the bowl game, Maryland appointed outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson as the interim defensive coordinator. Maryland also lost its special teams and tight ends coach
Tight ends coach
A tight ends coach is a coach in charge of the tight ends in American football. The tight ends coach typically operates under the team's offensive coordinator....
, Danny Pearman, who was hired by new Clemson
Clemson Tigers football
The Clemson Tigers football team is an American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. It competes in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
head coach Dabo Swinney
Dabo Swinney
William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.-Playing career:...
. Pearman was a Clemson alumnus and played there as a tight end from 1984 to 1987. At Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
, he coached special teams and the offensive and defensive tackles from 1990 to 1997, during which time Swinney played there as a wide receiver. For Maryland's bowl game, third-year intern Brian White acted as interim tight ends coach, and he assisted head coach Ralph Friedgen in directing the special teams.
After the bowl game, in February 2009, the athletic department named offensive coordinator James Franklin the "head coach-in-waiting", meaning that he would be the eventual successor to Ralph Friedgen. Upon the expiration of Friedgen's contract in January 2012, Franklin will be offered the position or paid a US$1 million contractual buyout. In June 2009, Friedgen said he might like to stay an additional two years past his current contract, but athletic director
Athletic director
An athletic director is an administrator at many American colleges and universities, as well as in larger high schools and middle schools, who oversees the work of coaches and related staff involved in intercollegiate or interscholastic athletic programs...
Deborah Yow
Deborah Yow
Deborah A. Yow is an American college sports administrator and former college basketball coach. She is currently the director of athletics at North Carolina State University, and formerly held the same position at the University of Maryland and Saint Louis University...
responded that the school could not afford the buyout. She said that any extension would have to be worked out between Friedgen and Franklin.
All-star games
Five Maryland players were selected by postseason all-star games. Defensive lineman Jeremy NavarreJeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
appeared in the Texas vs. The Nation Game
Texas vs. The Nation Game
The NFLPA Game is a post-season college football all-star game that was established in 2006 as the concluding game of the college football post-season. The game is currently played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. The game was previously known as the Texas vs...
. Offensive linemen Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
and Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
participated in the East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
. Linebacker Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents...
played in the Under Armour
Under Armour
Under Armour is an American sports clothing and accessories company. The company is a supplier of a wide range of sportswear and casual apparel mainly focusing on hi-tech sportswear for professional athletes...
Senior Bowl
2009 Senior Bowl
The 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2008 college football season, and prospects for the 2009 Draft of the professional National Football League ....
. Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
was also selected to participate in the Senior Bowl very early in the season before he suffered a scapular fracture
Scapular fracture
A scapular fracture is a fracture of the scapula, the shoulder blade. The scapula is sturdy and located in a protected place, so it rarely breaks. When it does, it is an indication that the individual was subjected to a considerable amount of force and that severe chest trauma may be present. ...
. He attended the game, but did not play due to his injury.
NFL Draft
Five former Maryland players were selected in the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
, which tied North Carolina for the most of any Atlantic Coast Conference team. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash time at the combine of 4.30 seconds, was selected by the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
as the seventh overall pick, far higher than most analysts had anticipated. Cornerback Kevin Barnes
Kevin Barnes (American football)
Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
, who had scored the highest grade on the intelligence test
Wonderlic Test
The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a twelve-minute, fifty-question test used to assess the aptitude of prospective employees for learning and problem-solving in a range of occupations. The test was developed by industrial psychologist Eldon F. Wonderlic...
at the combine, was selected in the third round by the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. Linebacker Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents...
, guard Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
, and tight end Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
were all selected in the seventh round.
Additionally, several former Terrapins were signed by NFL teams as free agents shortly after the draft. These consisted of: linebacker Dave Philistin
Dave Philistin
Dave Philistin is an American football linebacker. He played for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. Philistin is a 2011 UFL Draft choice of the Las Vegas Locomotives.-Early years:...
, center Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
, wide receiver Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams is an American football wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
, defensive end Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
, offensive tackle Scott Burley
Scott Burley
Scott Burley is an American football offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
, linebacker Chase Bullock
Chase Bullock
Chase Bullock is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Cardinals in 2009. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
, offensive tackle Dane Randolph
Dane Randolph
Dane Randolph is an American offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He most recently played for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League on May 3, 2009, as an undrafted free agent but later released. He was then...
, and defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi
Dean Muhtadi
Dean Muhtadi is an American football defensive tackle who was most recently on the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
.
All-conference honors
All-ACC honorees were selected by a 67-member committee from the Atlantic Coast Conference Sports Media Association (ACSMA). Maryland tied with Atlantic Division Co-Champion Boston College for most All-ACC honorees at nine. Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech each secured eight All-ACC honors. Three Maryland players were selected to the first team: punter Travis BaltzTravis Baltz
Travis Baltz is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after playing college football for Maryland.-Early years:...
, running back Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, and center Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams
Edwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
. Linebacker Alex Wujciak
Alex Wujciak
Alex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
was named to the second team. Offensive linemen Scott Burley
Scott Burley
Scott Burley is an American football offensive lineman for the Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
and Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas
Jaimie Thomas is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:...
, tight end Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski
Dan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
, and defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre
Jeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
were named as honorable mention All-ACC players.
Players of the Week
- Travis BaltzTravis BaltzTravis Baltz is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after playing college football for Maryland.-Early years:...
(P): ACC Football Player of the Week for special teams, September 29, 2008 - Bruce CampbellBruce Campbell (American football)-Oakland Raiders:Campbell was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He will be reunited with former Maryland teammate Darrius Heyward-Bey. Before the draft, many draft experts had Campbell being selected by the Raiders in the first round...
(OL): ACC Football Player of the Week for offensive lineman, October 20, 2008 - Chris TurnerChris Turner (American football)Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
(QB): ACC Football Player of the Week for offensive back, October 20, 2008 - Edwin WilliamsEdwin WilliamsEdwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
(C): ACC Football Player of the Week for offensive lineman, November 17, 2008
Other awards
- Obi Egekeze (K): Lou GrozaLou GrozaLouis Roy Groza was an American football placekicker and offensive tackle who played his entire career for the Cleveland Browns....
Star of the Week (awarded for top-three placekicks), October 18, 2008 - Chris TurnerChris Turner (American football)Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
(QB): ESPN/PontiacPontiacPontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
Game Changing Performance nomination, November 15, 2008
Watch lists
- Dan GronkowskiDan GronkowskiDan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
(TE): 2008 Draddy TrophyDraddy TrophyThe William V. Campbell trophy, formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, is a trophy awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance...
semifinalist - Dan Gronkowski (TE): 2008 John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey....
watch list - Dave PhilistinDave PhilistinDave Philistin is an American football linebacker. He played for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. Philistin is a 2011 UFL Draft choice of the Las Vegas Locomotives.-Early years:...
(LB): 2008 Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
watch list - Dave Philistin (LB): 2008 Rotary Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
watch list - Da'Rel ScottDa'Rel ScottDa'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
(RB): 2008 Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch list - Edwin WilliamsEdwin WilliamsEdwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
(OL): 2008 Rimington Trophy watch list - Edwin Williams (OL): 2008 Rotary Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
watch list
Team statistics
| class="wikitable" border="1" style="white-space:nowrap;"> | ||
| Total | Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring offense (opponents) | 283 (272) | 21.8 (20.9) |
| Touchdowns | 34 | 2.6 |
| Total offensive yards | 4,415 | 339.6 |
| Passing yards | 2,687 | 206.7 |
| Rushing yards | 1,728 | 132.9 |
| First downs | 234 | 18.0 |
| Third down conversions (no./attempts) | 69 / 165 | 5.3 / 12.7 |
| Fourth down conversions (no./attempts) | 8 / 15 | 0.6 / 1.2 |
| Penalties (no.–yards) | 61 – 536 | 4.7 – 41.2 |
| Time of possession | — | 27:47 |
Passing
| Player | GP Games played Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,... |
GS Starting lineup A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best... |
Rating | Cmp. Completion (American football) A completion is a term used in American football when a receiver successfully catches a pass. The three possible outcomes of a pass thrown are completion, incompletion, and interception, respectively.... |
Att. | Cmp. % | Yards | TD Touchdown A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:... |
Int. | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Turner | 13 | 12 | 119.3 | 214 | 374 | 57.2 | 2,516 | 13 | 11 | 80 |
| Jordan Steffy | 1 | 1 | 87.0 | 10 | 18 | 55.6 | 115 | 0 | 2 | 36 |
| Danny Oquendo (WR) | 13 | 5 | 395.6 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 43 |
| Da'Rel Scott (RB) | 12 | 11 | 252.8 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Josh Portis | 8 | 0 | 44.5 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Rushing
| Player | GP | GS | Car. Carry (American football) In American football, a carry is a statistical term equivalent to a single rushing play. The term is typically used in reference to "yards per carry," meaning yards per attempt rushing the ball. Any offensive player who performs a carry is known as a ballcarrier, regardless of position.... |
Yards | Y/G | Y/C | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Da'Rel Scott | 12 | 11 | 209 | 1,133 | 94.4 | 5.4 | 63 | 8 |
| Davin Meggett | 13 | 2 | 89 | 457 | 35.2 | 5.1 | 38 | 4 |
| Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR) | 12 | 12 | 15 | 202 | 16.8 | 13.5 | 76 | 1 |
| Josh Portis (QB) | 8 | 0 | 31 | 186 | 23.2 | 6.0 | 33 | 1 |
| Morgan Green | 10 | 0 | 24 | 112 | 11.2 | 4.7 | 53 | 3 |
| Danny Oquendo (WR) | 13 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Cory Jackson | 13 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 4 | 0 |
| Emani Lee-Odai (WR) | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Austin Walker | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Torrey Smith (WR) | 13 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jordan Steffy (QB) | 1 | 1 | 3 | -5 | -5.0 | -1.7 | 3 | 0 |
| Chris Turner (QB) | 13 | 12 | 43 | -154 | -11.8 | -3.6 | 13 | 1 |
Receiving
| Player | GP | GS | Rec. Reception (American football) In American football, a reception is part of a play in which a forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage is received by a player in bounds, who, after the catch, proceeds to either score a touchdown or be downed. Yards gained from the receiving play are credited to the player as receiving... |
Yards | Y/G | Avg. | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darrius Heyward-Bey | 12 | 12 | 42 | 609 | 50.8 | 14.5 | 80 | 5 |
| Danny Oquendo | 13 | 5 | 29 | 371 | 28.5 | 12.8 | 50 | 2 |
| Torrey Smith | 13 | 6 | 24 | 336 | 25.8 | 14.0 | 44 | 2 |
| Dan Gronkowski | 13 | 12 | 29 | 287 | 22.1 | 9.9 | 25 | 3 |
| Ronnie Tyler | 13 | 1 | 20 | 225 | 11.3 | 20 | 1 | |
| Da'Rel Scott | 12 | 11 | 21 | 171 | 8.1 | 25 | 0 | |
| Isaiah Williams | 13 | 6 | 10 | 124 | 12.4 | 43 | 1 | |
| Emani Lee-Odai | 13 | 1 | 12 | 115 | 9.6 | 23 | 0 | |
| Lansford Watson | 13 | 1 | 10 | 115 | 11.5 | 32 | 0 | |
| Cory Jackson | 13 | 6 | 12 | 106 | 8.8 | 29 | 0 | |
| Davin Meggett | 13 | 2 | 9 | 79 | 8.8 | 31 | 0 | |
| Adrian Cannon | 13 | 1 | 3 | 75 | 25.0 | 59 | 1 | |
| Haroon Brown | 12 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Laquan Williams | 3 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 11 | 0 | |
| Tommy Galt | 13 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 18.0 | 18 | 0 | |
| Taylor Watson | 5 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 11.0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Morgan Green | 10 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 6 | 0 |
Kicking
| Player | XPs Extra Point Extra Point is a twice-daily, two-minute segment on ESPN Radio that covers generic sports-related topical news and opinion. The AM edition airs Monday through Saturday at various times between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, and the PM edition airs Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. ET... |
XP Att. | XP % | FGs | FG Att. | FG % | Long | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obi Egekeze | 32 | 33 | 97.0 | 15 | 24 | 62.5 | 47 | 77 |
Defense
| Name | GP | GS | Tackles | Sacks | Pass Defense | Fumbles | Blocked Kick |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Ast | Total | TFL–Yds | #–Yds | Int–Yds | BrUp | PD | QBH | Rcv–Yds | FF | ||||
| Alex Wujciak | 13 | 13 | 56 | 77 | 133 | 8.5–26 | 1.5–9 | 0–0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1–0 | 0 | 1 |
| Dave Philistin | 13 | 12 | 41 | 53 | 94 | 5.0–15 | 2.0–9 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Moise Fokou | 13 | 12 | 41 | 36 | 77 | 12.0–49 | 5.0–29 | 0–0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeremy Navarre | 13 | 13 | 32 | 38 | 70 | 7.5–22 | 2.5–13 | 0–0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jeff Allen | 13 | 13 | 34 | 32 | 66 | 2.0–3 | 0–0 | 1–0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Terrell Skinner | 11 | 11 | 32 | 31 | 63 | 3.0–6 | 0–0 | 1–6 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Anthony Wiseman | 13 | 13 | 32 | 17 | 49 | 1.0–2 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trey Covington | 12 | 9 | 22 | 16 | 38 | 3.0–8 | 2.5–8 | 0–0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nolan Carroll | 10 | 4 | 20 | 17 | 37 | 1.0–3 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jamari McCollough | 13 | 2 | 29 | 8 | 37 | 1.0–8 | 1.0–8 | 4–10 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1–0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Bullock | 13 | 1 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 1.0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 |
| Travis Ivey | 9 | 4 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 4.0–12 | 1.0–4 | 0–0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0–0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | — | — | 497 | 466 | 963 | 71–254 | 28–148 | 10–43 | 49 | 59 | 2 | 7–0 | 9 | 4 |
Special teams
| Name | Punting | Kickoffs | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Yds | Avg | Long | TB Touchback In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus... | FC Fair catch A fair catch is a feature of American football and several other codes of football, in which a player attempting to catch a ball kicked by the opposing team – either on a kickoff or punt – is entitled to catch the ball without interference from any member of the kicking team... | I20 | Blkd | No. | Yds | Avg | TB | OB Out of bounds Out of bounds is the area outside the boundaries of a sport's field of playOut of Bounds may also refer to:* Out of Bounds , a movie starring Anthony Michael Hall... |
|
| Travis Baltz | 61 | 2,506 | 41.1 | 59 | 7 | 18 | 24 | 0 | 5 | 243 | 48.6 | 1 | 2 |
| Obi Egekeze | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 57 | 3,603 | 63.2 | 8 | 0 |
| Total | 61 | 2,506 | 41.1 | 59 | 7 | 18 | 24 | 0 | 62 | 3,846 | 62.0 | 9 | 2 |
| Name | Punt returns | Kick returns | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | No. | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | |
| Torrey Smith | 0 | – | – | – | – | 42 | 1,089 | 25.9 | 1 | 99 |
| Kenny Tate | 0 | – | – | – | – | 6 | 84 | 14.0 | 0 | 17 |
| Dan Gronkowski | 0 | – | – | – | – | 2 | 12 | 6.0 | 0 | 8 |
| Terrell Skinner | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 |
| Danny Oquendo | 20 | 104 | 5.2 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Cory Jackson | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 0 | 9 |
| Morgan Green | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 2 | 2.0 | 0 | 2 |
| Tony Logan | 6 | 49 | 8.2 | 0 | 15 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Adrian Moten | 1 | 21 | 21.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Dominique Herald | 1 | 15 | 15.0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 28 | 189 | 6.8 | 0 | 45 | 54 | 1,212 | 22.4 | 1 | 99 |
Sources: