Bowl games have changed quite a bit from the days when Ralph Friedgen was an assistant under Bobby Ross at Maryland.

Beginning with Ross’ arrival in 1982, the Terps went to four bowls in six years before Ross left for Georgia Tech after the 1986 season. None of the trips was more memorable than the 1984 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

It had little to do with the game, even though Maryland came back from a 21-0 deficit to beat Tennessee, 28-27.

One of the pre-game festivities included a barbeque with the Volunteers.

"The team is on a bus, and I’m in a car following the bus,’’ Friedgen recalled this week. "We’re driving out in the desert, there’s tumbleweeds and I’m thinking ‘Where the heck are we?’ The bus stops and all of a sudden, two guys with their guns drawn come onto the bus.

"Kevin Glover tells them to get off the bus and one of the guys puts a .38 right up under his chin. Kevin dives back under his seat, hits his head and cuts his head. One of the guys says, ‘We want (Donald) Turkey Brown. Donald transferred from Oklahoma and the guy says, ‘He got my sister pregnant.’ He says I want (then graduate assistant) Dave Sollazzo and I want (assistant coach) Gib Romaine.

"They take these guys and they tie their hands behind their backs and put them in the back of the pickup. The car takes off and they’re bouncing around in the back of the track. They’re going like 80 milles an hour. All of a sudden, the truck screeches to a stop and the guy starts firing at our car. I hit the floor. I’m from New York. You point a gun at me and I’m going down. It was all a setup. One of the assistants who wasn’t with us knew some state troopers. Those were the guys who did it.’’

Friedgen smiled.

"Those were the good old days,’’ he said.

-Don Markus

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 4:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Here's a look at what writers around the country are saying about Friday's Emerald Bowl between Maryland and Oregon State. Feel free to comment with links we've missed.

ESPN.com's Pat Forde predicts a 33-17 Oregon State win:

Why watch: Last chance to see underrated Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard in a college uniform -- provided he's 100 percent after having his knee scoped a month ago. Also an opportunity to see what creative Terps coach Ralph Friedgen has added to the trick bag since the regular season ended.

40-second analysis: The Beavers made their customary late-season surge, losing only to USC in their final seven games. The Terrapins went the other way, losing four of their final six. One thing is certain: Oregon State's defense will create a lot more negative plays (tied for third nationally in sacks, and tied for sixth in tackles for loss) than Maryland's (76th in sacks, 96th in TFL).

SI.com's Stewart Mandel predicts a 27-23 Maryland victory:

As I've said many times, bowl results are often in no way a reflection of the season that proceeded them, and many a perceived mismatch goes the other way. The past two Emerald Bowls (Utah over Georgia Tech and Florida State over UCLA) have been perfect examples. The tradition continues...

MSNBC.com predicts a 24-17 Oregon State win. Here's what they say Maryland must do to win:

Pass, pass, pass. No one in the country allows less yards per carry than the Beavers (2.1), so the Terrapins will pin their hopes on sophomore quarterback Chris Turner, who’ll be back playing in his home state. He’s quite capable, having outdueled Boston College’s Matt Ryan in a 42-35 win on Nov. 10. Turner was 21-of-27 for 337 yards and three scores (with no interceptions) in that game.

And what Oregon State must do to win:

Matt Sieverson filled in admirably, rushing for 142 yards in the double OT victory over Oregon, but the Beavers would really prefer to have Yvenson Bernard (4,645 career all-purpose yards) in the backfield after bouncing back from having his knee scoped. As a team, Oregon State holds a significant edge defensively, but Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson is the best individual in the game on that side of the football.

ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman predicts a 23-10 Oregon State victory (note: Insider subscription needed):

The Beavers have a very underrated D. They are second in the country in stopping the run, and they also are a good running team themselves. I like OSU's D-line to dominate as they face a Terps front that is 107th in the country in sacks allowed.

WhatIfSports.com simulated every bowl game 1,001 times. They came up with a 24-13 Oregon State win:

Highlight: Oregon State, one of the nation's leaders in rush defense, holds Maryland to just 1.4 yards-per-carry in the win.

Player of the Game: Yvenson Bernard, RB, Oregon State (142 rushing yards, 1 TD)

All five CBSSports.com experts have Oregon State winning.

All four Yahoo Sports experts and 76 percent of Yahoo users pick Oregon State.

Four out of six Scout.com experts pick Oregon State.

All four Rivals.com experts pick Oregon State.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Ralph Friedgen today announced that the program has hired James Franklin as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator.

Franklin spent five seasons in Maryland as the wide receivers coach from 2000-2004. He spent the past two seasons at Kansas State as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. In 2005, he coached the wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers.

“James Franklin is definitely the person who fits what I have been looking for,” Friedgen said in a press release. “His knowledge of our program, his experience as a coordinator and his ability to recruit definitely strengthen us as a coaching staff and football program.”

Franklin agreed to a three-year contract and will begin his duties on Dec. 30. In 2003, he was promoted as Maryland's recruiting coordinator. According to the release, Rivals.com twice named him one of the nation's top-25 recruiters.

"I've always considered the University of Maryland to be one of the premier programs in the country, and I'm excited about the opportunity to return,” Franklin said. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Friedgen and what he's been able to accomplish throughout his career, and I'm looking forward to helping him take the program to new and exciting levels."

Kansas State ranked 20th in the nation in passing offense and 21st in the nation in scoring offense this past season.

Before arriving at Maryland in 2000, Franklin spent time at Kutztown, East Stroudsburg, James Madison, Washington State and Idaho State. He played quarterback at East Stroudsburg from 1991-94

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Terps football
        

For you Maryland football fans, the Terps should know by Friday whether left guard Jaimie Thomas will be healthy enough to play in the Dec. 28 Emerald Bowl against Oregon State. He’s still recovering from a fractured right fibula and is a “long shot,” according to coach Ralph Friedgen.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll pulled his hamstring, making him questionable for the game. And Friedgen doesn’t know if freshman receiver Laquan Williams will play because of a knee injury. Williams can run straight ahead but is having trouble making cuts.

Special teams coordinator Ray Rychleski will coach in the bowl before joining Steve Spurrier’s staff at South Carolina. Rychleski also coached the tight ends and H-backs at Maryland. He’ll serve as the Gamecocks’ special teams coordinator.

Oregon State’s defense ranks second in the country against the run, so Terps quarterback Chris Turner will have to bring his A game.

- Roch Kubatko

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Terps football
        

It’s probably fair to say that over the years, Maryland fans have given little, if any, thought to the Oregon State football program, and certainly vice versa, but that’s about to change: The Emerald Bowl on Dec. 28 in San Francisco will pair the two teams in their first-ever meeting.

To give an overall breakdown of Oregon State, The Oregonian’s Paul Buker was kind enough to answer questions regarding the Beavers. You can read Buker’s blog, 'Behind the Beavers Beat', here.

1.) So somehow a 6-3 record and third-place Pac-10 finish equaled the Emerald Bowl for Oregon State. How did Oregon – a team the Beavers defeated – sneak into the Sun Bowl (which is supposed to be the destination for the Pac-10’s third-place team)?

The Beavers were not bitter. They thought it kind of stunk that an Oregon team that lost three straight to finish the season was REWARDED, while a team that won 6 of its last 7 was DROPPED in the bowl pairings. But it is more of a reflection on the Pac-10's lousy bowl arrangements. ... the comment I heard the most was ‘thank God we're not going back to El Paso.’ The people were friendly, but it was BORING!

3.) Maryland fans were amused by this quote – attributed to Beavers center Kyle DeVan – in your Dec. 3 story: "I don't even know where Maryland is. Could somebody point it out to me?"  First, how does OSU’s geography program rate? Second, do you think the Beavers are overlooking the Terps, possibly due to their 6-6 record?

OSU center Kyle DeVan is a character who often throws out funny lines because he knows the media loves it. Is DeVan really that clueless about U.S. geography? I'm not sure. Then I started thinking about, and I wondered if I could point out Maryland on a map myself. It seems so far away, although I was in College Park once on a Trail Blazers road trip and I remember how delighted Buck Williams was at returning to his alma mater.

I can tell you, the Beavers ARE NOT overlooking the Terps. Granted, they probably don't know a thing about the Terps, but they will get there.

The last time OSU played an "East Coast'' team, the Beavers were thrashed 34-3 at Cincinnati. This is a blue-collar group from humble beginnings (OSU started 2-3) and not the type that gets full of itself.

4.) What’s the reputation of the ACC on the West Coast? Do you think the Pac-10 gets overlooked nationwide? Is there an East Coast bias?  

I don't think the ACC registers with these guys in football. Not one iota. ... now if you're talking BASKETBALL, that's different. But football? Might as well be invisible here. ... nationwide, I think the Pac-10 is perceived as a six-on-six passing league in some circles, more skill than toughness. ... of course, if you actually play a team like USC (or even OSU, which has a very physical defense and O-line) then it's different. ... East Coast bias? Yes, we believe in that 'East Coast bias' as fervently as a six-year-old believes in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.  ... to prove my point, I'll bet Fridge had never heard of Lyle Moevao (OSU starting QB) until recently. ... on the other hand, many West Coast fans were in the same boat.

5.) There seem to be quite a few similarities between Ralph Friedgen and OSU coach Mike Riley (spent time with the Chargers, turned sad-sack programs into perennial bowl teams, sons of coaches, etc.). What’s Riley like as a coach and as a personality?

If we're talking 40-yard dash times, Mike Riley has it all over Ralph Friedgen. ... mixed martial arts? I'm taking the Fridge over the smaller, lighter Riley. ... seems like a great matchup here. Both guys are considered to have keen offensive minds. Both had fathers who were lifer coaches. Both worked for the San Diego Chargers (is that a plus?)

I get the sense that Friedgen is more DEMANDING... I know Friedgen is more paranoid, with his closed practices and such. ... Riley is generally an open book, too nice to everyone to be believed almost. .. his idea of really swearing is "Jiminy Christmas!'' ... his practices are normally wide open to media, fans, and anybody off the street. ... he can get riled up, and he's taken a beating around here on occasion for giving troublesome players too many second and third chances, but he is far less uptight than, say, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti. ... he has been given a lot of love recently for his team's fast finishes in the last two years, and the 2007 teams ability to bounce back from several major on-field and off-the-field calamaties.

6.) How has quarterback Sean Canfield looked in his first season as a starter, and will he be ready to go in the Emerald Bowl?

Canfield has his ups and downs and at one point was leading FBS schools in INTs. He dinged his shoulder Nov. 3 in the 24-3 loss at USC and hasn't played since. Moevao, the backup, doesn't have the classic look of a Div. I quarterback (he looks more like an inside linebacker at 5-11, 225) but he's 3-0 as a starter since Canfield went down. Riley said Monday that Moevao will start the Emerald Bowl, even if Canfield (who returns to practice this week for the first time since the injury) is ready.

7.) Running back Yvenson Bernard seems to have gone from unknown to underrated to forgotten in the span of four years – at least from a national perspective. How has he done this year? Is he still being overlooked?

Maybe I'm biased, but I think Bernard is very, very good, and will make somebody's NFL team next season even if his speed is suspect. He runs, he catches, he is a terrific pass-blocker. ... but he's been banged up for much of the season, and missed the Civil War game with a knee injury. He had the knee scoped the Tuesday before the Oregon game and hasn't practiced since. He was still walking with a limp on Monday and Tuesday. He promises he will be ready on the 28th, but who knows? ... the shocker came when back-up tailback Matt Sieverson, a former walk-on, had 142 yards rushing vs. the Ducks. .. .but Bernard is a HUGE part of the OSU offense. He had 237 carries, 1,037 yards and 12 rushing TDs this season. ... should have been first-team all Pac-10, but the coaches voted in Cal's Justin Forsett instead.

8.) How about the OSU defense? What are their strengths, weaknesses?

I think coach Friedgen and his staff would agree on this. The OSU defense is very good. A nine or 10-man rotation up front, good speed on the edges, good athletes in the secondary, a vicious hitter in safety Al Afalava.

The media that cover the Pac-10 seem to agree that OSU is just below USC in terms of overall defense, and better than the Trojans at some positions. The overriding attribute of this group is speed.

I think Maryland fans will be very impressed with OLB Derrick Doggett, who might be the best pure athlete on the team. Doggett is one of the fastest OLBs in the country. He is projected to be a safety in the NFL.

9.) Any prediction for the game?

Hard to say. After a month layoff, who knows what we will see at AT&T Park? All I know is, with a month to prepare, Mike Riley and Ralph Friedgen will have something up their sleeves that the other guy doesn't know about.

From this viewpoint, we keep saying that the Pac-10's No. 3 shouldn't lose to the ACC's No. 5 or No. 6. This is an interesting game, simply because an Oregon State and a Maryland would normally never get within 2,000 miles of each other.

I think OSU wins this game 30-21 if Yvenson Bernard plays. If the Beavers are without their starting tailback, I think it gets a lot closer.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Terps football
        

What the Terps and coach Ralph Friedgen told the Associated Press about playing Oregon State Dec. 28 in the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco.

Defensive tackle Dre Moore: “I’ve never had a chance to go to the West Coast before. This is the one I wanted.” (The Terps could have played in the Humanitarian Bowl on the blue field at Boise State University, or they could have picked the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, N.C.)

Linebacker Erin Henderson: “We’ve been to Carolina three times this year alone. ... I’ve never been to the West Coast beyond Phoenix. To have the opportunity to go out there and play a football game against a team you really don’t know much about, it’s something different. You get so used to playing the Virginias and N.C. States. This is exciting.”

Quarterback Chris Turner (who is from the West Coast):  “Now my family can come. It’s like a five- or six-hour drive, but it’s definitely more manageable than flying across the country.” 

Friedgen: “It’s a little more exotic to go to San Francisco, a place they’ve never been before. ... Obviously it’s a tougher trip for our fans in this area, but we also have a very big fan base out in San Francisco and Los Angeles. I’m hoping those people will come out and support us, and I think we’ll have a lot of fans that want to go to San Francisco.”  

Posted by Jack Gibbons at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Terps football
        

Maryland quarterback Chris Turner talked about the Emerald Bowl matchup with Oregon State during a news conference on Dec. 4.

“I think we definitely underachieved,” Tuner said. “Six-and-six doesn’t represent what kind of team we actually are. With that said, that’s what we are, and we’re happy to go to a bowl and we’re happy to play a good team in Oregon State.”

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Ralph Friedgen discussed Maryland's Emerald Bowl matchup with Oregon State and upcoming practice schedule at his Tuesday news conference. Friedgen also talked about his involvement in junior linebacker Erin Henderson's process in deciding whether to skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. Watch video of the full news conference below.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Terps football