Turns out there was a chance we could have seen Rick Costa in the Humanitarian Bowl.

You'll recall that the linebacker was indefinitely suspended from the team last month after being accused of punching a police officer in the face at a local bar.

Costa, a senior criminology major, had been splitting time with Trey Covington at outside linebacker. The Terps have missed him on the field down the stretch.

Costa had a chance to return because -- according to online court records and Maryland officials -- the linebacker's first-degree assault charge was recently reduced, and is now a misdemeanor instead of a felony. That made him eligible to play.

But coach Friedgen said Costa opted against it. "I think he was a little embarrassed by the whole thing," said the coach.