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June 3, 2008

TV times announced for UM football games

Maryland fans will be able to watch their football team early and often this fall.

The Terps’ first three games will be televised, the ACC announced today, starting with UM’s season opener against Delaware. The Aug. 30 matchup at Byrd Stadium kicks off at 3:45 p.m. and will be shown on ESPNU.

Maryland travels to Middle Tennessee State the following Saturday. The game, which starts at 7 p.m., will be televised locally on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

On Sept. 13, the Terps host Cal in a noon matchup that will be shown on either ESPN or ESPN2.

The ACC also announced that Maryland’s Thursday, Nov. 6 game at Virginia Tech has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Terps-Hokies matchup will be televised on ESPN.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 3:35 PM | | Comments (6)
                    

May 12, 2008

Philistin named to Nagurski watch list

Maryland linebacker Dave Philistin has been named to the watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, making him one of 88 players under consideration for the award given to the nation's top defensive player.

Philistin is one of 10 athletes from the Atlantic Coast Conference on the list. The others are: Everette Brown and Myron Rolle of Florida State; Aaron Curry and Alphonso Smith of Wake Forest; Michael Hamlin of Clemson; Victor Harris of Virginia Tech; Vince Oghobaase of Duke; Clint Sintim of Virginia; and Brian Toal of Boston College.

Philistin, a senior from Manchester N.H., ranked fourth in the conference with 124 tackles last season.

LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey won the award in 2007.

Click here for the complete list.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 4:35 PM | | Comments (0)
                    

May 7, 2008

Williams named to Rimington watch list

Maryland offensive lineman Edwin Williams was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list today, becoming one of 42 players under consideration for the award given to the nation’s top center.

Williams, a fifth-year senior from Washington DC, started all 13 games at center for the Terps in each of his last two seasons. His 26 straight starts is tops among UM’s returning starters on offense.

Click here to see the complete Rimington Trophy spring watch list.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 3:47 PM | | Comments (0)
                    

April 27, 2008

Impressions from the Red-White game

For those Maryland fans clamoring for a few morsels of opinion from spring football, here goes:

The quarterback situation is a mess.

Based on what I saw Saturday at Byrd Stadium, something is going on with Chris Turner and the coaching staff. Either Turner's not a good fit for new coordinator James Franklin's system, or Ralph Friedgen feels some loyalty to Jordan Steffy. How else do you explain Steffy playing for both teams and Turner being relegated to sending in plays during the second half for Jamarr Robinson, who apparently has about as much chance to get on the field as either you or I do this season. (OK, maybe not me, but you.)

Then there was the way Josh Portis was used. Either the Florida transfer still has no grasp of the offense or Friedgen and Franklin didn't want to show much to any potential spies infiltrating the Red and White game. For all the hype this kid brought to Gainesville before Tim Tebow arrived, and for all the hype Portis brought with him to College Park, this has the makings of one of the biggest busts in recent college football history.

The running backs might be better than what they showed.

For all the concern about replacing Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore, Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green put on a pretty nice show. Scott, who showed some glimpses of stardom last season between long stints in the training room, had a 75-yard touchdown run called back. Green showed the ability to get tough yards, albeit coming against his own teammates. If the veteran offensive line can stay healthy, Scott and Green could be a pretty good combination.

Special teams needs some work.

New special teams coach Danny Pearman probably didn't sleep too well last night. Returning placekicker Obi Egekeze had a particularly rough afternoon, getting a field goal blocked, missing an extra point and having another field goal make it through after hitting an upright. There was also a muffed return on a punt.

The Terps will start up again in early August in preparation for the season opener Aug. 30 against Delaware.

At least Joe Flacco won't be playing for the Blue Hens.

Posted by Don Markus at 1:37 AM | | Comments (14)
                    

February 4, 2008

Six Terps named academic all-ACC

Six Maryland football players have been named to the ACC's all-academic team.

Offensive linemen Andrew Crummey, Edwin Williams and Phil Costa, tight end Dan Gronkowski, and special teamers Obi Egekeze and Travis Baltz were all recognized. According to a news release, Maryland had more players named to the team than any other ACC school.

To be eligible for consideration, a player must have earned a 3.00 grade-point average for the previous semester and maintained a 3.00 cumulative average during his academic career.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 4:14 PM | | Comments (4)
                    

January 7, 2008

Five Terps headed to all-star games

Five former Maryland football players will participate in postseason all-star games during the next month.

Tight end Joey Haynos and running back Keon Lattimore will play in Saturday’s Hula Bowl in Honolulu. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. EST.

Offensive guard Andrew Crummey will participate in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday, Jan. 19 at Robertson Stadium in Houston. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Defensive tackle Dre Moore will take part in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 26, which will take place at 4 p.m. and be shown on the NFL Network. The game takes place in Mobile, Ala.

And finally, defensive back J.J. Justice will play in the Texas vs. the Nation game on Saturday, Feb. 2 in El Paso, Texas. The game will kick off at 5 p.m. and be broadcast on CSTV.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 4:44 PM | | Comments (3)
                    

December 30, 2007

Terps seek new receivers coach

Maryland wide receivers coach Bryan Bossard will not be retained for the 2008 season, coach Ralph Friedgen announced today. 
 
“We appreciate Bryan’s efforts, but we need to move in a different direction at that position,” Friedgen said. “We wish Bryan luck in his future endeavors.”
 
Bossard, 40, coached the Terps’ wideouts for the past three seasons.
 
Prior to his time with Maryland, Bossard spent three seasons (2002-04) as the wide receivers coach at Delaware, his alma mater.
 
Friedgen will immediately begin a search to find Bossard’s replacement.

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 9:01 PM | | Comments (6)
                    

December 23, 2007

Terps hire Franklin as offensive coordinator

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 | | Comments (5)
                    

December 19, 2007

Injury update

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 | | Comments (0)
                    

December 12, 2007

An introduction to Oregon State 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)?

Oregon State DID beat its lame-Duck rival (Oregon) 38-31 in the Civil War game Dec. 1, but the BCS chaos on that day shook up the bowl pairings. West Virginia and Missouri lose, Hawaii wins to earn a BCS berth, and all of a sudden co-Pac 10 champ Arizona State is left out of the BCS. That dropped ASU to the Holiday Bowl - where the "San Diego! San Diego!'' chanting Beavers thought they were headed. ... OSU was in the Sun Bowl last year (39-38 thriller over Missouri) and OSU fans (and players) were not enamored with the idea of going back. ... the Sun Bowl committee was wise in voting to kick in its no-repeat clause and choose Oregon - even if it looked a little silly that the Pac-10's No. 3 team changed places with the Pac-10 No. 4 it had just beaten head-to-head.

 2.) Were the Beavers bitter at the apparent bowl snub?

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 | | Comments (9)
                    

December 11, 2007

Terps players talk about the Emerald Bowl

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 | | Comments (2)
                    

December 5, 2007

Friedgen ready to go bowling

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 | | Comments (0)
                    

November 29, 2007

Terps bowl projections -- Boise or San Francisco?

Based on most projections, either Boise, Idaho, or San Francisco will be the likely bowl destination for the Maryland football team.

The Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl kicks off on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. EST at Bronco Stadium, home of the Boise State Broncos.

The Emerald Bowl is set for Dec. 28 at 8:30 p.m. EST at AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants.

Here are some of the up-to-date bowl projections from national sports Web sites. If there are projections I've missed, let me know.

• ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel has the Terps pegged for Boise in a Humanitarian bowl matchup with Boise State, while Mark Schlabach envisions an Emerald Bowl date with UCLA.

• SI.com’s Stewart Mandel also projects the Terps will play in the Emerald Bowl, but the opponent he sees is California (who Maryland hosts Sept. 13, 2008).

• FoxSports.com predicts a Cal-Maryland matchup in the Emerald Bowl as well.

• CBSSportsline.com also pits the Terps and Golden Bears in San Francisco.

• Rivals.com foresees an Emerald Bowl with Maryland and UCLA.

• Scout.com has the Terps and Bears squaring off in the Emerald Bowl.

• MSNBC.com projects a Terps-Broncos matchup in the Humanitarian Bowl.

Of those predicted matchups, which one would you like to see? Click here to vote in a baltimoresun.com poll.

- Matt Bracken

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 6:51 PM | | Comments (11)
                    

November 27, 2007

More ACC football awards

Virginia's Al Groh was named ACC coach of the year, and Wake Forest running back Josh Adams was named the conference's rookie of the year today. No Terps received votes for offensive or defensive rookie of the year. Here's how the voting played out by 71 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. What do you think?

COACH OF THE YEAR

Al Groh, Virginia (38)

Jeff Jagodzinski, Boston College (22)

Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech (10)

Tommy Bowden, Clemson (1)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (51)

T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)

Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (1)

Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (1)

Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (1)

OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Josh Adams, RB, Wake Forest (52)

T.J. Yates, QB, North Carolina (12)

Tyrod Taylor, QB, Virginia Tech (5)

Graig Cooper, RB, Miami (2)

DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

Deunta Williams, S, North Carolina (48)

Charles Brown, CB, North Carolina (9)

Ras-I Dowling, DB, Virginia (5)

Morgan Burnett, DB, Georgia Tech (3)

Marvin Austin, DE, North Carolina (2)

Markus Kuhn, DE, N.C. State (2)

DeAndre McDaniel, S, Clemson (1)

Quan Sturdivant, LB, North Carolina (1)

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 3:47 PM | | Comments (0)
                    

November 26, 2007

All-ACC football teams announced

The Associated Press named its 2007 All-ACC football team today.

Maryland defensive tackle Dre Moore and linebacker Erin Henderson were first-team selections. Offensive lineman Andrew Crummey made the second team.

Running back Keon Lattimore was an honorable mention.

I've pasted the complete list of selections below, as voted on by 73 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. A first-team vote was worth two points and second team vote one. Do you agree with the selections? Are there any Terps that deserved recognition that didn't make the list?

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB—Matt Ryan, Boston College (143)

RB—Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech (143)

RB—James Davis, Clemson (131)

WR—Aaron Kelly, Clemson (128)

WR—Kenneth Moore, Wake Forest (117)

TE—Ryan Purvis, Boston College (109)

OT—Barry Richardson, Clemson (120)

OT—Andrew Gardner, Georgia Tech (85)

OG—Branden Albert, Virginia (105)

OG—Chris McDuffie, Clemson (100)

C—Steve Justice, Wake Forest (122)

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

QB—Cullen Harper, Clemson (70)

RB—Andre Callender, Boston College (72)

RB—Josh Adams, Wake Forest (51)

WR—Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (75)

WR—Eron Riley, Duke (38)

TE—Tom Santi, Virginia (60)

OT—Duane Brown, Virginia Tech (79(

OT—Gosder Cherilus, Boston College (64)

OG—Andrew Crummey, Maryland (86)

OG—Rodney Hudson, Florida State and Derrick Morse, Miami (51)

C—Kevin Tuminello, Georgia Tech (65)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DE—Chris Long, Virginia, Sr. (146)

DE—Chris Ellis, Virginia Tech (70)

DT—Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (93)

DT—Dre Moore, Maryland (51)

LB—Erin Henderson, Maryland (111)

LB—Xavier Adibi, Virginia Tech (104)

LB—Geno Hayes, Florida State (69)

CB—Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest (127)

CB—Victor Harris, Virginia Tech (81)

S—Jamie Silva, Boston College (130)

S—Kenny Phillips, Miami (85)

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

DE—Hilee Taylor, North Carolina (66)

DE—Darrell Robertson, Georgia Tech (36)

DT—Barry Booker, Virginia Tech (50)

DT—Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina (42)

LB—Durell Mapp, North Carolina (64)

LB—Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (54)

LB—Jolonn Dunbar, Boston College, and Phillip Weaver, Georgia Tech (48)

CB—DeJuan Tribble, Boston College (77)

CB—Brandon Flowers, Virginia Tech (73)

S—Michael Hamlin, Clemson (49)

S—DaJuan Morgan, N.C. State (48)

FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

K—Travis Bell, Georgia Tech (64)

P—Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech (126)

KR-PR—Eddie Royal, Virginia Tech (74)

SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS

K—Gary Cismesia, Florida State (40)

P—Ryan Weigand, Virginia (32)

KR-PR—Darrell Blackman, N.C. State (44)

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE

Keon Lattimore, RB, Maryland, (25); Brandon Robinson, WR, Boston College, (30); Eugene Monroe, OT, Virginia, (46); Kalani Heppe, OG, N.C. State, (21).

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE

Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson, (32); Calais Campbell, DE, Miami, (29); Alex Albright, DE, Boston College, (22); Ron Brace, DT, Boston College, (39); DeMario Pressley, DT, N.C. State, (38); Carlton Powell, DT, Virginia Tech, (25); Dorell Scott, DT, Clemson, (25); Vince Hall, LB, Virginia Tech, (38); Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State, (47); Chip Vaughn, S, Wake Forest, (45); Jamal Lewis, S, Georgia Tech, (25); D.J. Parker, S, Virginia Tech, (23).

HONORABLE MENTION SPECIAL TEAMS

Connor Barth, K, North Carolina, (35); Sam Swank, K, Wake Forest, (29); Graham Gano, P, Florida State, (24); Kevin Marion, KR-PR, Wake Forest, (32); C.J. Spiller, KR-PR, Clemson, (27); Brandon Tate, KR-PR, North Carolina, (25).

Posted by baltimoresun.com at 5:16 PM | | Comments (7)
                    

November 9, 2007

How could I forget?

One more ...

I can't go without thanking Debbie Yow for her patience with me. She's a sharp lady who never backed down from any of my questions and truly cares about Maryland athletics.

And I must thank those within the sports information department, particularly Jason Yaman with men's basketball and Shawn Nestor in football. Also the gone-but-not-forgotten Greg Creese in football. I couldn't do my job without you guys.

OK, that's it. I'm out.

hd

Posted by Heather Dinich at 10:31 AM | | Comments (10)
                    

Farewell Friday

Please. Don't cry.

There's no crying in sports writing.

OK, OK, seriously.

A few final thoughts on the Terps -- both hoops and football -- for you, as this will be my last blog for The Sun.

First, football, since they play first this weekend.

Ralph Friedgen has been too mopey this week to lead me to believe anything is going change anytime soon. As he likes to say (over and over and over), "It is what it is."

And so that's how it shall remain for the final three games.

For all of the extremists on the Maryland message boards who have been pondering Ralph's firing -- get real. It ain't gonna happen, at least not after this season. Maryland can't afford it. Could there be staff changes? Definitely. Should there be? Absolutely. Remember, though, in order to hire somebody (like, say, an offensive coordinator), they have to fire somebody. It's not my place to say who that should be.

I'm not convinced Ralph ISN'T the best choice for offensive coordinator. He's just too bogged down with the other day-to-day responsibilities of being a head coach. But what about the miscommunication of calling in plays, you ask?

Jordan Steffy wouldn't talk to me about it this week, other than to say that he's not always the one calling them in. And Ralph has to rely on his assistants in the box to help him see the field and make the right call.

The best part about covering Maryland football the past few years? The players. They're good kids who have stayed out of trouble, and their personalities have always made the late-night waits for their interviews worth it.

The worst part? Standing at practice in the freezing cold. Standing at practice when it's 115 degrees. Standing at practice.

Friday prediction: Boston College 31, Maryland 10.

Final prediction: Maryland 5-7 overall, 2-6 ACC (With Andrew Crummey, Dan Gronkowski and maybe a few others back, they've got a chance to win the last one at N.C. State). 

Thanks to the players and coaches in the program for your patience, access and time.

Now, for hoops.

Maryland basketball will be good this season, it's just a matter of when. After watching the exhibition game against Concordia, it seems as if Adrian Bowie, Braxton Dupree and Cliff Tucker are the front-runners to work their way into Gary Williams' rotation.

Dupree is huge. Bowie can shoot. Tucker can play just about anywhere.

The best part about covering Maryland basketball? Gary Williams. A reporter's dream. You never know what you're gonna get, and his sideline demeanor is sometimes more entertaining than the game itself. (Message to Maryland assistants: Good luck trying to keep GW in his box this season.) Have we had our moments? Sure. But when it comes to basketball -- just the game in its purity -- he's a good coach with a national championship to prove it.

The worst part about covering Maryland basketball? Gary Williams. Player interviews the day before a game can sometimes depend on what Gary had for breakfast and who they lost to the night before. Practices are closed. No peeking.

Final prediction: The Terps win at least 20 games and are back in the NCAA tournament. Eric Hayes will eventually shoot the lights out. The students and Testudo will miss me. :)

Thanks to Gary, his assistants and the players for your patience, time and access.

Thanks to Maryland fans for reading my stuff and for all of your kind words and e-mails this past week.

You know where to find me. See you there.

Posted by Heather Dinich at 8:30 AM | | Comments (21)