After using this week and last to heal up nicks and bruises, the University of Maryland football team will jump into its Atlantic Coast Conference play at No. 18 Georgia Tech on Saturday. It is the latest in the season that Maryland has started its ACC schedule since 1985, and it is possibly one of the most pivotal games of the season.
“I have been looking for that game where we can break through and put it all together and play to our potential,” Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.
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This game would fit the bill. The high-octane Yellow Jackets are 4-1 and average 29 points per game. A road win against a top-20 team would provide the confidence that Maryland has been lacking all season.
Friedgen scheduled a light week of practice after the Terps (3-1) beat Florida International on Sept. 23, working specifically with the skill position players and giving his linemen a break.
“We got a lot of kids well,” Friedgen said, speaking specifically of offensive linemen Stephon Heyer, Garrick Clig and Donnie Woods. In the team?s return to practice this week, Friedgen said his linemen were a little shaky but that he is confident they will practice well in the remaining time before the team heads to Atlanta.
“Pass protection is going to be very important in this game,” Friedgen said.
To protect quarterback Sam Hollenbach from the speedy Yellow Jacket defense, the Terps will play their entire two-deep roster. Hollenbach, however, worked on saving his lineman some time on the field.
“I think the one thing is making quicker decisions,” Hollenbach said. “That has been the emphasis. I don?t think you can ever work too hard at that at this position. It is easy to become too analytical.”
The man who will be directly between Hollenbach and the Georgia Tech defense said the Terps offensive line will be healthy and up to the challenge Saturday.
“Everybody on the offensive line is ready for the game,” starting center Edwin Williams said. “It is just nicks and bumps.”
Watching game film of the Florida International game, Williams credited mental errors, not intensity, as the problem in a lackluster 14-10 win.
“It was bad communication,” Williams said. “Everything was fixed. Everything is going to be all right.”
Williams? enthusiasm is being shared by the whole team, including the coach.
“Our practices have been good,” Friedgen said. “I think the mood is good, it is upbeat, the attitude is good. I am very excited for this game.”
TERP TIDBITS
» The Terps have only started the ACC schedule on their fifth game in 1976 and 1985. Both seasons, Maryland finished as the ACC champion.
» Georgia Tech is ranked No. 18 by the Associated Press and No. 20 in the coaches? poll. The Yellow Jackets won Saturday at Virginia Tech, 38-27.
» Maryland has apoor record playing against teams ranked by the AP. Since 1940, the Terps have gone 32-116-3 against AP-ranked opponents, with the last win coming over No. 19 Virginia in 2005.
