No. 21 Terps seek appropriate encore

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Posted 7:16AM on Wednesday, August 28, 2002

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - Playing the role of the upstart contender, Maryland's football team last year enjoyed a euphoric, fulfilling season. Now it's time to see how the 21st-ranked Terrapins handle prosperity. Coming off a 10-2 season that produced their first Atlantic Coast Conference title since 1985 and a trip to the prestigious Orange Bowl, the Terrapins will be seeking a fitting encore in 2002. They've lost their starting quarterback from a year ago and star running back Bruce Perry will miss at least a month because of a groin injury, but the Terrapins have something far more important: confidence. ``We don't really have the sense of doubt that we had a year ago,'' senior guard Todd Wike said Tuesday. ``Last year we were excited about getting a new system, but we weren't sure if everything was going to work out. Now we know how to win, and what it takes to win.'' If success has gone to their heads, then second-year coach Ralph Friedgen is all for it. ``One thing we have this year that we didn't have last year is the belief that we can win,'' Friedgen said. ``We're starting off in a better situation that we did a year ago. We have younger kids, but there is a confidence that wasn't there before.'' Before Friedgen came to town, Maryland had little reason to expect anything but disaster. The program had one winning season and no bowl appearances since 1991 under head coaches Joe Krivak, Mark Duffner and Ron Vanderlinden. But Friedgen miraculously turned it all around. First, the portly coach first convinced the Terrapins that they could make some noise in a conference previously dominated by Florida State. Then, he took the Terrapins all the way to the top of the ACC. Maryland finished with a No. 11 ranking, and Friedgen took home the trophy signifying his selection as The Associated Press coach of the year. As defending ACC champions, the Terrapins won't sneak up on anyone this year. The test begins Saturday night at The Meadowlands against Notre Dame in the Kickoff Classic. Playing in a high-profile game against a storied team such as Notre Dame indicates just how far the Terrapins have come in the span of one year. ``This is a huge game for our program. I think everyone knows that,'' Wike said. The players also know that one whirlwind season isn't enough to ensure the program a place among football giants such as Notre Dame, Nebraska, Oklahoma and, yes, Florida State. Despite Maryland's breakthrough season, the ACC writers have installed the Seminoles as favorites to win the league title in 2002. ``It's nothing new. People still doubt us, even though we won the conference championship and got to the Orange Bowl,'' standout linebacker E.J. Henderson said. Henderson, the 2001 ACC Player of the Year, decided against entering the NFL draft to return for his senior season and further establish Maryland as a formidable football program. He will be the centerpiece of a defense that lost linebacker Aaron Thompson, defensive tackle Charles Hill and three starters in the backfield: Tony Okanlawon, Randall Jones and Tony Jackson. Henderson missed spring drills after undergoing back surgery in April, and saw limited action in practice this summer. But he vows to be 100 percent by Saturday. ``Once game-time comes, there won't be any time for caution. I'll let it all hang out,'' he said. Henderson isn't the only star whose health is an issue. Perry, who ran for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, will be missed. Redshirt freshman Mario Merrills has the edge over Jason Crawford as the likely starter. The quarterback issue remains a mystery. If Friedgen has decided upon either Scott McBrien or Chris Kelley as his starter, he wasn't telling Tuesday. ``When you see that guy run out on the sidelines Saturday, you'll know who our quarterback is,'' Friedgen said. To his credit, Kelley has done an amazing job in bouncing back from offseason knee surgery. But McBrien has the edge in experience, having thrown 99 passes as a backup for West Virginia in 2000. And for Maryland, experience is a good thing. So is a forgiving 13-game schedule, which includes early games against Akron, Eastern Michigan and Wofford. ``I think the good part about our schedule is that we have most of our conference games at the end of the year,'' Friedgen said. ``I hope that gives our young kids, our freshmen, time to develop.''