COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Hoping to build upon their 1-0 start after a 17-14 victory over Navy at M&T Bank Stadium on Labor Day, the Maryland Terrapins will host the Morgan State Bears at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday night.
The Terps (1-0) would figure to have few problems against Morgan, the local FCS school from the MEAC that won its opener behind the leg of kicker Kemar Scarlett, who booted four field goals in an unconventional 14-7 victory over Bowie State last Saturday.
A difficult battle in Morgantown looms next Saturday for the Terps, so coach Ralph Friedgen clearly expects a crisp performance against the Bears. Despite rushing for 92 yards against the Midshipmen, quarterback Jamarr Robinson struggled in the passing game, completing just two passes for 11 yards despite having a talented group of wide receivers at his disposal.
The game can only be seen on ESPN3.com (formerly ESPN360), so be sure to join us in the Turtle Power chat, as I’ll be coming to you live from Byrd Stadium in College Park. If you’ve ever joined our live chats at WNST.net, you know they’re the best way to watch the game other than being in the stadium!
Check back right here for updates and pre-game notes (time-stamped below) leading up to kickoff at 6:00 p.m. You’ll be watching the game on your computer anyway, so watch the game with us at WNST.net and experience Turtle Power!
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5:55 p.m. — LaMont Jordan is an honorary captain for the Terps today. Jordan is the all-time leading rusher at Maryland. His 36 career touchdowns rank second on the school’s all-time list. Of course, Jordan went on to play for the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders in the NFL, totaling 3,734 yards and 28 touchdowns in his pro career.
J.B. Brown was the second honorary captain for tonight’s game. Brown was a three-year starter in the Maryland secondary and made 130 tackles in his career (1985-88). He went on to play 12 years in the NFL.
5:25 p.m. — Placekicker Nick Ferrara is out again today as he continues to nurse a groin injury. Travis Baltz will handle field goals as well as his regular punting duties, and Ted Townsley will kick off for the Terrapins.
Running back Gary Douglas is dressed to play after sitting out the Navy game with a sprained ankle.
Despite playing in the same state, tonight will mark the first meeting between Maryland and Morgan State in football. I won’t remind you what happened on the Comcast Center floor a couple years ago when the Bears came to visit Gary Williams and the Terrapins.
Tonight’s game will also be the first time the Terps have faced a current member of the MEAC. It will also be the first game against an FBS (Div. I-A) school for Morgan.
Though they are a 36-point favorite over the Bears, the Terps are coming off a short week after their season-opening victory over Navy on Monday. Maryland has now won six of its last seven openers and are 7-3 in the season’s first game under coach Ralph Friedgen.
