Following the excitement of 69,348 gathering to watch Maryland defeat Navy in Baltimore last Labor Day, the University of Maryland has agreed to play two more games at M&T Bank Stadium in the coming years.
The Terps will welcome rival West Virginia to the Charm City on Sept. 21, 2013 and ACC foe Virginia Tech in 2014. The date for the contest against the Hokies will not be announced until the Atlantic Coast Conference releases its schedule in the early portion of 2014.
The announcement is encouraging for the many Maryland supporters clamoring for the Terps’ need to have a stronger presence in Baltimore.
“We’ve been successful in our recent games in Baltimore in every aspect,” said Maryland athletic director Kevin Anderson to the university website. “The feedback from our players and fans has been overwhelmingly positive. Since our arrivals, [head coach] Randy Edsall and I have traveled throughout Maryland. In those travels, it’s become clear that since our University represents the entire state, we must have a strong presence everywhere, particularly in Baltimore.”
Maryland renewed its rivalry with the Mountaineers last season and will host West Virginia at Byrd Stadium this Sept. 17 before traveling to Morgantown in 2012.
Growing up in nearby Glen Rock, Pa., Edsall was a Baltimore sports fan who rooted for the Orioles and Colts in addition to Maryland, the school he called his “dream job” upon being hired earlier this year to succeed longtime coach Ralph Friedgen.
“This is a great opportunity for our student-athletes and the entire state of Maryland,” Edsall said to the school’s website. “We get a chance to increase our fan base, as well as reach out to our alums and followers in the Baltimore area. Playing in M&T Bank Stadium also helps in our recruiting efforts since Baltimore is one of our prime areas. In addition, our current players are always excited to play in an NFL stadium.”
Maryland opens its 2011 season in a nationally-televised matchup on Monday, Sept. 5 against the University of Miami at Byrd Stadium.
