Military Bowl 2010: 10 Things To Know About the Maryland Terrapins
The Military Bowl will be played December 29, 2010 at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. The Maryland Terrapins have accepted a bid to play the East Carolina Pirates.
Maryland is in the midst of a bounce-back season, and East Carolina is barely bowl eligible after a late-season slump derailed its quick start.
Seeing as Maryland is the favorite, join B/R as we take a look at 10 things you should know about the Terps before kickoff.
Record: 8-4, 5-3 ACC
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Maryland came back strong after a 2-10 season just a year ago, winning eight games, five of them in the ACC.
The Terps also defended their home field, losing only once at Byrd Stadium all season long (Florida State).
Freshman Danny O'Brien
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Freshman Danny O'Brien has been a bright spot for the Terps at quarterback this season. O'Brien finally stepped in after Maryland's loss to West Virginia and went 6-3 as a starter, including road wins at Boston College and Virginia.
O'Brien passed for over 2,250 yards and 21 touchdowns while limiting himself to just six interceptions in 10 games played.
O'Brien finished six of his nine starts without a single turnover, a large reason why Maryland is tied for seventh in the nation in best turnover margin.
Danny O'Brien was also the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2010.
RFK Stadium
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The Military Bowl will be played in Washington, DC at RFK Stadium—not far from College Park, where the Terps make their home.
Though East Carolina fans will travel, Maryland's home field advantage should be rather significant given the location.
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Torrey Smith's Big Play Potential
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The Terrapin wideout is as explosive as they come. In Maryland's regular season finale Smith had a career day in a win over NC State, catching 14 balls for 224 yards and four touchdowns.
Smith is freshman Danny O'Brien's favorite receiver, and there isn't any wonder why.
Terps' Double Ground Threat
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Maryland doesn't have just one talented back, but two. Davin Meggett shares carries with senior Da'Rel Scott.
Meggett is a junior and son of former NFL running back Dave Meggett. Both Meggett and Scott have over 100 carries this season, and both have gone over 500 yards rushing this season. They also have a combined seven touchdowns on the ground.
Meggett is clearly the No. 1 option though, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
Don't be surprised to see freshman D.J. Adams get a few touches as well. The back has seven touchdowns on just 54 carries.
A Solid Kicking Game
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The Terps will have a great advantage if they have to settle for field goals in this game. Senior Travis Baltz has had a superb season kicking the ball, connecting on all 47 of his extra point attempts and only missing three field goals all year.
An 81.3 percent kicker, Baltz is perfect from inside 30 yards and even hit his only attempt outside of 50 yards.
Baltz also swings field position as the punter and averages 42 yards per punt this season for the Terrapins.
Quality Defensive Play
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Maryland's defense has played well this season—not great, but well enough for them to win games.
The defense forced a number of turnovers that led to Maryland success, as well as contributing to the Terrapins' excellent turnover margin this season.
Maryland's defense held opponents to just 22.3 points per game this season, allowing just 29.5 points in its losses.
3-1 in Non-Conference Play
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The Terrapins have done well outside of the conference this season, winning three of four games. The only stumble was a 14-point loss on the road at West Virginia.
In Maryland's wins, they outscored their opponents 121-45. In comes ECU, loser of four of its past five games.
Ralph Friedgen
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Ralph Friedgen was excellent this season as the Terps' head coach, resurrecting the program after a two-win season last year.
His efforts were good enough to have him named the 2010 ACC Coach of the Year.
In his 10th season as the Terrapins' head coach, Friedgen has taken his team to seven bowl games and is 4-2 in the previous six.
Student Section
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Maryland has always had one of the nation's best fanbases, but the lackluster Military Bowl at RFK Stadium seems like a downer for Terps fans, whose team was a win away from a possible Orange Bowl bid.
For ECU at 6-6, a late December bowl game against an 8-4 ACC team is perhaps as good as it gets, and that's why the Pirates might be more into this game.
However, it is Maryland football, and until Duke comes to town, Terps fans have nowhere else to be on December 29th.
Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.
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