2009 Maryland Terrapins football team
Encyclopedia
The 2009 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland
during its 57th season
in the Atlantic Coast Conference
. The Terrapins played in the Atlantic Division of the conference, and competed against all five divisional opponents, two Coastal Division opponents on a rotational basis, and one permanent cross-divisional rival: Virginia. The rotating Coastal Division opponents were Virginia Tech and Duke. In 2009, Maryland played its second game of the home-to-home series against California, this year in Berkeley
.
The Terrapins finished the season with a record of 2–10, and 1–7 in ACC play, and failed to qualify for a bowl game. It was the first ten-loss season in school history.
James Franklin was officially named the head coach-in-waiting to succeed the 61-year old Ralph Friedgen
, who had three years remaining on his contract. ESPN
described the move as an effort to ensure Franklin, considered a top recruiter who had had other coaching opportunities, remained with Maryland.
announced his resignation. Cosh returned to Kansas State
as defensive coordinator and assistant coach to the recently re-hired Bill Snyder
, who had been head coach from 1996 to 2005. Cosh previously served under Snyder as linebackers coach from 2004 to 2005.
Outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson assumed interim defensive coordinator duties for the last game of the 2008 season, the Humanitarian Bowl
, and was considered in the running for the job full-time. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
also contacted Navy
defensive coordinator Buddy Green in order to gauge his interest for the position, but he declined in order to remain at Annapolis. South Carolina
secondary coach was also considered, but declined in order to take a job at the same position at LSU
with a $300,000 salary.
On January 9, 2009, it was announced that Massachusetts head coach Don Brown had been hired as the new defensive coordinator. Brown had served as head coach for UMass from 2004 to 2008, posting the best five-year record in school history, 43–19. His teams were ranked amongst the top-20 defenses in the nation three times: third in 2005, 20th in 2006, and 14th in 2007. The UMass scoring defense was ranked first in 2005 and fifth in 2006. Brown also has prior experience as a head coach at Northeastern
and Plymouth State and 11 years as a defensive coordinator. In a move to address criticisms of former coordinator Chris Cosh's defensive system which had been characterized as overly cautious, Ralph Friedgen said about Brown:
.
Maryland also lost special teams and tight ends coach, Danny Pearman, to Clemson at the end of the 2008 season. Shortly after being selected as Tommy Bowden
's permanent replacement, head coach Dabo Swinney
hired Clemson alum Pearman. Pearman played at Clemson as a tight end (1984–1987) and coached special teams and offensive and defensive tackles while at Alabama
(1990–1997). Swinney himself played at Alabama during that period as a wide receiver.
. Starting Z-receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
on January 7, 2009. In just three years, Heyward-Bey had achieved the number-two spot for Maryland career receiving yards (2,089), behind only Jermaine Lewis
. It had been widely speculated throughout the 2008 season that the junior would likely leave for the draft, and Rivals.com
, College Football News
, Sports Illustrated
, and ESPN
projected him as an early entrant and first-round selection. He was ultimately chosen as the seventh overall pick.
Mobile quarterback Josh Portis
transferred to the Division II school California University of Pennsylvania
for his last year of eligibility. He had been highly anticipated as a Florida
transfer and a dual-threat quarterback, but had seen little action in eight games, almost exclusively put in for one option
run at a time. Portis recorded one completion on three pass attempts, 31 rushing attempts for 186 yards and one touchdown. He saw a decrease in game action after the North Carolina game, where he participated in three plays including an incomplete pass to a wide open Darrius Heyward-Bey for a probable touchdown and a fumble on an option run.
In February 2009, wide receiver LaQuan Williams became academically ineligible and was dismissed from the team. Friedgen said that Williams could possibly return for the fall. Williams was injured throughout the 2008 season, but recorded a strong 2007 campaign including a crucial reception in the upset win over 10th-ranked Rutgers.
The following are some of the key players who will no longer play for Maryland in the 2009 season:
Offense:
Defense:
Special Teams:
† – Heyward-Bey entered the NFL Draft a year early
‡ – Portis transferred to California University of Pennsylvania
was called a "big-game performer [with] a chance to leave an imprint on the school record books." Maryland returned its three top running backs from 2008: Da'Rel Scott
, Davin Meggett
, and Morgan Green
. Despite the loss of Heyward-Bey, the Terrapins retained a great deal of athleticism at the wide receiver position with Torrey Smith
, and Ronnie Tyler
replaced Danny Oquendo
as a reliable third-down option. In total, Maryland entered the season with ten potential starters at wide receiver.
Offense:
Defense:
Special Teams:
rated the recruiting class as 25th in the nation, while Scout.com
ranked it 26th in the nation. Scout or Rivals.com four-star prospects included running backs Caleb Porzel and D.J. Adams, defensive lineman De'Onte Arnett, defensive back Travis Hawkins, and offensive lineman Pete White. The class also included eight linebackers, a position which Maryland had heavily recruited in order to backfill graduated players. Offensive tackle Nick Klemm had originally planned to go to Boston College
, but de-committed to sign with the Terrapins after Eagles' head coach Jeff Jagodzinski
was fired.
Maryland showed a strong interest in Porzel's Good Counsel
classmate Jelani Jenkins
, the number-one ranked prospective linebacker in the nation. Jenkins narrowed his possible school selection to a field of fifteen including Maryland, before ultimately signing with Florida
. Tavon Austin, a Rivals.com
four-star running back from Baltimore
, committed to West Virginia
despite strong interest from Maryland. On 2 February 2009, three-star offensive tackle Ryan Schlieper de-committed from Maryland and signed with Pittsburgh
.
On National Signing Day, the Terps secured thirteen recruits from Maryland and Washington, D.C. Four of the Rivals.com top-ten prospects in the state signed with Maryland. ESPN graded the class as a "B−", with the main criticism being that "too much good in-state talent has slipped away." It also cited a failure to land a highly-rated quarterback. During the signing day news conference, Friedgen stated:
forecast a fifth-place divisional finish for the Terps. Athlon also ranked Maryland as 57th out of the 120 Division I FBS teams.
Maryland began the 2009 season with the second game of the home-and-home series at California
. In Week 2, they faced James Madison
, which in 2008 advanced to the Division I FCS semi-finals. Two more home games, a rematch from 2008 against Middle Tennessee
and a game against Rutgers, rounded out Maryland's non-conference schedule.
On October 5, 2009, Jack Heise
, an influential alumni booster and avid Terrapins fan nicknamed "Mr. Maryland", died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The football team honored his memory by wearing Heise's initials on their helmets for the remainder of the 2009 season.
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
during its 57th season
2009 ACC football season
The 2009 ACC football season was an NCAA football season that was played from September 3, 2009, to January 5, 2010. The Atlantic Coast Conference consists of 12 members in two divisions. The Atlantic division consists of Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, North Carolina State and...
in the Atlantic Coast Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
. The Terrapins played in the Atlantic Division of the conference, and competed against all five divisional opponents, two Coastal Division opponents on a rotational basis, and one permanent cross-divisional rival: Virginia. The rotating Coastal Division opponents were Virginia Tech and Duke. In 2009, Maryland played its second game of the home-to-home series against California, this year in Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
.
The Terrapins finished the season with a record of 2–10, and 1–7 in ACC play, and failed to qualify for a bowl game. It was the first ten-loss season in school history.
Head coach-in-waiting
On February 6, 2009, offensive coordinatorOffensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
James Franklin was officially named the head coach-in-waiting to succeed the 61-year old Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
, who had three years remaining on his contract. ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
described the move as an effort to ensure Franklin, considered a top recruiter who had had other coaching opportunities, remained with Maryland.
Defensive coordinator
Upon the conclusion of the 2008 regular season, defensive coordinator Chris CoshChris Cosh
Chris Cosh , is an American football coach and currently holds the position of defensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Kansas State University...
announced his resignation. Cosh returned to Kansas State
Kansas State Wildcats football
The Kansas State Wildcats football program is the intercollegiate football program of the Kansas State University Wildcats. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big 12 Conference...
as defensive coordinator and assistant coach to the recently re-hired Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder
Bill Snyder is the head football coach at Kansas State University. He was rehired to the position on November 24, 2008, making Snyder one of the rare college football head coaches to have non-consecutive tenure at the same school. Snyder previously served as head coach at the school from 1989 to...
, who had been head coach from 1996 to 2005. Cosh previously served under Snyder as linebackers coach from 2004 to 2005.
Outside linebackers coach Al Seamonson assumed interim defensive coordinator duties for the last game of the 2008 season, the Humanitarian Bowl
2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
, and was considered in the running for the job full-time. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Friedgen
Ralph Harry Friedgen is an American football coach. He was the head coach at the University of Maryland from 2001 to 2010. Friedgen was previously an offensive coordinator at Maryland, Georgia Tech, and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers...
also contacted Navy
Navy Midshipmen football
The Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
defensive coordinator Buddy Green in order to gauge his interest for the position, but he declined in order to remain at Annapolis. South Carolina
South Carolina Gamecocks football
The South Carolina Gamecocks football team represents the University of South Carolina in NCAA Division I college football. The Gamecocks have been a member of the Southeastern Conference since 1992. Steve Spurrier is the current head coach, and the team plays its home games at Williams-Brice...
secondary coach was also considered, but declined in order to take a job at the same position at LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
with a $300,000 salary.
On January 9, 2009, it was announced that Massachusetts head coach Don Brown had been hired as the new defensive coordinator. Brown had served as head coach for UMass from 2004 to 2008, posting the best five-year record in school history, 43–19. His teams were ranked amongst the top-20 defenses in the nation three times: third in 2005, 20th in 2006, and 14th in 2007. The UMass scoring defense was ranked first in 2005 and fifth in 2006. Brown also has prior experience as a head coach at Northeastern
Northeastern Huskies
The Northeastern University Huskies are the athletic teams representing Northeastern University. They compete in thirteen varsity team sports: men's and women's hockey ; men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's field hockey and volleyball, swimming, and men's and women's soccer , and...
and Plymouth State and 11 years as a defensive coordinator. In a move to address criticisms of former coordinator Chris Cosh's defensive system which had been characterized as overly cautious, Ralph Friedgen said about Brown:
"He's going to be aggressive. He has a very aggressive philosophy, and he plays a different style defense than the norm. He's been successful against a lot of the new offenses that we're seeing, like the spread. He played against NavyNavy Midshipmen footballThe Navy Midshipmen football team represents the United States Naval Academy in NCAA Division I-A college football. They are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school and coached by Ken Niumatalolo since December 2007...
and Georgia SouthernGeorgia Southern Eagles footballThe Georgia Southern Eagles represent Georgia Southern University in football as part of the Southern Conference under head coach Jeff Monken. The Eagles have won an unprecedented six FCS national championships and eight Southern Conference championships and have produced two Walter Payton Award...
, so he's faced a lot of the different styles we see, but he has a little different approach to it."
Other coaching positions
For 2009, new defensive coordinator Don Brown will also oversee the cornerbacks, a role held in the previous season by secondary coach Kevin Lempa. Lempa will now coach only the safeties. Former inside linebackers coach Al Seamonson expanded his role to take over the entire linebacker corps. Friedgen expressed a strong desire to retain Seamonson, who lost out on the race for the defensive coordinator job. Seamonson, as interim defensive coordinator, helped coach Maryland to a 42–35 victory in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl2008 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ...
.
Maryland also lost special teams and tight ends coach, Danny Pearman, to Clemson at the end of the 2008 season. Shortly after being selected as Tommy Bowden
Tommy Bowden
Tommy Bowden is an American football coach who served as the head coach at Clemson University from 1999 until October 13, 2008...
's permanent replacement, head coach Dabo Swinney
Dabo Swinney
William Christopher "Dabo" Swinney is the head coach of the Clemson University Tigers football team; he was previously assistant head coach and wide receivers coach.-Playing career:...
hired Clemson alum Pearman. Pearman played at Clemson as a tight end (1984–1987) and coached special teams and offensive and defensive tackles while at Alabama
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
(1990–1997). Swinney himself played at Alabama during that period as a wide receiver.
Key Losses
Prior to the 2009 season, Maryland lost a significant amount of experience due to graduation. Thirty seniors, the largest class of Friedgen's tenure, graduated after the 2008 season or otherwise concluded their eligibility. Additionally, the team lost the previous season's receiving leader and feature wide receiver to the NFL DraftNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
. Starting Z-receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey
Darrius Heyward-Bey
-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
announced that he would forgo his senior year in order to enter the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
on January 7, 2009. In just three years, Heyward-Bey had achieved the number-two spot for Maryland career receiving yards (2,089), behind only Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Lewis
Jermaine Edward Lewis is a retired American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, who he played for until 2001...
. It had been widely speculated throughout the 2008 season that the junior would likely leave for the draft, and Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
, College Football News
College Football News
College Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
, Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
, and ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
projected him as an early entrant and first-round selection. He was ultimately chosen as the seventh overall pick.
Mobile quarterback Josh Portis
Josh Portis
Josh Portis is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was highly touted as one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospects out of high school...
transferred to the Division II school California University of Pennsylvania
California Vulcans
California University of Pennsylvania's intercollegiate sports teams and players are called the "Vulcans" , and participate in the NCAA's Division II in all sports and the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in most sports. The school colors are Red, Black, and White...
for his last year of eligibility. He had been highly anticipated as a Florida
Florida Gators football
The Florida Gators football team represents the University of Florida in the sport of American football. The Florida Gators compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference...
transfer and a dual-threat quarterback, but had seen little action in eight games, almost exclusively put in for one option
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
run at a time. Portis recorded one completion on three pass attempts, 31 rushing attempts for 186 yards and one touchdown. He saw a decrease in game action after the North Carolina game, where he participated in three plays including an incomplete pass to a wide open Darrius Heyward-Bey for a probable touchdown and a fumble on an option run.
In February 2009, wide receiver LaQuan Williams became academically ineligible and was dismissed from the team. Friedgen said that Williams could possibly return for the fall. Williams was injured throughout the 2008 season, but recorded a strong 2007 campaign including a crucial reception in the upset win over 10th-ranked Rutgers.
The following are some of the key players who will no longer play for Maryland in the 2009 season:
Offense:
- Darrius Heyward-BeyDarrius Heyward-Bey-Oakland Raiders:During Organized Team Activities following the draft, Heyward-Bey practiced early but was plagued by multiple hamstring injuries. On July 30, 2009, the Oakland Raiders agreed to terms on a five-year deal with Heyward-Bey.-External links:***...
(WR)† - Dan GronkowskiDan GronkowskiDan Gronkowski is an American football tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
(TE) - Danny OquendoDanny OquendoDaniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
(WR) - Josh PortisJosh PortisJosh Portis is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He was highly touted as one of the nation's top dual-threat quarterback prospects out of high school...
(QB)‡ - Edwin WilliamsEdwin WilliamsEdwin Williams is an American football offensive guard for the Chicago Bears. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
(OL)
Defense:
- Kevin BarnesKevin Barnes (American football)Kevin Barnes is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland, and was regarded as one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2009 NFL Draft...
(CB) - Moise FokouMoise FokouMoise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents...
(LB) - Jeremy NavarreJeremy NavarreJeremy Navarre is an American football defensive end for the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. He was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
(DL) - Dave PhilistinDave PhilistinDave Philistin is an American football linebacker. He played for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. Philistin is a 2011 UFL Draft choice of the Las Vegas Locomotives.-Early years:...
(LB)
Special Teams:
- Obi EgekezeObi EgekezeChukweume Obi Egekeze is an American football placekicker. He played college football for the University of Maryland from 2006 to 2008. He was the team's starting placekicker in 2007 and 2008, scoring 164 points, kicking 32 field goals, and converting 68 consecutive extra points without a miss...
(K)
† – Heyward-Bey entered the NFL Draft a year early
‡ – Portis transferred to California University of Pennsylvania
Key Returns
Maryland entered the 2009 season with just nine returning starters, the fewest in the ACC, and 56% of its lettermen from the prior year, the lowest of any team other than the service academies. The defensive and offensive lines suffered significant attrition, but the Terrapins are considered deep at the skill positions. Senior quarterback Chris TurnerChris Turner (American football)
Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
was called a "big-game performer [with] a chance to leave an imprint on the school record books." Maryland returned its three top running backs from 2008: Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott
Da'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett
Davin Meggett is an American college football running back for the Maryland Terrapins. He currently is the starting running back for the Terrapins. He is the son of former NFL player Dave Meggett.-Early life:...
, and Morgan Green
Morgan Green
Morgan Green is an American former college and high school football player. He played as a running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland. He played interscholastic football for Henry E...
. Despite the loss of Heyward-Bey, the Terrapins retained a great deal of athleticism at the wide receiver position with Torrey Smith
Torrey Smith
James Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, and Ronnie Tyler
Ronnie Tyler
Ronnie Tyler is an American college football player. He is a wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
replaced Danny Oquendo
Danny Oquendo
Daniel "Danny" Oquendo, Jr. is an American football player. He is a former wide receiver for the Maryland Terrapins of the University of Maryland.-Early years:...
as a reliable third-down option. In total, Maryland entered the season with ten potential starters at wide receiver.
Offense:
- Phil CostaPhil Costa (American football)Phil Costa is an American football center and guard for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League...
(C), most experienced returning lineman - Da'Rel ScottDa'Rel ScottDa'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
(RB), returning leader in rushing yards (959) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
(WR), returning leader in receiving yards (303) - Chris TurnerChris Turner (American football)Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
(QB), returning leader in passing yards (2,318)
Defense:
- Jamari McCollough (DB), returning leader in interceptions (4)
- Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
(ILB), second-leading ACC tackler in 2008 (133)
Special Teams:
- Travis BaltzTravis BaltzTravis Baltz is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after playing college football for Maryland.-Early years:...
(P) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
(WR/RS), ACC record for kick return yards (1,089)
Recruiting
Maryland secured several highly-touted recruits, and Rivals.comRivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
rated the recruiting class as 25th in the nation, while Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
ranked it 26th in the nation. Scout or Rivals.com four-star prospects included running backs Caleb Porzel and D.J. Adams, defensive lineman De'Onte Arnett, defensive back Travis Hawkins, and offensive lineman Pete White. The class also included eight linebackers, a position which Maryland had heavily recruited in order to backfill graduated players. Offensive tackle Nick Klemm had originally planned to go to Boston College
Boston College Eagles football
The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division...
, but de-committed to sign with the Terrapins after Eagles' head coach Jeff Jagodzinski
Jeff Jagodzinski
-United Football League:-External links:*...
was fired.
Maryland showed a strong interest in Porzel's Good Counsel
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Montgomery County, Maryland)
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory high school in Olney, an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington....
classmate Jelani Jenkins
Jelani Jenkins
Jelani Jenkins is an American football player. He currently starts at linebacker for the University of Florida. Jenkins was one of the highest ranked college recruits in the high school class of 2009.-High school:...
, the number-one ranked prospective linebacker in the nation. Jenkins narrowed his possible school selection to a field of fifteen including Maryland, before ultimately signing with Florida
2009 Florida Gators football team
The 2009 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2009 college football season...
. Tavon Austin, a Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
four-star running back from Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, committed to West Virginia
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
despite strong interest from Maryland. On 2 February 2009, three-star offensive tackle Ryan Schlieper de-committed from Maryland and signed with Pittsburgh
2009 Pittsburgh Panthers football team
The 2009 Pittsburgh Panthers football team represented the University of Pittsburgh in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season was the fifth under head coach Dave Wannstedt. The 2009 season marked the team's ninth at Heinz Field and the University's 120th season overall. The 2009...
.
On National Signing Day, the Terps secured thirteen recruits from Maryland and Washington, D.C. Four of the Rivals.com top-ten prospects in the state signed with Maryland. ESPN graded the class as a "B−", with the main criticism being that "too much good in-state talent has slipped away." It also cited a failure to land a highly-rated quarterback. During the signing day news conference, Friedgen stated:
"We are very happy with this class. It is a large recruiting class. I feel that it met a lot of our needs. We lost a lot of [linebackers, offensive lineman, and defensive lineman last year]. We were able to fill those needs with this class of players. I think that if you were to describe this recruiting class, they are a big, athletic bunch of athletes who can run and hit. They are also good students. I am really putting an emphasis on guys who can be successful in life, and who have goals that they want to achieve ... We have 15 local-area players. There are some others that we would have liked to have, but you are never going to get all of them. We put a lot of stock in trying to recruit the local-area kids."
Schedule
In the preseason, the Terrapins were predicted to finish last (sixth) in the ACC Atlantic Division by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele's, and The Sporting NewsThe Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
forecast a fifth-place divisional finish for the Terps. Athlon also ranked Maryland as 57th out of the 120 Division I FBS teams.
Maryland began the 2009 season with the second game of the home-and-home series at California
2009 California Golden Bears football team
The 2009 California Golden Bears football team represented the University of California, Berkeley in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision competition during the 2009 season...
. In Week 2, they faced James Madison
2009 James Madison Dukes football team
The 2009 James Madison Dukes football team represented James Madison University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FCS football season. JMU finished the season 6-5 with a record of 4-4 in the Colonial Athletic Association.-Schedule:...
, which in 2008 advanced to the Division I FCS semi-finals. Two more home games, a rematch from 2008 against Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represents Middle Tennessee State University in NCAA Division I FBS football competition. The Blue Raiders, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, play their home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.Rick Stockstill has...
and a game against Rutgers, rounded out Maryland's non-conference schedule.
On October 5, 2009, Jack Heise
Jack Heise
John Irvin "Jack" Heise, Jr. was an important benefactor of the University of Maryland. His dedication to Terrapins sports earned him the nickname "Mr. Maryland".-Early life:...
, an influential alumni booster and avid Terrapins fan nicknamed "Mr. Maryland", died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The football team honored his memory by wearing Heise's initials on their helmets for the remainder of the 2009 season.
All-America honors
- Nick Ferrara, PK, Phil Steele Publications freshman All-America2009 College Football All-America TeamAn All-American team is an honorary sports team for a specific season composed of the best amateur players at each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
second team - A. J. Francis, DL, College Football NewsCollege Football NewsCollege Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
freshman All-America2009 College Football All-America TeamAn All-American team is an honorary sports team for a specific season composed of the best amateur players at each position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply "All-Americans". Although the honorees generally do not...
honorable mention
All-conference honors
- R. J. Dill, OL, Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
freshman All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team - Nick Ferrara, PK, Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
freshman All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team - Nick Ferrara, PK, The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
freshman All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team - A. J. Francis, DL, The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
freshman All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team - Demetrius Hartsfield, LB, Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
freshman All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
team - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
first team (as wide receiver) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
second team (as specialist) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, Phil Steele Publications All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
first team (as wide receiver) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
first team (as wide receiver) - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, Phil Steele Publications All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
second team (as kick returner) - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, LB, All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
second team - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, LB, College Football NewsCollege Football NewsCollege Football News is a magazine and website published by College Football News, Inc., headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. News coverage includes scores, statistics, rankings, and reports on college football games. Analysis includes comparisons between teams, predictions of game outcomes and...
All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
first team - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, LB, Phil Steele Publications All-ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
first team
Players of the week
- Demetrius Hartsfield, LB, AT&TAT&TAT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
All-America Player of the Week Award nominee, October 2, 2009 - Demetrius Hartsfield, LB, ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Freshman of the Week, October 2, 2009 - Nick Ferrara, PK, ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Co-Specialist of the Week, October 2, 2009 - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Specialist of the Week, October 9, 2009 - Torrey SmithTorrey SmithJames Torrey Smith is an American wide receiver and kickoff returner in the National Football League. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2011 NFL Draft. Smith attended Stafford Senior High School in Stafford, Virginia, where he played basketball and football. He accepted a scholarship...
, WR, ACCAtlantic Coast ConferenceThe Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
Specialist of the Week, November 6, 2009
Watch lists
- Travis BaltzTravis BaltzTravis Baltz is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011 after playing college football for Maryland.-Early years:...
, Ray Guy AwardRay Guy AwardThe Ray Guy Award is presented annually to college football's top punter by the Greater Augusta Sports Council. The award is named after punter Ray Guy, a former All-American at Southern Mississippi and an all-pro player for the Oakland Raiders.-Criteria:...
watch list - Da'Rel ScottDa'Rel ScottDa'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, Doak Walker AwardDoak Walker AwardThe Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker...
watch list - Da'Rel ScottDa'Rel ScottDa'Rel Scott is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was the starting running back for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland...
, Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
watch list - Chris TurnerChris Turner (American football)Chris Turner is an American football quarterback. He played quarterback for the Maryland Terrapins at the University of Maryland from 2007 to 2009...
, Johnny Unitas Award watch list - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, Bronko Nagurski TrophyBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
watch list - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, Chuck Bednarik AwardChuck Bednarik AwardThe Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States...
watch list - Alex WujciakAlex WujciakAlex Wujciak is an American football linebacker. He was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Maryland.-Early years:Wujciak was born on April 15, 1988 to Alan and Erin Wujciak in West Caldwell, New Jersey...
, Lombardi AwardLombardi AwardThe Rotary Lombardi Award is awarded annually to the best college football lineman or linebacker. The Lombardi Award program was approved by the Rotary Club in Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi. The committee outlined the criteria for eligibility for the award, which...
watch list