Terrapins Are Stationed for Season to Remember

Tim O’Hare was the quarterback, Steve Atkins was the leading rusher, Dean Richards caught the most passes and Ed Loncar scored the most points.

If you find yourself scratching your head a bit, you’re probably not alone.

But those were the names of the moment the last time (1978) the Maryland Terrapins started the way they have in 2001.

After a 41-21 victory against Virginia at College Park, Md., on Saturday, the No. 25 Terrapins--ranked for the first time since 1995--are 5-0 and atop the Atlantic Coast Conference standings by themselves.

“I think we won a very, very big game in Maryland football history,” first-year coach and Maryland alum Ralph Friedgen.

Friedgen should know since there haven’t been many of them.

The Terrapins, who haven’t been to a bowl game since 1990, have the nation’s leading rusher (Bruce Perry) and continue to defy predictions.

Asked to describe how it feels to be 5-0, receiver Guilan Gary said, “I don’t really have words for it because I’ve never been here.”

Don’t fret, Guilan, not even Boomer Esiason (1981-83) can boast a start like your team has posted.

“This was certainly the best team we’ve played this year, and the most physical team we’ve played,” said first-year Virginia Coach Al Groh. “I was impressed.”

But Maryland still has plenty of work to do.

In 1999, the Terrapins won their first three only to lose their last four to finish 5-6. In 1995, after winning its first four, Maryland closed 1-4 to finish 6-5.

Even in ‘78, after starting 8-0, the Terrapins lost three of their final four, including a 42-0 blowout against Texas in the Sun Bowl.

“Winning was something we had to do to turn the corner and start something new here at Maryland,” quarterback Shaun Hill said. “We’re on the right track, but we can’t let up now.”

Fighting the Good Fight

Army ended a seven-game losing streak with a 28-14 victory against Houston on Saturday, but more important, players attached special meaning to winning the first game at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y., since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Cadets’ first victory this season after three losses was a welcome respite, but the players also realize the battles against terrorism that may await easily put a game in perspective.

“We feel our responsibilities as football players is to go out and play football--for the fans, for the Corps, for the Army,” said co-captain Clint Dodson, who caught seven touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in the first half. “We’re a rallying point. I’ve been getting e-mails from people all over the world saying, ‘We are looking at you guys and looking up to you.”’

Running Rampant

Behind every great rusher--actually in front of--is a great offensive line.

It’s no different for Adrian Peterson, the Division I-AA Georgia Southern back who seems to set a rushing record every week his team plays.

Peterson set the NCAA all-division record for consecutive regular-season games with more than 100 yards rushing, finishing with 105 in the Eagles’ 50-14 victory against Western Carolina.

R.J. Bowers of Grove City College held the previous record of 35 from 1998-2000.

“The most important thing today was that we came together,” said Peterson, who deferred to quarterback J.R. Revere’s career-high 194 yards rushing. “Everybody came out and turned it up.”

It’s no secret that Georgia Southern linemen have felt the pressure to keep Peterson’s streak going.

“There is pressure because we feel like it’s our fault if A.P. is not getting his yards since he’s such a great back,” center Charles Clarke told the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. “... we like to take some of the credit for those records he has set.”

Love of Green

On a smaller scale, although at the Division I-A level, Boston College’s William Green has put together an impressive rushing streak of his own.

The junior from Atlantic City, N.J., rushed for 113 yards in a 33-10 victory against Temple, his fifth consecutive effort above the 100-yard mark. Green, the nation’s second-leading rusher behind Maryland’s Perry, came in averaging 150 yards per game.

Green didn’t reach 100 yards until he scored on his final carry of the day, a 28-yard run with 1:40 left.

“Everything I get I’m going to have to earn,” Green told the Boston Globe last week, realizing he is the focal point for opposing defenses.

“I kinda know the guys are looking out for me, but it’s part of the game. ... We’ve got to do everything we can to keep beating them up.”

How the Tide Can Turn

After losing its first three games, Georgetown turned around its fortunes with--of all things--a blocked extra-point attempt.

After Duquesne’s Josh Rue returned an interception to tie the score, 13-13, with 3:46 left, Georgetown’s Scott Pogorelec blocked Earl Bellisario’s kick and Byron Anderson returned it for two points and the margin of victory.

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Compiled by Jim Barrero