Clemson (ACC) @ Maryland (ACC)
Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (51,500)
Saturday, October 2, 2009 12:00 ET
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Radio: The Terrapin Sports Radio Network, WJZ-FM
Clemson 2008 Complete Schedule (7-6, 4-4 ACC)
August 30 vs. No. 24 Alabama L 34-10
September 6 Citadel W 45-17
September 13 North Carolina State W 27-9
September 20 South Carolina State W 54-0
September 27 Maryland L 20-17
October 9 at No. 21 Wake Forest L 12-7
October 18 Georgia Tech L 21-17
November 1 at Boston College W 27-21
November 8 at No. 22 Florida State L 41-27
November 15 Duke W 31-7
November 22 at Virginia W 13-3
November 29 South Carolina W 31-14
January 1 vs. NebraskaL 26-21
2009 Complete Schedule (2-2, 1-1 ACC)
September 5 Middle Tennessee State W 37-14
September 10 at No. 15 Georgia Tech L 30-27
September 19 Boston College W 25-7
September 26 No. 15 TCU L 14-10
October 3 at Maryland 12:00 PM ET
October 17 Wake Forest
October 24 at No. 17 Miami (FL)
October 31 Coastal Carolina
November 7 Florida State
November 14 at North Carolina State
November 21 Virginia
November 28 at South Carolina
Matchup History
Clemson has the upper hand in the series with the record of 29-24-2 dating back to the first game being played between these two ACC foes in 1952. The Terps may have won on a game-ending play last season, but the Tigers of Clemson have owned winning two out of the past three meetings.
Home Terps
The Terps have been blessed this season with a home-heavy schedule that has them playing in Byrd Stadium 7 out of their 12 games including a 4-game home stand that ends with Clemson. With a home winning percentage of .723, Maryland has proved that they play their best in front of the fans wearing red. This season however, the Terps are 1-2 at home and look to play a good Clemson team in their ACC opener.
Friedgen ACC Play
Ralph Friedgen is 37-27 (.578) in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Terps themselves are historically always a contender in the ACC. As of late, the Terps have not been making any sort of splash in the growing ACC.
Head Coach on the Hot Seat
Earlier this year, Maryland Athletic Director Debbie Yow announced that the eventual successor to Head Coach Ralph Friedgen would be offensive coordinator James Franklin. This announcement was made under the impression that Friedgen would finish out his contract, which expires in 2011. But with Maryland's declining skills and bleak future for improvement, it is difficult to say whether coach will last that long.
One Maryland Native on Clemson Roster
Clemson only has one Maryland native on their 2009 official roster. Ronald Shamley, from Temple Hills, MD is a senior wide receiver.
South Carolina Native Terps
The University of Maryland Terrapins sport four players on their roster that originate from South Carolina. Sophomore Ronnie Tyler, freshmen Avery Murray, freshmen Justin Anderson, and sophomore Stephen St. John all call South Carolina their home.
Rebound
Both teams are coming off fresh out-of-conference losses just a week removed. Clemson lost at home to No. 15 TCU while Maryland was pummeled at home in the rain by Rutgers. Both teams look to improve upon a shaky start to the season.
Must Win?
This game may not mean much to the general scheme of the BCS, but the Terps need this win to still have a chance to contend in the ACC. Their schedule doesn't leave room for many mistakes along the way. If Maryland wins this game, their status among the best in the conference may be a tad more solidified. Right now, they aren't even in the conversation.