News and Notes

News and notes from various blogs, newspapers

Maryland and West Virginia extend football series
Maryland and West Virginia have extended their football rivalry until at least 2017. The two schools had been scheduled to play until 2013 and now they will play another four seasons. I love this rivalry and was happy to see this. For the record, Maryland will be home in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017. West Virginia will be home in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

46 meetings from 1980 to 2007 and West Virginia leads 23-21-2.

Maryland vs Florida International
The Terps home game against Florida International on September 25 will kickoff at noon and be televised on ESPNU.

Tidbits from Coach Ralph Friedgen's press conference
wanted to post more from Coach Ralph Friedgen’s Sunday teleconference:

Friedgen said he was “not displeased” with the performance of starter Jamarr Robinson, who threw two touchdown passes and one interception. Back up Danny O’Brien made some mistakes as well, even though he threw three touchdown passes in his first four pass attempts of his career. Friedgen acknowledged that O’Brien gave the team a spark and said “we’ve got two good quarterbacks and that should make us stronger."

Freshman Devin Burns will now be the third-string quarterback in place of C.J. Brown, who suffered a broken collarbone.

Speaking of O’Brien, he suffered a sprained right ankle in the game. It's not as serious as previously thought. I read he could have come back in the game if needed, but it remains to be seen if he can play Saturday at West Virginia.

Defensive end Marcus Whitfield will undergo an MRI on Monday to reveal the extent of damage to his knee. Whitfield dislocated his patella and also hurt his MCL. If it’s just an MCL injury, he’ll be out no more than four weeks. But if the ligament behind the patella (kneecap) is torn, then that’s a lot more serious.

Tight end Will Yeatman (broken finger) will return to practice this week and may be able to play at West Virginia. He may need to wear a cast on his hand, which would make it impossible for him to catch passes. But he can still block.

Friedgen also said the team needs to work of reducing penalties. The Terps were penalized for 110 yards. Can't do that vs West Virginia.

Travis Baltz kicked two 47-yard field goals. Last time a Maryland player made two field goals 45 yards or longer was during the 2003 season and Nick Novak kicked 54 and 48 yard field goalss. Friedgen said Baltz will be the starter for now even if Nick Ferrara (groin injury) returns soon.