Filed under: Football
University of Maryland will represent the ACC in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman against the Conference USA representative East Carolina University tomorrow at 2:30pm EST.
In an emotional season culmination, proceeds from the bowl will benefit the USO (United Service Organizations, Inc.) to support the families of troops and Ralph Friedgen, University of Maryland's legendary head coach (pictured above left), will be playing his last game tomorrow at RFK Stadium which will air on ESPN.
"I have had 23 years of blood, sweat, and tears on the field. Today could be the last time I am on that field (College Park) ever and I hope we have a good practice," Friedgen said yesterday during a press conference to promote the game. "Working with the players has been very special. You know, it is kind of like you are dying. It is a slow death. Everything you experience is for the last time. It has been a very stressful week especially from an emotional standpoint. I am looking forward to one more time with these players."
While acknowledging the sentimental aspect of tomorrow's game, East Carolina is prepared to come in to fight back: "Coach Friedgen has been a great football coach. Our team just needs to stay focused on the task at hand. We know we are going to face an emotional team," said Ruffin McNeill, head coach for East Carolina (pictured above right).
The Terrapins finished the season one game shy of the ACC Championship game with an 8-4 record (5-3 ACC).
"This has been emotional for us," said Torry Smith, University of Maryland wide receiver. "We want to go out and support coach. We know this is his last chance. We want to have the best experience individually, but we want to come together and support him.
East Carolina (6-6, 5-3 C-USA) has been transformed by head coach McNeill into one of the nation's top offensive teams, averaging 38.2 points per game.
Even the troops are choosing sides. Frank Thorp, senior vice president of marketing and communications at USO, says troops have been sending them letters rooting for one team or another.
"I am not going to say who they are supporting," said Thorp. "But I will say that they are excited."
And so are we.