In a crucial ACC matchup, the Cavaliers will travel to College Park to take on the Maryland Terrapins in a nationally televised game tonight. Kickoff is set for 7:45 at Byrd Stadium and the game will be shown on ESPN. This game marks the final road contest of the regular season for Virginia, while it ends the Terrapins' home game stretch. Both Virginia and Maryland are coming off a bye week and each team will be looking to use this game to solidify their standings in the ACC.
Last year, Virginia overwhelmed Maryland in Charlottesville with a 48-13 victory. The home field advantage goes to the Terrapins this year, and Maryland hopes that the location will help them finish off their home stretch with a win. Maryland is counting on the atmosphere in the stadium to work against the Cavaliers.
"It's become a tougher place to play, much like Virginia was a tough place last year," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said.
Maryland also hopes to capitalize on the added excitement of a nationally televised game. The Cavaliers, however, know that these extraneous circumstances don't make or break a game.
"It's like Monday night football," Virginia Coach Al Groh said. "I know that the players get excited, but once that reality is recognized, I think teams and coaches have to keep in mind that none of those events change the game. It's who plays the best inside the lines."
Last game, Virginia fell short of a victory at N.C. State, 51-37. Senior quarterback Matt Schaub went 41-of-55 passes for 393 yards and threw for four touchdowns, but the Cavaliers still left North Carolina disappointed with a loss. Sophomore Wali Lundy accounted for three of Virginia's touchdowns, and senior Ryan Sawyer caught the other Schaub touchdown pass. The game clearly lacked defensive action and both Schaub and his counterpart, N.C. State's Phillip Rivers, were able to work freely. With the score tied going into the fourth quarter, N.C. State pulled out the win and the Cavaliers dropped to 3-3 in ACC play.
Maryland is coming off a big win against North Carolina, 59-21 in College Park. The Terrapins have won six of their last seven games, and improved their overall record to 6-3. They are currently third in the ACC, with a record of 3-2. Last game, senior quarterback Scott McBrien threw four touchdown passes and ran in another two touchdowns, in his first game back after suffering a concussion in the first half of the Georgia Tech game. Maryland will count on another consistent performance by McBrien to secure a win against the Cavaliers. The Terrapins will also rely on their special teams, specifically their punt team lead by junior Nick Novak.
"They have a tremendous punt team," Groh said. "The have a very, very good kicker and they have really terrific coverage. It's been a tremendous field position creator for Maryland in most games."
A Maryland victory would secure them the No. 2 spot in the ACC. Virginia would also like to record an important ACC win in an away game.
"In terms of road games against upper-echelon teams in the ACC, this is our last chance this year," Schaub said.
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