Football Preview

Tech defensive pressure vs. Maryland offensive line

After last weekend, Tech again checks in at the top of the national ranks in defense. Tech is ranked sixth in the nation in rushing defense after limiting the Clemson running back tandem, James Davis and C. J. Spiller, to just 62 yards on 21 attempts. The Jackets are allowing just 14.4 points per game. Tech has been able to get through offensive lines and pressure quarterbacks. Tech ranks third in the nation in sacks with 21; the Jackets sacked Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper six times.

Maryland's offensive line has played well against its opponents in its first five games. Maryland's 176.8 rushing yards per game rank second in the conference behind Tech. Tailback Keon Lattimore ranks second in the ACC and 28th nationally with 106.6 rushing yards per game. The Terps' offensive line features three new starters from last season, but highlights Andrew Crummey. Crummey is a preseason All-American and candidate for the Lombardi and Outland awards.

Kicking team vs. Return team

Last week, Tech receiver D.J. Donley blocked a punt that led to a touchdown. Travis Bell, the Tech field goal kicker, has seemingly returned to the form he showed his Freshman year. That year, he connected on 15 field goals. Bell has hit 12 of 13 with his only miss being a blocked kick at Notre Dame. Bell ranks second in the nation with a 2.40 field goal per game average and leads the ACC in scoring at 10.40 points per game.

Maryland's best special teams statistic is their eighth place ranking in kickoff return defense. They are mediocre at best in their other categories and that is an area the Jackets' special teams can exploit. Junior kicker Obi Egekeze is just five of nine in field goal attempts but has two misses from outside of 50 yards. Da'Rel Scott goes up against Tech's top ranked kickoff defense with a 21.3 average.

Friedgen vs. Jackets

Maryland Head Coach Ralph Friedgen was at Tech twice before going to Maryland. He first came to Tech in 1987-91 as Bobby Ross's offensive coordinator. After a stint in the NFL, he returned to Tech in 1997 and coached the offense for the Jackets, turning QB Joe Hamilton into a Heisman candidate. After then Head Coach George O'Leary left Tech, Friedgen returned to his alma matter, Maryland. He has won an ACC title and has finished the season with a top-10 ranking. He went on to three straight 10 winb seasons, the first ACC coach to do that in their first three seasons.

Friedgen has struggled against his old school, going 1-3 the past four seasons, including allowing a fourth quarter come-back last season. Friedgen's first game against the Jackets since becoming the head coach at Maryland saw him defeat the Jackets by a field goal in overtime. The following season, the Terps orchestrated a 34-10 blowout of Tech in College Park. In 2003, the Jackets exacted their revenge on their former coordinator in a 7-3 win at home. Tech won in 2004, 20-7, in College Park and is working on a three game win streak in the series.

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