MM 9.18: Ralph Friedgen to return to College Park

Ralph Friedgen will make the return to his old stomping grounds at the Terps’ game against Penn State on Sept. 27, head coach Mike Locksley announced at his press conference Tuesday.

Friedgen will serve as honorary captain and be recognized on the field following the first half of the contest.

“I can’t tell you the impact that Ralph has had on the Maryland football community as well as college football,” Locksley said. “He’s a guy that I have the utmost respect for, that I’ve always looked up to as a guy that loves and has passion for this place like I do. We’re going to bring him back and honor him the right way.”

The former Maryland football head coach (2001-10), known as “The Fridge,” is regarded as one of the best coaches in program history. In 2001, Friedgen was named the consensus National Coach of the Year after leading the Terps to their first ACC title in 16 years — the first coach in conference history to do so in their first season. Maryland won its first seven games that year and earned a bid to the Orange Bowl.

Friedgen, who first played for Maryland from 1966-69, finished his coaching tenure with the third-most wins in program history and a school-record five bowl game victories (seven appearances), which is fifth-best in ACC history. He had 27 players drafted to the NFL, including E.J. Henderson, Shawne Merriman, Vernon Davis and Torrey Smith.

Locksley worked under Friedgen for two years (2001-02) as a running backs coach and recruiting coordinator. The pair will reunite under the Friday night lights.

In other news

Maryland football’s most experience offensive lineman will be out for the majority of the season. Right guard Terrance Davis suffered a MCL sprain against Temple and will be out four to six weeks.

Locksley gave another injury update Tuesday: (*Locksley)

Jordan gives an update on everything your favorite Terps did in the NFL in Week 2. For the second straight week, Packers safety Darnell Savage had an impressive performance.

Also in Pro Terps news, it looks like running back Ty Johnson will play a bigger role in Detroit.

Maryland basketball sophomore Jalen Smith sat down for an interview with Andy Katz this week.

Both Maryland men’s and women's soccer players were named Big Ten Defenders of the Week on Tuesday.

The Washington Mystics, with three former Terps on their roster (four if counting Natasha Cloud), took a 97-95 victory over the Las Vegas Aces in the first game on the WNBA Semifinals Tuesday night.

Check out this Premier Lacrosse League video of dinner at former Terp Matt Rambo’s childhood home. Oh, and we’ve got some exclusive content with the 2017 Tewaraaton Award winner dropping tomorrow.