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Back with the Squad: Reuniting the 2002 Maryland football team

We bring together 18 players and then-running backs coach Mike Locksley to give insight to this special, Peach Bowl Championship season.

By Lila Bromberg
Getty Images

Welcome to Back with the Squad, a series where we reunite past Maryland teams over video chat.

On the fourth episode, Lila Bromberg reunites the 2002 football team, which remains one of the best teams in school history. This group of Terps won the Peach Bowl against Tennessee to give the program its first 11-win season since 1976, as well as the first bowl game victory since 1985. Maryland ended the year ranked No. 13 in the AP Poll.

Get an inside perspective on the season from current head coach Mike Locksley (who then served as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator), Scott McBrien (QB) Domonique Foxworth (DB), D’Qwell Jackson (LB), Curome Cox (DB), Madieu Williams (DB), Steve Suter (WR), Shawne Merriman (LB), Randy Starks (DT), Gerrick McPhearson (DB), Scooter Monroe (WR), Nick Novak (K), Bruce Perry (RB), Todd Wike (OL), Lamar Bryant (OL), Stephon Heyer (OL), Dennard Wilson (DB), Jafar Williams (WR) and Rich Parson (WR).

On this episode:

  • What was it like for this group of Terps to be a part of turning the program into an ACC powerhouse under head coach Ralph Friedgen?
  • How did the team bounce back after losing two of the first three games of the season?
  • What did it take for Locksley to get McBrien on Maryland’s roster?
  • The guys share a funny story about why one player was late to the Peach Bowl.
  • How was Maryland able to overcome a 14-point halftime deficit to take down No. 14 NC State?
  • What was the Peach Bowl experience like?
  • How did the team celebrate the Peach Bowl victory?
  • Just how much of a force was EJ Henderson?
  • This team had eight First Team All-ACC selections, as well as well over a dozen players who went on to play in the NFL. What was it like competing with and practicing against that level of talent day in and day out?
  • How did Locksley’s early days as an assistant coach at Maryland influence his coaching style today?
  • The guys give insight on Locksley and why he has what it takes to turn the program around.

*** Correction: Bruce Perry’s graphic says that his NFL career started in 2005, but it should be 2004.

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