A school-record seven home games, including Atlantic Coast Conference matchups with North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia and Duke, highlight Maryland's 2001 football schedule, announced yesterday by the ACC.
The Terrapins also will be host to nonconference games against traditional rival West Virginia, Eastern Michigan and Troy State. All four of Maryland's road games will be against ACC schools: Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Florida State and North Carolina State.
The Sept. 1 game at Byrd Stadium against North Carolina marks the earliest ACC opener in school history and will feature a matchup of first-year head coaches Ralph Friedgen of Maryland and John Bunting.
After the Carolina game, Maryland will play home games against Eastern Michigan and West Virginia before returning to ACC action Sept. 22 at Wake Forest.
Maryland will play its final nonconference game Sept. 29, when Division I-A newcomer Troy State visits College Park.
Franklin staying
Friedgen announced yesterday that he is retaining wide receivers coach James Franklin.
Franklin, 28, who joined the staff for the 2000 season, is the second coach to be retained, following running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Mike Locksley. Previously announced additions to the staff are Charlie Taaffe (offensive coordinator), Gary Blackney (secondary) and Dave Sollazzo (defensive tackles).
Under Franklin's tutelage, the Terrapins got a breakout performance in 2000 from junior Guilian Gary, who had 40 receptions for 568 yards and seven touchdowns. The seven touchdowns tied for fourth most in a season in school history, a feat achieved by current Raven Jermaine Lewis, among others.
Tentative schedule
Date .....Opponent
Sept. 1 North Carolina
Sept. 8 Eastern Michigan
Sept. 15 West Virginia
Sept. 22 at Wake Forest
Sept. 29 Troy State
Oct. 6 Virginia
Oct. 13 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 20 Duke
Oct. 27 at Florida State
Nov. 10 Clemson
Nov. 17 at North Carolina State
