This time ACC stalwart Maryland comes to Illinois.
What kind of team does NIU have? It may be easier for NIU to run w/o EJ Henderson waiting to knock out teeth.
Isn't UMD's defensive coordinator from Bowling Green (as suggested to Friedgen by ex GT coach George O'Leary)?
We have a good many UMD fans -- so feel free to interact w/ them on ACCbbs.
I've been over the the MD EZboard a couple times already - they mostly seem to be respectful and at least somewhat concerned about the trip, but there are a few with the attitude that if they're really so hot they shouldn't have any trouble with NIU. It's always funny to see how two good years of a sports turns people into world-beaters, but they should be very good and beating them would be HUGE for NIU. We should be able to hang with them, at least - our O began to click in the last 2/3 of 2002, and we have a good deal of it back, though our OL will be younger.
Thursday before Labor Day - should be a big showcase, and if we win, it's NIU's biggest win and one of the biggest MAC wins of all time. :eek:
NIU will be very tough this year, but I don't know much about what Maryland has coming back so it is hard for me to say. I will be pulling for the Huskies though!
Maryland's D coordinator is from Bowling Green. His name is Gary Blackney.
NIU D will be good again - even without one of my favorite MAC players - Vince Thompson. Turner should have a good game - he`s one hell of a back....and lets hope this years OOC games are different from last years - cough*officials*cough