College Sports

College football preview: Notre Dame at Maryland

Posted November 10, 2011 11:00 pm

By Mike McGraw

mmcgraw@dailyherald.com

Notre Dame (6-3) at Maryland (2-7)

When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at FedEx Field

TV: NBC

Radio: WLS 890-AM

Series: Notre Dame leads 1-0, winning 22-0 in 2002.

Coaches: Randy Edsall (2-7, first year at Maryland); Brian Kelly (14-8, second year at ND).

Players to watch: Maryland has been splitting quarterback duties between a pair of sophomores — throwing specialist Danny O’Brien and run-oriented C.J. Brown. RB Davin Meggett (75.2 yards per game) is the son of former New York Giants KR Dave Meggett. DL Joe Vellano leads the nation in tackles by a defensive lineman with 8 per game. … Irish junior Tyler Eifert leads all FBS tight ends in receptions with 43.

The skinny: Maryland’s best win of the season, in the opener against Miami, came while wearing those hideous multi-pattern helmets designed to resemble the state flag. Naturally, that look will return for this game. Not to be outdone, Notre Dame will don green jerseys and paste giant shamrocks on their gold helmets. Maryland has struggled since beating Miami and the Terrapins blame their leaky defense (447 yards per game) on injuries to seven potential starters.

Fast fact: Brian Kelly hasn’t lost a game in November since 2007, when his Cincinnati squad lost to West Virginia.

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