Football team, fans should try something new and wear black for Thursday night game against Virginia Tech
When I walk through the Stamp Student, I look in the bookstore window and see the black #18 Vernon Davis jersey. I want to buy it badly. That jersey is so sweet, but I can’t justify buying a jersey that, if I wore to games, would make me the one black dot in a sea of red.
With the football team struggling at home, it is time for change in the way our fans go about things. We need new ideas for fan unity. One idea that stands out is having the football team wear these black uniforms when we play Virginia Tech.
On Thursday, Oct. 20, Maryland football will play on the greatest stage in college football. This is the perfect place for something creative and truly special that will display to millions that Maryland fans are past the days of “F— You, J.J.” chants and other thoughtless cheers. Thursday night, Oct. 20, days before Halloween, would be the ideal chance to make Byrd a “scarier” and intimidating place to play. On big stages, the Eagles and Ravens often wear their third- color black jerseys. Imagine how intimidating D’Qwell Jackson would look in all black under the lights. It reminds me of the Under Armour linebacker who rallies the team around him and then makes punishing hits.
The fans could similarly get involved in Byrd’s Blackout by wearing black. We could create special shirts for the event. I am sure we could find a corporate sponsor who would pay for shirts, knowing that they are advertising on such a national platform. We could even auction off the special black game jerseys to donate to relief efforts for hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It is time for us to change things up, try something new, and Byrd’s Blackout could really be something special.
Stephen Roth
Sophomore
Business
A plea for fans to ‘believe’ in Terp football
Believe. Believe the Terp football team is only one game out of first in the Atlantic Division.
Believe Keon Lattimore emerged Saturday with 15 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown. Believe our defense held the best rushing offense in the ACC to only 106 yards.
Despite all of this, the naysayers are still around the campus. Yes, the Terps are 2-2 with two tough losses. Some have even said the Terps are one miracle play from being 1-3. What no one has realized, though, is that we are also a couple personal fouls from being 4-0. Stunning, isn’t it?
The Terps are back to 1-1 in the conference and need our help at homecoming this Saturday. We need this win. It’s homecoming and we have advantage over rival Virginia with a chance to get back to the top of our division this weekend. Students should be in the stands when gates open up at 10:30 a.m. making noise while Virginia warms up on our end. Students should be just as loud on second and seven as they are on third or fourth and 2.
Don’t wait until Virginia gets to the line to be loud. Scream while they are in the huddle. Do not let them communicate.
This Saturday is all about believing in Coach Ralph Friedgen and our team. Instead of doubts, students should be excited for this big game. Winning this will send us to 3-2 (2-1 ACC) and very likely 4-2 after Temple. Sure, things get tough with Florida State and Virginia Tech, but didn’t we beat No. 5 Florida State last year? And isn’t Virginia Tech coming into a rowdy student section on a Thursday night?
Believe we can win an ACC Championship. Believe this team is for real. Believe the great Coach Friedgen will fix the team’s mental mistakes. Believe we can be the loudest student section in football. Believe we’ll beat Virginia. But above all, just believe.
Chris Schoenbauer
Junior
Kinesiology
