On Oct. 20, Byrd Stadium was packed with a loud, black-garbed crowd, ready for a Thursday night showdown between the Terrapins and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

That night, the stadium held 54,838 people, more than 3,000 more than the stadium capacity of 51,500. Temporary bleachers were set up in order to give everyone a seat. The game was a statement of fan support for a team everyone felt could be bowl-bound.

However, last season ended the same as the season before, with a 5-6 record and no postseason play. Coach Ralph Friedgen, who many claimed had resurrected Terp football, had come up sputtering during the past two years, and some questioned his recruiting abilities.

Still, despite the relative lack of success during that time, the Terps continue to draw the masses to their games. Season ticket sales have continued to steadily rise since Friedgen’s first year, and the team has already sold about 30,000 season ticket packages.

“We’re on just about the same pace as last year,” said Associate Athletics Director Brian Ullman. “Last year was a record-breaking year.”

Ullman noted the improvement of the ACC through expansion as part of the reason behind the improved sales. He said having home games against Virginia Tech and Boston College last season and Miami this season help bolster the already strong ACC schedule, attracting more fans.

“We have a huge selection of our fan base that love big-time college football,” said Ullman.

However, much of the credit for the increased sales goes to Friedgen and the work he has done to improve the team. Season ticket sales have gone from just more than 15,000 in 2001, Friedgen’s first year, to about 30,000 this season. The improvements have been contributed to the Terps becoming competitive again.

“Fans just enjoy watching Ralph coach and watching his teams play hard,” said Ullman, who gave almost all the credit for the boom in sales to Friedgen.

The team’s sales are still not on the level of the men’s basketball team, which, for the past several years, has sold out games just through season ticket holders and students. However, the football program is coming close to that level. Currently, they figure to be about three to four thousand ticket packages away from selling out every game based on season tickets alone.

This season, the Terps will play seven home games. Among the enhanced home schedule is a homecoming game against N.C. State and games against Florida State and Miami, perennial college football powerhouses.

The extra games have meant an increase in the ticket prices, and though some of the packages have increased rather dramatically, Ullman insists it is only a result of the extra games. He also said he believes the increased price has not turned many people away.

“We’ve had an almost 90 percent renewal rate this year, which is great,” said Ullman.

The Terps’ success during the past five seasons has, in many ways, fueled this boost in ticket sales. But if they go another year without a bowl game, the sales may experience a decline in the coming years. A strong year, however, could lead to another boom that gives the Terps what they need to sell out based on season tickets alone.

Either way, for the 2006 season, expect another year with a packed stadium.

Contact reporter Adi Joseph at sports@dbk.umd.edu.