Football set to face improved Terrapins

Adversity always brings a team together. Two years ago, the Auburn Tigers were on probation and finished the season undefeated.

This year, it's the Maryland Terrapins who exemplify that rule. Before the season began, Maryland found out it would be without starting quarterback Scott Milanovich for the first four games due to a gambling suspension.

Instead of hanging their heads and giving up, the Terrapins have been the surprise of the football world, working their way into the national ranking at No. 24, the first time the team has been ranked since 1986. Not coincidently, that was the last time Maryland began the season 3-0.

Duke head coach Fred Goldsmith knows the team he will be facing on Saturday at 7 p.m. will be extremely motivated. Not only do the Terrapins want to prove that their early-season success isn't a fluke, but they probably wouldn't mind seeking revenge on last season's 49-16 loss in Goldsmith's first game at Duke.

"Their success is not an overnight thing," Goldsmith said. "If you really look back to the latter part of last year, Maryland's success right now is something that began to evolve then. They're doing very well."

Much of that improvement has been due to Maryland's defense. The Terrapins have forced their opponents to turn over the ball 15 times this year, while committing only four turnovers themselves. That ratio is a big reason why Maryland has yielded only 45 points in its first three games, as compared to the 114 points it had surrendered at the same time last year.

"I think our defense showed improvement from 1993 to 1994," Maryland head coach Mark Duffner said. "We're a long way from being the kind of defense we want here, but we've certainly been able to show some improvement. The team is working hard to see that continues."

Leading the Terp defense is cornerback Andreal Johnson. The junior had two interceptions and a forced fumble against North Carolina, an effort that earned him Sports Illustrated's national defensive player of the week honors. This season, Johnson has already doubled his total number of interceptions over the past two years.

Pessimists have pointed out that Duke has yet to manhandle opponents like it did during the early part of last season. Goldsmith admits the schedule was a tad easier at this juncture in the 1994 season, but points to Duke's injuries as a big reason for the difference.

"Last year, we were pretty much injury-free," Goldsmith said. "This year, we've been touched by the injury bug. Better this year than last year, because last year, we didn't have the depth to cope with it. We've had some players come of the bench [this year] that we can count on pretty well."

Among those injured was sophomore linebacker LeVance McQueen. He will suit up for the first time this season on Saturday, giving the Blue Devils more depth on defense.

Saturday's game is a turning point for both teams. For the Terrapins, it's their first chance to defend their national ranking and prove their fast start isn't a fluke. For Duke, it's the chance to prove 1994 success wasn't just a one-year wonder.

The good news for the Blue Devils is that the game should be a nail-biter that goes down to the wire. And with its past two games as proof, Duke is more than prepared with close-game situations.