Football Writers Association of America Sept. 4, 2018
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Gangi
214-909-9314
Terps upset Texas in emotional season-opener
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MARYLAND IS REVEAL SUITS
NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) – After an emotional offseason, the Maryland Terrapins rallied through a fourth quarter deficit and a long weather delay by scoring the game’s final 10 points to upset Texas, 34-29, in Landover, Md. The win gave interim head coach Matt Canada his first victory as the Terps earned the Reveal Suits National Team of the Week honor for the extended opening weekend of the 2018 season.

This is the first time for Maryland (1-0) to win the honor in the award’s 17-year history. The announcement came on "Off Campus with Mark Packer" on ESPNU Radio on SiriusXM. Each Monday during the season, the Reveal Suits National Team of the Week will be unveiled during the program, which airs weekdays from 4-7 p.m. ET. The FWAA's All-America Committee selects the weekly winner and all Division I FBS and FCS schools are eligible to be selected.

Freshman wide receiver Jeshaun Jones ran for a score, threw another and caught a 65-yard touchdown pass – all in the first half of his first career game. No player in the last 20 years has accomplished that feat in his debut. After squandering a 24-7 lead, Maryland forced three turnovers in the final six minutes to secure the win. Quarterback Kasim Hill was 17-for-29 for 222 yards and led a go-ahead 79-yard scoring drive that put Maryland up 31-29 with 14:25 remaining. A potential thunderstorm then caused an 86-minute delay, and after the stoppage the three turnovers halted any Texas comeback.

Maryland has dedicated its season to offensive lineman Jordan McNair. The Terrapins paid tribute to McNair, who passed away following a summer training session, by lining up with 10 players on their first offensive play. The team waited for a delay of game to be called, a penalty that Texas declined in a show of sportsmanship. Maryland players also wore a No. 79 sticker on their helmets.

"I just can't say enough about our players, everything they've been through and the way they stuck together," Canada said. "It was a great way to honor Jordan. This was a win for Jordan. We're certainly proud of our team, proud of our program."

The other National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Sept. 1 were:

Cincinnati (1-0): Running back Michael Warren II rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns as the Bearcats spoiled the UCLA coaching debut of Chip Kelly with a 26-17 win in the Rose Bowl. Cincinnati’s Cortez Broughton forced a fumble that UCLA recovered in its end zone for a tie-breaking safety with 9:45 left, and Warren’s third touchdown run with 1:44 remaining sealed the game. The Bearcats’ had five sacks and eight tackles-for-loss.

LSU (1-0): The Tigers rolled to a 33-3 lead entering the fourth quarter and won a prime-time matchup between ranked opponents, 33-17 over Miami. Nick Brossette ran for 125 yards on 22 carries and broke the game open early with a 50-yard scoring run. Quarterback Joe Burrow led the Tigers to six scoring drives without a turnover in his first start and Cole Tracy made all four of his field goal attempts and tied a school record with a 54-yarder in his Division I debut.

Virginia Tech (1-0): The Hokies blocked a punt for a touchdown and forced five turnovers as Virginia Tech got up early and stuffed Florida State on the road, 24-3, for a key ACC win. The win snapped a six-game losing streak in Tallahassee dating back to 1974. Tech's special teams made the biggest play of the first half when tight end Chris Cunningham blocked an FSU punt, and Eric Kumah caught the deflection and ran three yards for a touchdown for a 17-3 halftime lead. Tech's defense recorded 14 tackles for a loss, and Trevon Hill had three tackles for a loss and two sacks.

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Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

2018 Reveal Suits National Teams of the Week
Weekend of Sept. 1: Maryland Terrapins
Weekend of Sept. 8: Kentucky Wildcats
Weekend of Sept. 15: BYU Cougars
Weekend of Sept. 22: Old Dominion Monarchs
Weekend of Sept. 29: Ohio State Buckeyes
Weekend of Oct. 6: Texas Longhorns
Weekend of Oct. 13: Iowa State Cyclones
Weekend of Oct. 20: Purdue Boilermakers
Weekend of Oct. 27: Oklahoma State Cowboys
Weekend of Nov. 3: Alabama Crimson Tide
Weekend of Nov. 10: California Golden Bears
Weekend of Nov. 17: UCF Knights
Weekend of Nov. 24: Washington Huskies