Story By: Andrew Lang
Photos By: Ben Belford-Peltzman Special to Pointed Magazine
College Park, MD–
There is something about August 1st when it comes to college football… it’s a new day and renewed optimism that what was last year is last year and what is too come is better and better than before. This is exactly what Terps Head Coach Mike Locksley is ready to put out come August 31st against UCONN.
The Terps had a special guest in the house in the form of Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who not only stepped back a few years to his days as a wide receiver for John Hopkins, but took the time to interact with this group of new players and helped them understand what’s behind the legacy that putting on a Terps uniform.
“You’re our flagship, every single snap you represent us,” he said. “Every single snap, every single play, you make us proud. Every single game you get out there, you need to know that you have 6.5 million people who want nothing but a win. You all are the ones who can deliver for them.”
“You have an entire state that has your back because every single day you have ours,” Moore said. “Go out and show them what it means to be a Terp. Go out there and show them what it means to be Maryland. Go out there and shock the whole world. You have a state that’s riding for you and that’s ready to see you guys win. I appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. I’m honored to be your governor, but most importantly I’m honored to be a fan, Go Terps.”
Prior to the opening of practice today, the big question the remained was who Locksley is going to put in place at quarterback to replace Taulia Tagovailoa? Locksley remained committed to giving the best guy who is going to help us win the shot to start.
Billy Edwards remains the front runner, but Locksley said he may not reveal who is going to take the helm before the opener.
“I can’t say enough about how hard all those guys have worked throughout this summer,” Locksley said. “We’ll let the battle play out through camp. I can tell you the guy that will play for us will be the guy that gives us the best chance to win. It’s not a popularity deal. If it takes two, it takes two. If we’ve got one, we’ll figure it out, but I feel good about the guys in the room and how they’ve prepared to compete.”
