RECAPS 2005

Sept. 3, 2005: Maryland 23, Navy 20
M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Md.

Team A-Game ushered in its 10th anniversary season with the Maryland-Navy gameday at Lot Camden in Baltimore.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/Navy gameday.

Sunny skies greeted Team A-Game's 8:45 arrival in Lot Camden to kick off its 10th anniversary season. Normally the home of the Team's Ravens tailgates, today Lot Camden played host to the first Maryland-Navy gameday in 40 years. Paul, Kenna and Yancy arrived to hoist the Maryland and A-Game flags 25 feet in the air to officially welcome the 2005 tailgating season. Dave, Doug, Andrea and Orlando soon followed, as did Noli and crew and Friedgen's Legions. Noli revealed he had torn an ACL in the offseason, but that did not affect his drinking ability as Drinking Jenga once again took place under the tent. The Legions, proving their wisdom before the G.M. started flowing, attempted to raise a Maryland flag despite the electric lines overhead. Fortunately there were no electrocutions to report. Mike Norris proved he was not yet in midseason form as he did not drop a drink or a Brenda. The menu included the now-high-standard items, plus some cranberry punch from Andrea and beef tenderloin provided by Chad. Walt once again provided the generator for the viewing of the early-afternoon games in preparation for the 6 p.m. kickoff. Inside the stadium, a near-sellout crowd of 67,809 rocked as the teams battled for state bragging rights. The fourth quarter was classic, and hopefully the 23-20 game and great atmosphere will convince officals at both schools to schedule a game regularly. A modest post-tailgate concluded at 11 p.m. for a solid 14-hour gameday to start the season.
Record: 52-31

Sept. 10, 2005: Clemson 28, Maryland 24
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Testudo with Team A-Game at Terp Alley prior to the ACC opener vs. Clemson.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/Clemson gameday.

The home opener against ACC rival Clemson began with Team A-Game's 5:40 a.m. arrival into Lot 1. Of course, there could not be a game at the University of Maryland without some sort of drama with the Parking Nazis (aka Fun Police). Once that was settled, the tailgate proceeded as per the norm with multiple helpings of multiple food and drinks. Kristine's margaritas helped spice things up, as did wings brought by Kenna and Yancy. Excellent participation at Terp Alley preceded the viewing of College Gameday in A-Game Theater. Inside the stadium, a surprisingly raucous noon-time crowd of 50,637 cheered the Terps to a 24-14 fourth-quarter lead. But the Kittens from Clemson rallied late, with the help of their Zebra friends, for a 28-24 victory. The day's highlight came in the form of the post-game tailgate, which began at approximately 3:30 p.m. and lasted until 9 p.m. Team A-Game took in a number of quality games courtesy of the DirecTV satellite, and was nearly last in leaving Lot 1 after being nearly first in the morning. The 5.5 hour post-party set a Team record for length of the post-game tailgate, and it contributed to a 15-plus-hour gameday (research reveals Team A-Game's all-time gameday record is 18 hours, vs. Temple on Sept. 11, 2004). Part II of the 2005 Revenge Tour is Saturday against W-V-Who. Hopefully the Terps can finish the deal this week. Go Terps!!!
Record: 52-32

Sept. 17, 2005: West Virginia 31, Maryland 19
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Another solid showing for Team A-Game vs. the Eers.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/WVU gameday.

With a 5:45 a.m. arrival and an 8:15 p.m. departure, Team A-Game once again made the most of a Terrapin gameday. The flags were raised high over Lot 1d and Brats were on the grill by 6:45. Mike Norris turned into Omelet Man, and to the surprise of those he fed, not one omelet landed on the ground. Credit the now 6-year-old Coleman for stepping up to provide the cooking surface. Mike and Paul then visited the Friedgen's Legions, who were once again hospitable and provided a shot of the glorious G.M. It must've been too much for Paul, who was b-gaming the satellite setup until Orlando saved the day with the assist. Orlando is making a strong push for the A-Game's Rookie of the Year award despite being a spot-starter. Unofficially, he's a recruit to watch this season. Kristine rallied from a hangover, and Yancy and Doug engaged in the now obligatory brawl. It was a tough loss to the rival Eers, who won at Byrd for the first time since 1997. Unconfirmed reports have several sheep being injured in Morgantown as WVU students celebrated the victory. After the game, the Team rallied for another quality post-tailgate, satisfying our stomachs and livers while watching Miami edge Clemson in a three-overtime classic.
Record: 52-33

Oct. 1, 2005: Maryland 45, Virginia 33
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Team A-Game and the Terps poo-poo'd on the Boo Hoos from Virginia.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/UVA gameday.

Record: 53-33

Oct. 8, 2005: Maryland 38, Temple 7
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.

A lot of rain and wind did not stop another successful joint road-game tailgate between Team A Game and the Friedgen's Legions.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/Temple gameday.

Road tailgates are really the best, especially when Mother Nature gets involved. Last year, Team A-Game had its own “Storm Stories” in Cumberland, Md., battling floods and the leftovers of Hurricane Ivan on the way to West Virginia. This year, the sequel happened Saturday, when under the cover of darkness, fog, wind and rain, Team A-Game departed Baltimore at 5:30 a.m. for Philadelphia. Following the 7:30 arrival at Lot K, the storms continued as the Friedgen's Legions arrived for another outstAnding joint tailgate on the road. The weather made the experience all the better, as we battled the elements to raise the flags over “Lot 1 North” and tie six tents together. Brats are better in bad weather as well. Mike Norris was late, but credit Brenda for posting as many ladies did back out. With shots flowing and the best party in a pretty barren lot, Jess Atkinson and FridgeTV stopped by for an interview. It marked the Team's third interview with Atkinson, dating back to the 2002 Orange Bowl. Mother Nature did score two minor victories by forcing the removal of one tier of the flag pole and by hampering the setup of the DirecTV. No matter, we watched a replay of the Terps' spanking of Virginia the week before. With about 2,500 people inside Lincoln Financial Field (about 1,500 Terrapin supporters; announced attendance was 11,311), we sang and cheered Maryland to a 38-7 pounding of hapless Temple. At 4-2, we like our chances of a bowl trip heading into the second half of the season.
Record: 54-33

Oct. 20, 2005: Virginia Tech 28, Maryland 9
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Brenda brought the A-Game dessert of the day.

Click here for pictures from the Terps/VaTech gameday.

With much anticipation and gratitude to Mother Nature for finally supplying us with good football weather, Team A-Game pulled onto the College Park campus at 1 p.m. with cloudy skies and temps in the upper 50s. Glorious weather for the showdown with the No. 3 Hokie Turkeys from Virginia Tech. With the students still occupying much of Lot 1d, Paul, Kristine, Doug, Andrea and Orlando simply carried the gear to the tailgate location and promptly set up shop. The Brats had a little extra juice in them, as did many of the fans who eagerly awaited a shot at the frontrunners from Blacksburg. It may have been Tailgate Step-Up Day, as Kristine brought mellon shooters and crab cakes, Andrea her punch, Christina some wings and Brenda the ultimate dessert. Someone also brought a pumpkin, and Orlando continued his season-long push for 2005 Tailgate MVP honors by carving the Terps script into the pumpkin. As custom dictates, the Team visited Noli, Richard and the Friedgen's Legions for several shots and a few games of Drinking Jenga. After a solid Terp Alley, the girls beat the guys in a rowdy round of Flip Cup. With much spirit and enthusiasm, Terrapin fans and the Terps fought hard against Virginia Tech all night. We had some chances, but eventually the Turkeys pulled away for a 28-9 victory. Credit the students for a successful Byrd Blackout, which contributed to a great home environment with 54,838 fans in attendance; the second-largest crowd in the 54-year history of Byrd Stadium.
Record: 54-34

Nov. 12 , 2005: Salisbury 30, Frostburg State 24 (Regents Cup VII)
Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson, Md.

Sam, Ralph and crew carried the A-Game banner after their annual Beltway Bowl. Click here for a recap of the Sea Gulls' win.
Record: 55-34

Nov. 19, 2005: Boston College 31, Maryland 16
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Senior Day proved to be a downer with a loss to Boston College.

Click here for Terps/Boston College pictures taken by Brooke.
Click here for pictures of the Terps/BC gameday.

Record: 55-35

Nov. 26 , 2005: N.C. State 20, Maryland 14
Byrd Stadium, College Park, Md.

Click here for pictures of the Terps/N.C. State gameday.
Click here for pictures from inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

Record: 55-36