The West Virginia is often considered Maryland’s biggest rival due to their proximity and the fact they consistently play each other (over 50 times since their first meeting in 1919). They also compete for recruits from the same region, making this game a little more heated than others.
The rivalry between Maryland and the Naval Academy, otherwise known as the Crab Bowl Classic, is one of the best games to see during the season. The rivalry reached a boiling point in 1964 when Terrapins player Jerry Fishman stepped away from fallen Navy quarterback Roger Staubach and made an obscene gesture towards the Academy’s recruits and fans. The rivalry had already been peppered with ejections, stolen mascots, rough play, and vandalized statues and buildings so with Fisherman’s gesture; the rivalry came to a screeching halt for the next forty years; the two teams did not meet each other again until 2005. Now the teams compete for the Crab Bowl Trophy and are one of the most exciting games of the year for both teams.
The Maryland-Penn State rivalry was very recently revived when the Terrapins entered the Big Ten. Between 1917 and 1993, Penn State beat the Terrapins 35 out of 38 times, making it one of the most lopsided rivalries in all of college football. When the teams met each other during the 2014 season, Maryland beat Penn State 20-19, reigniting the spark between these two schools
Terrapins Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
When tailgating at Maryland, make sure to bring some solo cups and a few ping pong balls because beer pong is a very common occurrence in the parking lots before the game. The Terps are the pride of Maryland; people from all over the state came out to watch the Terps. The atmosphere is competitive but playful at Maryland; the drinking games create the competitiveness, but the common love of the Terps makes for a friendly atmosphere. You’ll love the fun, friendly, and competitive atmosphere you’ll find at a Terps’ tailgate, which has a ton drinking games for you to partake in.
One of the best Maryland pre-game traditions is the legend that rubbing the Testudo statue on its nose will bring good luck. Students do this on game days to give the Terps some extra luck before big games. Students have been known to leave Testudo offerings such as beer or poems. Students even leave gifts, which depending on how desperate for a win they are may even include large ticket items such as TVs. Stop by the Testudo statue to complete your Maryland game day experience and to give the Terps some extra luck before they take the field.
Join Maryland mascot Testudo, the Spirit Squad, and the Marching Band as they line up along Terp Alley on Saturdays as the team walks down to Byrd Stadium two and a half hours before kickoff.
There are lots of superstition surrounding the Testudo statue. Legend has it if you rub the statue on its nose, it's supposed to bring you good luck. Students do this on game days to give the Terps some extra luck before big games. Students have been known to leave Testudo offerings such as beer or poems. Students even leave larger gifts, which depending on how desperate for a win they are may even include large ticket items such as TVs.
If you get into town early for the game be sure to check out the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame. Here you’ll find a great selection of Maryland memorabilia and mementos of former Maryland greats.
The official tailgate takes place in Terp Town, just south of Byrd Stadium. The tailgate is open to all guests and features food, a beer garden, live entertainment, appearances by the Maryland Cheerleaders, Dance Team, and the Marching Band, and activities for kids including face painting and inflatable games. Terp Town opens three hours before kick-off and concludes 30 minutes before game time.
Where to tailgate
Terp TownThe official tailgate takes place in Terp Town, just south of Byrd Stadium. The tailgate is open to all guests and features food, a beer garden, live entertainment, appearances by the Maryland Cheerleaders, Dance Team, and the Marching Band, and activities for kids including face painting and inflatable games. Terp Town opens three hours before kick-off and concludes 30 minutes before game time.
Cash LotsThese lots are where a majority of students and fans tailgate. These lots can get pretty rowdy as Maryland students love their drinking games, especially for night games.
Terrapins Stadium Guide
In Game
Maryland is one of the newest teams in the Big 10 conference and has carried their timeless traditions with them to their new conference. Since SECU Stadium’s opening in the 1950’s, it has undergone several renovations – namely three major projects in the 90’s – that has resulted in the stadium’s current form.
The two video boards, one old and one new, helps to symbolize the coming together of the past and present inside SECU Stadium. Sand-molded brick is used all throughout the stadium, which matches the brick used for most of Maryland’s buildings. The matching brick keeps the traditional feel of the University of Maryland. You’ll love the architecture and layout of SECU Stadium, which helps provide an in-game experience that is unique to Maryland.
The fans inside Byrd Stadium have had a lot to cheer for as the school holds the third-most ACC championships with nine, behind Clemson and Florida State. It is also an exciting time to be a Terrapins fan, as their time in the Big 10 conference is only just beginning. You’ll have a great time cheering on the Terps with fellow fans while they make a name for themselves in the Big Ten.
This 90-foot-high, five tier building was built in the 90’s and accommodates for 300 exterior luxury suites, a hospitality suite with theater style seating, television and radio booths, and a photo deck.
At every home game, a small cannon is fired after a Maryland score, prompting the mascot Testudo to hit the deck and do push-ups. Listen for the cannon for your chance to cheer on Testudo as he does his push-ups.
To keep the noise down during offensive plays, Maryland fans will jingle their keys to show support yet still allow the team to hear the signals from the backfield.
The Mighty Sound of Maryland is the official marching band of the University of Maryland. The team puts on a great show that any college football and marching band enthusiasts would enjoy. Some of their most famous songs to perform are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Theme Song and the University’s Victory song.
Hail, Alma Mater, Hail to thee, Maryland! Steadfast in loyalty, For thee we stand. Love for the Black and Gold, Deep in our hearts we hold. Singing thy praise forever, Throughout the land.
Maryland Victory Song
Maryland we’re all behind you, Raise high the black and gold. For there is nothing half so glorious, As to see our team victorious. We’ve got the team boys, We’ve got the steam boys, So keep on fighting, don’t give in!
M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D (yell) Maryland will win!
Fight Song
Fight, fight, fight for Maryland, Honor now her name again, Push up the score, keep on fighting for more, For Maryland, GO TERPS! And we will fight, fight, fight for terrapins, Keep on fighting ’till we win. So sing out our song as we go marching along, To victory!!!
Move Those Chains
When the Terps make a first down, fans will start with a very loud “Ohhhhhhhhhhh!” followed by three chants of “Move those chains!” while making the first down signal.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh!
Move those chains!
Move those chains!
Move those chains!
Watch video
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