Steeped in tradition, the Military Bowl is as much a celebration of those who sacrifice for our country as it is a celebration of the season accomplishments of the teams on the field. The 2013 Military Bowl (December 27th at 2:30pm) will see a gritty 7-5 Maryland Terrapins team take on the Conference USA East Champion Marshall Thundering Herd (9-4). The game, which is sponsored by Northrop Grumman and benefits the USO, originates from the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Downtown Annapolis and can be viewed nationally on ESPN.
This year’s Military Bowl game marks the beginning of one era, and the end of another. Since its inception, the Military Bowl (formerly the EagleBank Bowl) has been played in the nation’s capital at RFK Stadium; however, the decision was made in early 2013 to move the game to Annapolis- to a venue that epitomizes everything the armed forces are all about. The first Military Bowl played at Navy Stadium will, coincidentally, be the Terrapins’ final game as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference as the team prepares to switch allegiances to the Big 10 in 2014.
The Terps, who are set to play their 5th bowl game in 8 seasons, are no strangers to the Military Bowl. In fact, Maryland’s last post-season appearance was a 51-20 victory over the East Carolina Pirates in the 2010 Military Bowl. The last couple seasons have been a struggle for the Terps squad, however, which has failed to make a bowl game since Randay Edsall took over for longtime coach Ralph Friegden in January 2011.
This year, Maryland’s season started off with high hopes and several early season victories, including impressive wins over Edsall’s former Connecticut team and longtime rival West Virginia. What looked to be a promising 2013 campaign, though, was derailed by a 63-0 drumming at the hands of top-ranked Florida State, as well as by injuries to 10 starters, including star receivers Stefon Diggs and Deon Long, top cornerbacks Dexter McDougle and Jeremiah Johnson, tailback Brandon Ross, multiple linebackers, and starting quarterback CJ Brown. Brown has since fought his way back from injury and all was not lost for the Terps, who banded together to post tough late-season wins over Virginia Tech and North Carolina State to become bowl eligible once again.
Maryland players and coaches are thrilled, and honored, to be participating in the Military Bowl. Playing such a close proximity to College Park should prove advantageous for the Terrapins, who are excited to spend the holidays with their loved ones and be playing in front of family and friends instead of traveling across country for their final contest of the season.
There is also heightened prestige associated with the Military Bowl that other games do not have- a fact not lost on the Terrapin team. “We appreciate everything that our military does for us and to be able to play in a game that’s going to support those members is something that’s very, very special,” said Maryland coach Randy Edsall.
You do not want to miss the tradition and pageantry of the Military Bowl, which kicks off with a pre-game parade for the ages. The parade, which will be headlined by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, begins at City Dock at 11am and will make its way through historic Downtown Annapolis to the confines of Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. In addition to the Clydesdales, the parade will feature bands, cheerleaders, mascots, color guards, and other performers. Also in attendance will be several recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor, which is given for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.
In support of our troops, Northrop Grumman is proud to offer free Military Bowl tickets for any active duty member of the military. Free tickets can be obtained through the USO-Metro Ticketline. For full details on the Military Bowl, please visit: http://www.militarybowl.org/
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