A look at Thursday night’s Georgia Tech-Maryland game

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002 | 5:32 a.m.

Site - Byrd Stadium 48,055), College Park, Md.

Kickoff - 7:45 p.m. EDT.

TV - ESPN (Mike Tirico, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Dr. Jerry Punch).

Records - Georgia Tech (4-2 overall, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference); Maryland (4-2, 0 (1)-.

Coaches - Georgia Tech, Chan Gailey (28-13 career, 4-2 school); Maryland, Ralph Friedgen (14-4 career, same at school).

Last Meeting - Maryland upset Georgia Tech 20-17 in overtime last year in Atlanta. Nick Novak kicked a 26-yard field goal in the extra period, and Joe Burns fumbled on the Yellow Jackets' possession.

Series Record - Georgia Tech leads 10-4.

Key Players - Georgia Tech, QB A.J. Suggs (struggled in a 24-21 loss to Wake Forest), TB Ajenavi Eziemefe (true freshman still learning his way after replacing Tony Hollings), LBs Recardo Wimbush and Daryl Smith (must stop Maryland ground game which has gained more than 200 yards in three straight games); Maryland, TBs Chris Downs and Josh Allen (both have shined in replace of injured Bruce Perry, doubtful for this game with a torn groin); QB Scott McBrien (thrown for 590 yards in the past three games, with five touchdown passes and no interceptions); LB E.J. Henderson (73 tackles in six games, including 7 1/2 for a loss).

Extra Points - This is Georgia Tech's 14th Thursday night game on ESPN, the most for any school. ... Maryland's victory last season snapped a four-game losing streak in the series. ... The Terrapins have only 11 seniors. ... Perry tore his groin in practice Aug. 20, and hasn't played at all this season. Last year's Atlantic Coast Conference offensive player of the year might not return. ... Georgia Tech PK Luke Manget is nearly recovered from a pulled groin suffered in warmups before the game against North Carolina. He might not kickoff against the Terrapins, though.