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Randy Edsall couldn't ask for a better scenario to make an excellent first impression in his bid to lift the Maryland football program from good to great.
The Edsall Era begins Monday night at home against Atlantic Coast Conference foe Miami before an expected sellout crowd and a national television audience.
Most of the country is curious to see how the Hurricanes will fare in the wake of scandal that led to the suspension of eight players. But Maryland also will draw some attention after a huge offseason transformation that began with the dismissal of coach Ralph Friedgen.
Edsall was hired in January after a successful run at Connecticut.
''We want to take this football program to another level,'' athletic director Kevin Anderson said at the time. ''That's why Randy is sitting here.''
Come Monday night, Edsall will be standing on the sideline at Byrd Stadium.
''This isn't about Randy Edsall,'' he said. ''This is about the kids playing football on the field. In terms of trying to set the tone and where we want to go, it's important. But to me, every game is important and they (get) the same emphasis every week. If you treat them any different from that, I think it's a mistake.''
Spoken like a true football coach. His players, however, aren't buying it.
''It's exciting - a big stage, a big opportunity,'' offensive lineman Andrew Gonnella said. ''Our performance Monday night is going to put a label on us for the rest of the season. If we win, there are going to be some serious positive benefits. It's a great way to start the season. It's everything you could ask for.''
Beating Miami would make a huge statement - even though Miami also has a first-year coach (Al Golden) and will play without quarterback Jacory Harris, one of 12 players who face sanctions from the NCAA for accepting benefits from former booster Nevin Shapiro.
None of that matters to the Terps.
''We can't be worried about that,'' linebacker Kenny Tate said. ''We have to take care of business at Maryland.''
The anticipation level is high. In addition to having a new coach, the Terrapins will play their first game with two new coordinators and will be wearing new uniforms. Returning players such as Tate and quarterback Danny O'Brien are about the only holdovers from Friedgen's regime.
Last year, O'Brien was 9 for 28 for 134 yards in a 26-20 loss to Miami. The Maryland offense scored only one touchdown, and the Terrapins lost on a 35-yard TD pass with 37 seconds left.
O'Brien won't soon forget that loss. He knows winning Monday would help ease the pain.
''That was probably the worst feeling of the season,'' O'Brien said. ''Just losing the way we did, starting the game off shaky and then picking it back up, having some big plays, and then to lose in the last minute of the game, it really stings. Had we won, who knows where the season would have gone from there?''
About the last thing O'Brien or the Terrapins need is to carry a familiar lament following this matchup with the Canes.
''I see a team that is anxious to play. I see a team that is eager to go out and play to the best of their ability,'' Edsall said. ''I don't think that we are uptight and nervous. Right now I like what I see out of our team.''
