DAILY REPORT: FILED TUESDAY, DEC. 28, 2010

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A game of beginnings and ends

WNCT-TV 9 Sports Director Brian Bailey is on the scene in Washington, DC, bringing daily coverage of bowl week to Bonesville's readers and Channel 9's viewers. The week climaxes on Wednesday with East Carolina's Military Bowl showdown with Maryland.

Related Items of Interest Audio: Chris Johnson at the Military Bowl Luncheon Kevin's Keys to the Game Defense out to save face against Terps A game of beginnings and ends Military Bowl Report & Photo Gallery No.3 Audio: Coaches McNeill & Friedgen and Players Weather, layoff not a concern for Ruff Pirates apply finishing touches in the cold Military Bowl Report & Photo Gallery No. 2 Audio: Ruffin McNeill after Sunday practice Pirates brave cold for Sunday workout Military Bowl Report & Photo Gallery No. 1 East Carolina's wise men size up Terps

By Brian Bailey

WASHINGTON, DC — East Carolina and Maryland will play each other for the first time in today's Military Bowl. The two squads have spent the last week in our nation's capital, but the two informally hooked up for the first time at Tuesday's Military Bowl Luncheon.

As we get set for today's 2:30 kickoff, I believe we are in for an outstanding game. Yes, I agree that we should see lots of points. I also think this Pirate team really wants to shed that two-game bowl losing streak with a win today.

As for Maryland, I'm not sure how Coach Ralph Friedgen's firing is going to impact this Terrapins team. The Terps lost their offensive coordinator, James Franklin, to Vanderbilt, so there will be an adjustment. Friedgen, himself, told me earlier this week that he also wasn't sure how his team would react. It could be a disaster, but it could also serve as a rallying cry.

Friedgen is much like Ruffin McNeill in that he has a deep love for his players.

McNeill's players would like nothing more then to reward their coach with a victory in this bowl game. It's certainly a study of contrasts, with McNeill starting his head coaching career this year at his alma mater, and with Maryland alum Friedgen having his come to an end.

Maryland is a seven-point favorite for good reason. This is a good team from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Pirates, though, have one win over an ACC team in North Carolina State, and had both UNC-Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech on the ropes before falling apart in the second half.

East Carolina fans should savor every minute of Dwayne Harris's last game for the Pirates. He has always been a class act, and a wonderful talent on the field. He ends his career as one of the all-time greats in ECU football history.

Enjoy the game. It's been a quick week, but fun to walk around and see all of the history in Washington, DC.

Today, that history takes us to RFK Stadium. I was there for the 1982 NFC Championship game, when the Skins blasted my favorite team to advance to the Super Bowl. I literally thought the stadium was going to fall down. It shook and rattled, but somehow stayed together.

We won't see that today, but hopefully it will be a great crowd and an exciting game!

Content: Brian Bailey. ©2010 Bonesville.net and WNCT-TV 9. All rights reserved.