Terps get Bullish

The Terrapins are getting bullish on their running game.

Sammy “the Bull” Maldonado is emerging as a big part of the Maryland offense — and as something of a cult figure among teammates and fans.

Maybe it’s the tattoo on his left forearm that depicts a skull carrying a football that indicates his toughness. Perhaps the one on his right shoulder of a lion playing poker with a stack of cash shows he’s a money player.

Whatever it is, the Terps are taking notice of this tough-talking New Yorker from coach Ralph Friedgen’s hometown.

The Terrapins running back never told teammates that “the Bull” also was his nickname in high school, where he nailed opposing runners as a linebacker. It’s just a natural moniker that has followed him.

But now his Maryland teammates can’t pass him by without calling out, “Sammy the Bull.” It’s sort of a superstition, such as rubbing the Testudo statue’s nose outside the locker-room door.

Maldonado and Josh Allen will share backfield duties while Bruce Perry (high ankle sprain) will be limited at best against West Virginia on Saturday. The tandem gained 202 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 61-0 romp over The Citadel.

The Terps plan to rely heavily on their ground game because quarterback Scott McBrien hasn’t progressed as much as expected. Maryland figures a solid ground game will enhance McBrien’s passing, so Allen and Maldonado will carry the ball regularly against West Virginia.

“Sammy wears them out — he allows me to go in there and do my thing,” Allen said. “It’s hard [for defenses] to get used to the tempo. He’s going to bust up there real hard. I have the speed to get outside. It’s different threats.”

Maldonado still has a linebacker’s mentality. He challenges defenders, and his 6-foot, 231-pound frame is thick enough to win some of the clashes.

“If I deliver the first blow there’s no chance of [a defender] giving me the hit,” he said. “I’m not one to make a lot of moves. I make one move. If you’re in my way, I’ll run you over.”

Maldonado barreled over The Citadel’s defenders regularly for two touchdowns and 66 yards on 12 carries. Friedgen jokingly calls Maldonado “Sammy the Bull” when he runs straight ahead but “Ferdinand the bull” when he takes it outside like Allen.

“Sammy will pick his own hole and make one if he doesn’t see it,” offensive tackle Eric Dumas said. “He’ll go head first. He’ll let anybody know he’ll run you over. He won’t try to outrun you like Josh.”

Maldonado was once one of the top prep runners nationally. He gained more than 7,000 yards with 99 touchdowns at Harrison High School in New York, where Friedgen played in the 1960s under his father, who also played there in the Depression era. The school’s roots are so intertwined that Maldonado’s prep coach, Art Troilo, was the son of Friedgen Sr.’s successor.

Maldonado scored seven touchdowns in a playoff game where the local paper headlined him as “the Bull.” He once kept running after losing his helmet. Ten touchdown runs of 50 or more yards were negated by penalties.

“Sammy was really looked up to here,” Troilo said. “Every kid wants to be like Sammy. He was a tremendous competitor — the rare combination of size and speed. The more he played, the better he would be.”

Maldonado transferred to Maryland last year after playing little in two seasons at Ohio State. He sat out one year under the mandatory transfer penalty, working just on the scout team and taking 43 credits in one year to remain eligible instead of the usual 24.

Finally, Maldonado played before friendly fans and scored touchdowns against The Citadel. It felt like Harrison High once again.

“I really missed Saturdays,” he said. “It just felt so great to be in the end zone.”

Notes — The Terps will practice at 5:50a.m. to avoid Hurricane Isabel, though Friedgen joked, “We will have a good practice or we’ll be back out there at 2:30p.m.” West Virginia won’t arrive until late Friday after practicing beforehand rather than use Maryland’s field. … Defensive end Scott Smith (back) is out. Kevin Eli will start.