Baltz done for season

So how's this for an appropriate situation for Maryland.

The Terrapins had punter Travis Baltz undergo surgery two days early on his broken right ring finger in the hopes he would be able to serve as an emergency kicker on Saturday.

Then it's discovered the injury is worse.

"They operated on him yesterday. it's probably a good thing we did, because it's a lot worse than we anticipated," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "If they operated on Thursday, we might not have been able to get a repair. So the fact we operated yesterday so he could be able to play --- just like everything's been going my way this year --- now he can't play."

So the bad news: Baltz is done for the year.

The good news: It would have been a lot tougher to fix if Maryland hadn't hoped they could rush him back.

If that makes any sense.

In any case, Ted Townsley will be the backup punter, and Mike Barbour will serve as the backup placekicker. Nick Ferrara will handle the starting chores.

--- Patrick Stevens