Terps football's 2012 schedule released

For a Terrapins football team desperate to move on from last year's 2-10 debacle, the release of the team's schedule for the 2012 season yesterday came as a welcome reminder that there is, at least, a future.

Home games against Florida State and coach Randy Edsall's former team, Connecticut, highlight the Terps' fall slate, which includes nine games against bowl teams from last season.

The Terps open their season Sept. 1 against William & Mary at Byrd Stadium. From there, they play three straight nonconference games against Temple, Connecticut and West Virginia.

The home-and-home series with Connecticut, which will continue with a Huskies home game in 2013, was scheduled before Edsall or Athletic Director Kevin Anderson arrived in College Park.

ACC play begins after a bye week for the Terps, who open against Wake Forest Oct. 6 and then face Virginia, N.C. State and Boston College.

They'll close their season with a far more strenuous stretch, hosting Georgia Tech before consecutive games at ACC champion Clemson and at home against Florida State. The Terps' regular season concludes at North Carolina Nov. 24.

Unlike last season, when the Terps opened with five home games in their first six games, the team's schedule alternates home and away games throughout the season. Game times will be set at a later date.

cwalsh@umdbk.com