Friedgen Visit the Photo Place

FRIENDS MUST BE FOES

ACC Report

Date published: 11/6/2008

BY JIM McCONNELL

They have known each other since both were graduate assistants under Jerry Claiborne at Maryland in 1972. They took Lamaze classes together when their wives were expecting their first children. They both own summer homes on Georgia's Lake Oconee and their families frequently vacation there together.

But for three hours tonight, Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Maryland's Ralph Friedgen will put their close personal friendship aside and try to win a football game that has significant postseason implications for both teams.

"He's a guy I highly respect. I've coached with him. I'd rather not coach against him, but both of us are going to work real hard to win," Beamer said of his matchup with Friedgen, whose Terps invade Lane Stadium for a 7:45 p.m. kickoff.

Maryland leads the Atlantic Division by one game in the loss column over Wake Forest and Florida State, but Friedgen hasn't had much luck against Beamer in the teams' previous two ESPN Thursday night matchups.

The coaches' friendship was seriously tested in 2004, when Virginia Tech rolled to a 55-6 victory in Blacksburg. A year later, the Hokies overcame four turnovers to win 28-9 in College Park, Md.

"That was one of those nights everything just started our way and went our way. It was an odd ballgame," Beamer said of the '04 game.

The ACC's schedule-maker granted the coaches a reprieve the last two years, but they weren't so fortunate this season. So tonight, as Beamer and Friedgen prepare their teams for battle, their wives will be exchanging pleasantries high above the field in the Beamers' luxury box.

"It's always hard when you coach against a friend," Friedgen said, "but we're in the same league so it's going to happen."

BOWDENS GET BREATHER

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden knows all about awkward encounters, having coached against son Tommy for the last nine seasons.

A 10th Bowden Bowl was canceled last month when the younger Bowden resigned as Clemson's coach, making this weekend the most stress-free Florida State-Clemson game family matriarch Anne Bowden has enjoyed in a long time.

"It takes out the fact that somebody in your family has to lose and somebody has to win," Bobby Bowden said. "But I will miss seeing Tommy out on the field before the game because you hardly get to see your children any more."

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Date published: 11/6/2008