For all of the chatter about signing day rankings that Maryland managed to generate in the middle of the Aughts, the program's ability to uncover useful pieces no one ever considered particularly valuable on the recruiting trail was crucial in securing success on several occasions.
That includes kicker Dan Ennis, a one-time walk-on who beat out a scholarship player not once but twice to etch out a decent (if unexpected) career for himself in College Park.
Ennis had few chances to show what he could do in his first three years on campus. After a redshirt season, he connected on four extra points in 2003 (three against The Citadel, one against Duke, all with Maryland up by at least 20) and didn't play the next year.
But Nick Novak eventually graduated, and that meant the kicker job was open. After a solid camp (and an injury to Obi Egekeze), Ennis won the job in 2005 and promptly rattled off 11 field goals in a row.
Later in the season, he kicked an overtime game-winner against North Carolina --- albeit after the frustration of two errant field goals and a missed extra point earlier in the day --- and less than an hour later produced one of Maryland football's more memorable quotes of the last decade.
"I'm not a fan of the uprights," he said. "If they could just do away with the upright system and have nothing there, that would be fine with me."
Egekeze was healthy the next year, but Ennis fended him off and also earned a scholarship heading into his final season. After a sluggish first month (mirroring a fairly lethargic September for the Terrapins), Ennis made 16 of 17 field goal attempts.
Included in that stretch was another game-winner, a 31-yarder as time expired at Clemson to hand Maryland its fourth straight victory.
Ennis completed his senior season 20-for-25 on field goals and 32-for-32 on extra points. He was an honorable mention selection in the year-end all-conference awards. He wrapped up his career with a career field goal percentage of 74 percent, not too far off Novak.
Obviously, Novak will appear later in this list, and rightfully so. But Ennis' two strong seasons also earned him a place in the Stocked Fridge.
CAREER FIELD GOAL PCT., MARYLAND KICKERS 2001-09
100.0: Vedad Siljkovic (1-1)
74.8: Nick Novak (80-107)
74.0: Dan Ennis (37-50)
72.0: Nick Ferrara (18-25)
68.1: Obi Egekeze (32-47)
Someone passed this to me. As the proud father of Dan Ennis and a Maryland grad. I can tell you I am happy with #66 in the Fridge....he is #1 in mine. Hardest working kid a father could have.
Posted by: Daniel R. Ennis | 07/15/2010 at 12:14 PM
Daniel ---
Im not sure theres anyone who passed through Marylands program in the last decade who not only completely earned everything he got, but pretty much HAD to earn his opportunities just to get on the field as much as your son. The Terps certainly wouldnt have won nine games in 2006 without him.
Posted by: D1scourse | 07/15/2010 at 12:29 PM