WATCH: Maryland Governor Wes Moore sweats it out with the Terps ahead of 2024 CFB season
The Maryland Terrapins football team ended the 2023 college football season on a positive note with a 31-13 win against coach Hugh Freeze's Auburn Tigers in the Music City Bowl. The Terps finished the season with an 8-5 record.
During the first day of fall camp on Wednesday, the team had a surprise visitor. Maryland Governor Wes Moore dressed up in a No. 24 jersey and ran the team through some drills.
The governor played college football at Johns Hopkins University as a wide receiver and was immediately comfortable running drills with the team, even catching a pass from quarterback MJ Morris.
After the practice session, Moore was complimentary of Terrapins coach Michael Locksley's team, pledging his support.
“I love the fire that (Head Coach Michael Locksley) brings to the team,” Moore said. “I love the fire that he brings to every practice. You practice like you play. And I think these guys are here playing like they intend to win. You have an entire state that has your back because every single day you have ours. Go out and show them what it means to be a Terp.”
Moore was later presented with a ball and a commemorative No. 63 jersey, which corresponds with him being the state's 63rd governor.
The Maryland Terrapins' football camp wasn't the only one that Governor Wes Moore attended this year. In the summer, he was also present at the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens camps.
Maryland coach aims for championship
The Terrapins are the 10th favorites with +12000 odds to win the Big Ten championship next season, according to BetMGM. However, the elimination of divisions in the conference has boosted coach Mike Locksley's confidence.
During an interview with 247Sports, Locksley revealed the chance that existed for teams like the Terrapins to pull off a miracle and win the conference over heavyweights like the Oregon Ducks.
"When you expand the room by getting rid of divisions, you allow more opportunities for teams like us," Locksley said. "With the NIL stuff coming into play, you never know what happens when you open it up like that.
"We're here to challenge status quo. When you look at the lack of divisions in the Big Ten, it's an opportunity for places like Maryland to break down that status quo that the top of our league has to be the same three or four teams. It's something to stand up in front of you guys and tell you that we want to compete for a Big Ten championship."
The Maryland Terrapins will start their 2024 season with a game against the UConn Huskies on Aug. 31.