On Campus: Davidson remains loyal to Terps

Ian Davidson, Hampton University's new starting left tackle, played four seasons - including a redshirt year - at Maryland. Davidson says he transferred to HU under amicable circumstances and that he still has many friends in College Park, so of course he watched the Terps beat Miami 32-24 on Monday night.

That begged one burning question: What did he think of those uniforms?

"I loved them," Davidson said without hesitation. "I was sending text messages (to former teammates). Loved the uniforms, the jerseys."

Davidson called cornerback Cameron Chism, whose 54-yard interception return for a touchdown with 39 seconds left sealed the Terps' win. His message: "Get me one of those arm sleeves. Immediately. Send it down, FedEx, however youve got to do it."

Davidson isn't planning to rock it with the Pirates' blue-and-silver jersey, though.

"I just want one," he said. "Ill just hang it up in my room."

Davidson also watched good friend Ronnie Tyler catch six passes for 43 yards and a TD, though the Terps' threads turned as many heads as their play.

The unis unveiled Monday, called "Pride," are one of 16 possible helmet-and-jersey combos in the collection produced by Under Armour, a company founded by two Maryland graduates. Featuring a garish gold-and-black design on one side and an abstract red-and-white motif on the other, the look was accented by the gray-and-yellow checkered arm sleeves that Davidson coveted.

The look is modeled after Maryland's state flag (not exactly a study in subtlety itself), and set the college football world abuzz with commentary usually reserved for hapless fashion victims trapped in the 360-degree mirror on TLC's "What Not to Wear."

Davidson, though, was steadfast in his support of his former team, and its uniforms. He did his part to make news this weekend, too, blocking a potential game-winning field goal in Hampton's 21-20 season-opening win against Alabama A&M on Saturday.

Ready more about Davidson's path to HU - and about the target he wears on his back every game - in Thursday's Daily Press.