1953 Maryland Terrapins football team

The 1953 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) college football in its first season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Maryland outscored its opponents 298–38 and recorded six defensive shutouts. Jim Tatum served as the head coach for the seventh year of his nine-year tenure. The season culminated with the team being bestowed the title of national champions. In the postseason, Maryland lost to Oklahoma in the 1954 Orange Bowl.

Personnel
The 1953 team consisted of the following letterwinners:


 * George Albrecht
 * Ralph Baierl
 * Lynn Beightol
 * Dick Bielski
 * Ray Blackburn
 * Jack Bowersox
 * Charles Boxold
 * Don Brougher
 * Dick Burgee
 * Marty Crytzer
 * Russell Dennis
 * Bernie Faloney
 * Ralph Felton
 * Tim Flynn
 * Chet Hanulak
 * Fred Heffner
 * Herb Hoffman


 * Joe Horning
 * John Irvine
 * Stan Jones
 * Jim Kilgallen
 * Paul Kramer
 * Tom McLuckie
 * Bob Morgan
 * Dick Nolan
 * Dave Nusz
 * George Palahunik
 * Jim Parsons
 * Bob Pellegrini
 * Richard Shipley
 * Ed Vereb
 * Ron Waller
 * Bill Walker
 * John Weiciecowski

The coaching staff consisted of:
 * Jim Tatum, head coach
 * Emmett Cheek
 * Warren Giese, ends
 * Jack Hennemier, defensive line
 * Tommy Mont, backfield
 * Vernon Seibert
 * Eddie Teague, defensive backfield
 * Bob Ward