Terp Football Team Opens Spring Drills This Week
3/7/2000 7:00:00 AM | Football
March 7, 2000
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland opens its 15-date spring football practice period on Wednesday, March 8 at the practice field adjacent to Byrd Stadium. The Terps, who begin their fourth year of the Ron Vanderlinden era in 2000, are slated to work out three times per week (with the exception of spring break, March 20-24), concluding with the annual Red-White spring game in Byrd Stadium Friday evening, April 14.
15 Starters Among 37 Returning Lettermen
Maryland returns 37 lettermen - including 15 starters - from its 1999 squad, which just missed earning the program's first bowl bid since 1990. On offense, key returnees among seven returning starters include tailback LaMont Jordan (Forestville, Md.), who finished fifth nationally in rushing last year, three-year starting fullback Matt Kalapinski (Marshfield, Mass.), center Melvin Fowler (Wheatly Heights, N.Y.), who has started every game the past two seasons, and wide receivers Guilian Gary (Horseheads, N.Y.) and Jason Hatala (Centreville, Va.), who combined for 35 receptions last year. Six starters are back on defense, including outside linebacker Aaron Thompson (Baltimore, Md.), who is chasing the school's career record for TFL's, free safety Shawn Forte (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), who had four interceptions last season, and inside linebacker Marlon Moore (Brandywine, Md.), who ranked second in the ACC in total tackles a year ago.
Jordan Will Sit Out Spring Practice Session
Heisman Trophy candidate LaMont Jordan, who rushed for more yards over the final six games of the 1999 season than any other college running back, will sit out Maryland's 15-date spring practice session in order to concentrate on his academic studies. Last year, Jordan rushed for a school-record 1,632 yards - the third-best single-season effort in Atlantic Coast Conference. His rushing total over the final six games - 1,101 yards - surpassed totals over the same six-game span by Wisconsin's Ron Dayne, Virginia's Thomas Jones and TCU's Ladainian Tomlinson.
Said Vanderlinden, "LaMont has two major goals this spring - get his academics in order, and get in the best possible shape in preparation for the 2000 season. LaMont wants to help lead Maryland to a bowl game this season, and he wants to give his best effort in bringing the Heisman to College Park. I fully support his decision to focus on academics, it is the primary reason for any student-athlete to attend college. Over the course of his career, LaMont has proved that he is one of the elite running backs in the country."
Terps At A Glance
QB - Last year's starter, Calvin McCall, will not report to spring camp until conclusion of the men's basketball season, where he is seeing time as a reserve guard/forward. In his absence, sophomore Latrez Harrison and JC transfer Shaun Hill will trade the majority of snaps in spring practice. TB - LaMont Jordan, with 3,227 career yards, enters his senior season as the nation's leading active rusher. FB - The Terps return a three-year starter in unheralded Matt Kalapinski, whose blocking has been instrumental in Jordan's success over the past three years. OL - Three starters return on the offensive front: junior center Melvin Fowler, sophomore tackle Matt Crawford, and sophomore guard Todd Wike. The Terps must replace second-team All-ACC selections in tackle Brad Messina and guard Jamie Wu. TE - Junior Matt Murphy moves back to tight end after playing on the defensive line as a backup last year, but will miss spring drills after offseason surgery. Redshirt freshman Jeff Dugan is a player to watch at this position. WR - Maryland returns four of its top five wideouts, including Guilian Gary (team-high 24 receptions in '99) and senior Jason Hatala. DL - Terps must replace three starters who combined for 77 career starts. LB - Maryland's all-sophomore linebacker crew from '99 returns intact for 2000, led by outside linebacker Aaron Thompson and inside backer Marlon Moore. Kevin Bishop underwent offseason knee surgery after getting injured in the ninth game last season. DB - The key loss in the secondary was cornerback Lewis Sanders, who decided to forego his final season of eligibility and declared for the NFL draft. Free safety Shawn Forte is back after picking off four passes in 1999. PK - Brian Kopka, who connected on 16 field goals, is a candidate for the Lou Groza Award as the nation's top kicker. P - Sophomore Brooks Barnard returns after earning third team Freshman All-America honors last season.
Spring Practice Schedule Wed, March 8 (Practice #1) 3:45 p.m. Thu, March 9 (Practice #2) 3:45 p.m. Sat, March 11 (Practice #3) 2:30 p.m. Tue, March 14 (Practice #4) 3:45 p.m. Wed, March 15 (Practice #5) 3:45 p.m. Fri, March 17 (Practice #6) 3:45 p.m. Tue, March 28 (Practice #7) 3:45 p.m. Thu, March 30 (Practice #8) 3:45 p.m. Sat, April 1 (Practice #9) 10:30 a.m. Tue, April 4 (Practice #10) 3:45 p.m. Thu, April 6 (Practice #11) 3:45 p.m. Sat, April 8 (Practice #12) 10:30 a.m. Tue, April 11 (Practice #13) 3:45 p.m.End of Spring Press Conference Wed., April 12 1:00 p.m.
Practice #14 Wed, April 12 (Practice #14) 3:45 p.m.
Red-White Spring Football Game Fri, April 14 (Byrd Stadium) 7:00 p.m.
2000 MARYLAND SCHEDULE Sat., Sept. 9 Temple-1 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 16 at West Virginia TBA Sat., Sept. 23 Middle Tennessee State 6 p.m. Thu., Sept. 28 * Florida State (ESPN) 8 p.m. Sat., Oct. 7 * at Virginia TBA Sat., Oct. 14 * at Clemson TBA Sat., Oct. 21 * Wake Forest-2 TBA Sat., Oct. 28 * at Duke TBA Sat., Nov. 4 * NC State-3 TBA Sat., Nov. 11 * at North Carolina TBA Sat., Nov. 18 * Georgia Tech TBA * Indicates ACC game 1 Fireworks/Band Night 2 Homecoming/Letterwinners Day 3 Family Weekend All dates and times subject to change
1999 RESULTS (5-6, 2-6 ACC) S2 at Temple W 6-0 S11 Western Carolina W 51-10 S18 West Virginia (ESPN2) W 33-0 S25 idle S30 * [-][9] at Georgia Tech (ESPN) L 31-49 O9 * at Wake Forest (JP) W 17-14 O16 * Clemson L 30-42 O23 * North Carolina (ABC) W 45-7 O30 * Duke L 22-25 N6 * at NC State (JP) L 17-30 N13 * [-][1] at Florida State (ABC) L 10-49 N20 * Virginia (JP) L 30-34 * ACC game [ ] [ ] indicates Maryland and opponent AP rankings
1999 FINAL ACC STANDINGS ACC Overall Teams W L W L Streak Florida State 8 0 12 0 W12 Georgia Tech 5 3 8 4 L1 Virginia 5 3 7 5 L1 Clemson 5 3 6 6 L1 Wake Forest 3 5 7 5 W2 NC State 3 5 6 6 L2 Duke 3 5 3 8 L1 Maryland 2 6 5 6 L4 North Carolina 2 6 3 8 W2
RETURNING STARTERS IN 2000
Offense (7) LG-Todd Wike (6-3, 282, RSo.) C-Melvin Fowler (6-3, 287, Jr.) RT-Matt Crawford (6-6, 290, RSo.) QB-Calvin McCall (6-3, 189, RSo.) FB-Matt Kalapinski (6-1, 224, Sr.) TB-LaMont Jordan (5-11, 219, Sr.) WR-Jason Hatala (5-10, 174, Sr.)
Defense (6) DT-Charles Hill (6-2, 283, Jr.) ILB-Kevin Bishop (6-2, 227, Jr.) ILB-Marlon Moore (6-1, 221, Jr.) OLB-Aaron Thompson (6-1, 233, Jr.) FS-Shawn Forte (6-0, 201, Sr.) SS-Rod Littles (5-11, 195, Jr.)
Specialists (2) PK-Brian Kopka (5-7, 174, Sr.) P-Brooks Barnard (6-2, 183, RSo.)
