Aug. 13, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team continued fall practice today as it worked in helmets and half pads (shoulder only) in preparation for its September 1st opener versus North Carolina. Below are notes from the team's third day of fall practice, August 13, 2001:

Terps Work on Two Types of Turf
The Terps were able to get in both practices today and they can thank a semi-new facility for the ability to do so.

The morning session was held on the artificial turf for the second day in a row at the football practice fields. It was overcast, but the Terrapins got in a full 24 periods of work, with the defense looking strong. LB Aaron Thompson and S Tony Jackson each had interceptions in the session in full team drills.

The afternoon practice session started off on the same outdoor turf but was halted with about 20 minutes left as storm clouds complete with lightning and thunder claps rolled into College Park. The Terps took refuge in the newly refurbished indoor practice bubble across the street at the UM Golf Course. With the Terp tennis team working in new facilities of their own, a new, state-of-the-art artificial turf (complete with particles that resemble dirt between the blades of "grass") has been put down in the bubble and it came in handy today as the team was able to complete its final 20 minutes indoors. The most impressive play of the day may have come prior to the team taking cover, however, as newcomer Mario Merrills took a handoff in full team drills, reversed his field and showed blazing speed as he broke what would have been about a 70-yard run.

From Coach Friedgen
on today's practices
"Right now, the defense is way ahead of the offense. Some of that is because we are missing some people and we have some freshmen in there who are still learning the offense. They are doing the best that they can, but you can't expect them to be ready to play after what is really their eighth practice of the year.

"But I am pretty pleased with the defense and the way they are playing. They are really getting after people...I like our quickness. Our defensive line is also better than what they were in the spring so that's comforting."

on how the offense is shaping up
"I think Shaun (Hill) is looking good. I think he is making better decisions than he was in the spring and he has a better grasp of things. We are still trying to find someone at running back. The freshmen are doing okay yet the situation at running back is similar to that of the defensive line. A lot of it they are going to have to learn as they go.

"I also really like the way our two tight ends - Matt Murphy and Jeff Dugan - are playing. They are doing a pretty good job."

Practice Info
Practice is scheduled for 9:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. on Tuesday. Times are tentative. For updated practice times, click on the link for `2001 Practice Times' on the football webpage.

Tickets
For tickets to the Terrapins' 2001 season opener versus North Carolina on September 1st and other Maryland football games, call (800) 462-TERP (8377).