Aug. 25, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Nearly 500 fans turned out to watch University of Maryland's final intrasquad scrimmage before it begins its final week of preparations leading up to Saturday's home and season opener vs. North Carolina.

Kickoff for the Terps' Atlantic Coast Conference clash vs. the Tar Heels is noon. Tickets are still available by calling the Terrapin Ticket Office (800-462-TERP).

Senior quarterback Shaun Hill completed 6 of 12 passes for 53 yards while leading the Terrapins' No. 1 offensive unit during the scrimmage portion of Saturday's workout. Sophomore Bruce Perry, who has risen to the top of the Terps' depth chart at tailback, carried six times for 31 yards to lead all rushers. Sophomore Jafar Williams (3 catches, 31 yards) and junior Scooter Monroe (3 catches, 26 yards) led the wide receiver corps.

Following the scrimmage, the nearly 500 fans in attendance were able to mingle with players, who signed autographs and posed for pictures for nearly an hour.

The Terps will have Sunday off, then resume workouts with 4:10 p.m. practices scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS FROM RALPH FRIEDGEN:
On impressions coming out of camp
"I think we've shown some improvement, and I'm anxious to see how much. I don't know who will show up Saturday. I'm anxious and excited. You never know how kids will react under fire. There's never a game where you won't find yourself in situations you have to fight your way through. You've got to hang together and believe you will come out in the end. I'm anxious to see how we respond in those situations. A lot of times that's the difference between winning and losing -- how well you handle adversity and how you persevere."

Will a good reaction in a pressure situation be a good omen?
"It's a very good omen for the season. It's only one game, but I think it's something this team needs. It needs some confidence, something to build on, some experience where you fight through things and achieve something, something to fall back on. That's what you need to start building a program."

On status on wide receiver Guilian Gary
"I've said we have to break him in slow. Everything has tested out normal, and he's back to normal. I'm expecting he'll be in practice on Monday. Then we'll just have to see how he proceeds from there." [Note: Gary was cleared Saturday by medical personnel to resume full participation, although he was held out of Saturday's scrimmage by the coaching staff.]

On his rotation of receivers
"I'd like to keep six [in the rotation]. When [Steve] Suter comes back - and they're talking about him possibly being back Tuesday - we'll have to make some decisions. I think you have certain guys and you work them, and if some are close, you rotate them. I never want them to think they're too far from the scout field. I think guys are a little more motivated that way."

On defensive line
"I think we'll play quite a bit of those kids [on the two-deep] to keep them fresh. C.J. Feldheim has really improved since the spring, and I think Charles Hill and Durrand Roundtree are playing well. And so is Scott Smith, he's playing better than I saw in the spring. And I think [true freshman] Randy Starks is going to be a really good player, we'll just let him grow. I wouldn't say this area is a weakness any more, we've got a couple guys who can play, and they play hard right now. You keep them fresh, let them play hard, and let them go as far as they can go."

On QB Shaun Hill
"Shaun Hill has done very, very well. In fact, better than I thought he would have played to this point."

On team's progress assimilating the offensive scheme
"I think the team is executing plays better. Things that were very hard in the spring - like throwing an out route - are very easy for us. In the spring, we might have completed three of 10, now its seven of 10. I won't be happy until its 10 out of 10. But it's not a panic anymore, it's just a confidence thing of going over and catching it. We still have some bridges to cross."

Comments on the offense
"I think our top two tight ends are two really good tight ends. I think [Matt] Murphy and [Jeff] Dugan are as good as there are in the conference. That's a strength for us. And I think we have three fullbacks that are pretty good, I don't know if there is any one that is great, but there all probably better than a lot of teams are playing with. Tailback is a question of who is going to rise to the occasion. Our offensive line is still young, but they need to keep on improving. They will be really tested against a real good offensive line [against North Carolina]."