Monday Practice Report from Toyota Gator Bowl
12/29/2003 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 29, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Maryland practiced in near-80 degree temperatues Monday at Jacksonville University. The team practiced in full pads, working through all phases of its game. The workout schedule was based on the Terrapins' normal Wednesday scheme, since the Toyota Gator Bowl game is scheduled for Thursday afternoon against West Virginia. Practice ended 30 minutes before schedule. Senior quarterback Orlando Evans injured his right knee during one of the team periods midway through practice.
Post-practice quotes from Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen:
On Orlando Evans' injury:
"It looks like we lost Orlando, he hurt his knee. We'll wait to hear what (Team Physician Dr. Brian Crites) has to say, but I'm concerned about it... From what I hear, he just kind of planted on it. We'll just have to see how it goes. I'm hoping he's going to be OK, but we'll have to see.
On the intensity of practice:
"It was real good today. The blitz drill, we almost had to cancel it. There was some pretty good hitting going on. Everyone enjoyed it."
On Bruce Perry:
"I'm very proud of his perseverence. He's hung in there and kept playing, I was very happy with the way he played at Wake Forest. Hopefully he has a very good game against West Virginia. This would be a really nice thing for him to come out and play the way he's capable of playing."
On Perry's relationship with Josh Allen:
"They room together. If you know Josh Allen, he's the epitome of a team player. I don't think anybody was happier than Josh when Bruce had his big day, and probably the same thing when Josh had his big day against Virginia. They're two good kids... I think one of the things with this team over the last five games, I think we've really come together as a team. That's what I'm proud about. Just watching us compete out here today and enjoying themselves, I think they've enjoyed themselves all three practices (in Jacksonville). They've been very upbeat and they've worked very, very hard. I think they're ready to play. We've got one more tomorrow and we'll get ready to tee it up."
On the secondary:
"They have a lot of experience and they're all good players, but they're all great kids. Every one of those kids signed up for the trip to the (Wolfson) Children's Hospital."
On how he's spending his "down-time":
"I haven't had a lot of down-time. My wife went to play (golf) at Sawgrass. There was a little chocolate that they put on the pillow at the hotel and she wouldn't let me have that either. So it's been tough. She's having a wonderful time."
On West Virginia:
"I know they're a very physical football team and they play hard every time we play them. It's not going to be any different Thursday. It's a rivalry. We've won the last two and I think they won the last couple before that. We know what we're in for. It's going to be a tough game."
On playing them twice in the same year:
"I think what happens with coaches, they start playing the 'what-if' game. You have to be careful blocking ghosts and preparing for things. I know our walk-throughs will have a lot of things in there that they could do this or they could do that. So we don't spend a lot of time on it, but we cover it. Hopefully we'll be able to adjust to it during the game."
