July 28, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the final segment of a nine-part installment previewing the University of Maryland football team for 2005. The Terrapins kick off fall camp in four days and are less than a month from the season opener against Navy at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium, September 3rd (CSTV).

Today's installment takes a look at the Terrapin special teams, a unit that will have major changes this season.

Special Teams
For the first time since Ralph Friedgen's first season, the team has to concern itself with placekicker and long snapper. Both Nick Novak - the league's all-time leading scorer - and LS Jon Condo are in pro camps and need to be replaced.

At kicker, junior Dan Ennis and redshirt freshman Obi Egekeze are neck-and-neck heading into the fall. Ennis is a hard-working former soccer player who has gotten better with each season since walking on three years ago. Egekeze struggled at times last season but finished spring very strong, showing a good leg and accuracy. Egekeze will handle kickoffs while newcomer Chris Roberts will also work there.

"I tried to make both of those guys choke," said Friedgen. "I froze them, I talked to them, I would make them run sprints...they handled the pressure pretty good. Obi has the better range and improved as the spring went on, but they are both still in there battling for the job."

Adam Podlesh's first two seasons as the Terrapin's punter could not have been much better with two seasons as a Ray Guy semifinalist under his belt. One of the best directional punters in the country, Podlesh is in better shape than he has ever been and will look to crack into the nation's top 10 in average once again. He has been a second team All-ACC performer in each of his first two years, averaging 43.1 yards in the last two seasons.

At long snapper, Tim Cesa will likely handle punts while Andrew Schmitt - Kyle's younger brother - will compete with Brendan McDermond on kick-snapping duties. In returns, the team must replace ACC career record holder Steve Suter, but Jo Jo Walker has looked very good on both kicks and punts. Josh Wilson will get a look on punts as well, as will Vernon Davis - yes, 250-pound Vernon Davis - on kickoffs.

"Losing Novak and Condo were concerns, but we have made progress and I think that is something that will continue to improve as we move on," said Friedgen.

Outlook Schedule on UMterps.com:
Offense/Quarterbacks        Posted July 7
Tailbacks/Fullbacks         Posted July 12
Wide Receivers              Posted July 14
Tight Ends                  Posted July 19
Offensive Line              Posted July 21
Defense/Defensive Line      Posted July 26
Linebackers                 Thursday, July 28
Defensive Backs             Tuesday, August 2
Specialists                 Today

Other important dates:
Start of Camp/Media Day     Monday, August 8
Fan Day                     Sunday, August 21
Season Opener vs. Navy      Saturday, September 3
Home Opener vs. Clemson     Saturday, September 10

For season ticket information, please call the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) IM A-TERP (8377).