Spring Football Practice Report No. 3

April 10, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following are reports from the University of Maryland practice fields from April 8th and 9th, two days which encompass practice five in a spring session of 15 outings for the Terp football team. Reports will be filed every Monday and Thursday afternoons as the team progresses toward the annual Red/White game on April 29th (3:00 p.m.).

Saturday, April 8

The Terps came in, went through being taped up and getting prepared for practice as always, but Mother Nature simply did not comply. A steady rain throughout the morning and the rest of the day forced the team to reschedule its practice for Sunday afternoon. In spring football, a school is given a total of 15 practice sessions and compromising getting work done by trying to brave the elements does not make sense this early in the four-week schedule.

Sunday, April 9

A day later and any indication that a mini-monsoon took place the day before was erased. It was a mild and sunny day without a cloud in the sky as the Terps took the field at 2:00 p.m. in full pads, their second full-contact practice of the spring.

Referees were on hand to work with the team and help it simulate game-like conditions, at least from a discipline perspective. Early in the practice, the Terrapins broke down and had one-on-one drills (backs and tight ends versus linebackers in the pass game), punt protection, pass rush and pass protection (linemen) and goal line installation among others.

A couple of players who have been getting a look at new positions were linebackers Rick Costa and Marvin Peoples who were each getting a look at fullback. Both are very physical players and Peoples actually caught a touchdown pass late in the practice session in goal line.

One good sign on Sunday was the sight of Jared Gaither back on the field. Though wearing a yellow, non-contact jersey, Gaither (back strain) went through drills and seemed far from limited in his work. His injury suffered in the weightroom last week will clearly not keep him out long.

Competition was tight in team drills. On one play, Sam Hollenbach connected with Isaiah Williams for a short gain and CB Jamari McCullough came up and gave him a pop that heard some "oohs" from the sideline. A few plays later, Hollenbach connected with Williams, beating McCullough down the sideline for about a 35-yard gain.

Defensive tackle Rob Armstrong, who missed last year with a back injury, has surprisingly made his way back onto the field and has been performing well, a welcomed sight in the middle of the Terp line. Armstrong bull rushed straight up the middle on one play later in team drills to sack Chris Turner.

DE Jeremy Navarre was noticeable, making several plays against the run for short gains.

Slot receiver Danny Oquendo came up with a diving catch ahead of S Marcus Wimbush on a play where each had an equal opportunity at the ball and Oquendo out-muscled the typically physical Wimbush.

Backup safety Hunter Reddick had a leaping interception, one of the few on the day, on the last play before the team went into goal line drills.

The first team defense got the better of the first team offense on the first goal line series of the day. In that series, Christian Varner put a big hit on Lance Ball on third and goal and the defense held on fourth down. When it was all said and done, the first team offense was two-of-three in goal line and the second team was two-of-two with Josh Allen scoring on his first run in goal line of the day.

Friedgen on Sunday's practice: "It was good to see Jared Gaither back out there today. His presence gives us a lot more depth and he is fighting through this injury pretty good. We aren't catching the ball real well at receiver right now , but overall we did well today. There was some good hitting going on out there. I am pleased with where we are and feel like it has been a good first five days of practice."

Dates to Remember

April 15 -- Scrimmage #1 (10:00 a.m.)

April 22 -- Scrimmage #2 (2:45 p.m.)

April 29 -- Annual Red/White Game (3:00 p.m.)

May 7 -- Maryland Football Gala

September 2 -- Season opener vs. William & Mary (6:00 p.m.)

For updated practice schedules and information on other Maryland football events, visit the Maryland Gridiron Network website.

Players Mentioned

Lance Ball

Rick Costa

Jeremy Navarre

Danny Oquendo

Chris Turner

Christian Varner

Isaiah Williams

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