Spring Football Practice Report No. 4

April 13, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following are reports from the University of Maryland practice fields from April 11th and 13th, practices six and seven 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.).

Tuesday, April 11

The weather continued to be cooperative for the Terrapins this spring as the team stayed on schedule with its sixth practice, a full-contact session with referees again on hand.

On the first play in team drills, DE Jeremy Navarre did a good job in contain on an end around, stopping WR Drew Weatherly on what would have been a sizable gain. Navarre not only kept the play from going outside, but also made the stop.

Tailback Lance Ball got a good seal block from OT Dane Randolph on a draw out of shotgun formation for a good gain up the right sideline.

About five plays after Navarre's nice play in the backfield, he was lined up to sack QB Sam Hollenbach but C Phil Costa came over with a crackback block that helped Hollenbach get off the throw. Navarre took exception to the block which drew jeers from his offensive counterparts, part of the healthy competition of spring.

Second-year linebacker Marvin Peoples got into the backfield on one sweep, slowing down Josh Allen enough that newcomer Chris Clinton could come over and pick up the TFL.

Wide receiver Matt Goldberg showed some sticky hands, pulling in a pass on a rollout by Bobby Sheahin one-handed and then controlling it before going down for a 20-yard gain.

The defensive front seemed to be getting a good pass rush most of the morning.

Newcomer Josh Portis has made it clear already this spring that he could very well be the best running quarterback in Maryland history, but Sheahin showed a little something of his own in practice Tuesday. Also a transfer (WVU), Sheahin scrambled on one play, got into the secondary and turned outside for over a 20-yard gain that showed good speed and quickness.

Josh Wilson got in and blocked a field goal late in practice.

Team ended with Friedgen pushing them to run 100's.

Friedgen on Tuesday's outing: "I was a little disappointed today. I didn't think we practiced with the same intensity that we had been. After watching film from Sunday's practice, I was very pleased with how we flew around but we just didn't have that today. One thing that was good to see today was Stephon (Heyer) jumping in there and scrimmaging. It was real good to see that."

Thursday, April 13

The rain came to College Park, but left before the Terps took the field Thursday morning. Conditions were a little slick, but the team got through the session without any injuries that seemed significant. It was the last action before Saturday's full-scale scrimmage in Byrd Stadium (10:00 a.m., open to the public), the first of spring.

The team did get a few brief scares on the day with two of its most high-profile players who missed last season with injury. OT Stephon Heyer went down at one point when a player rolled him from behind, but he later got up and walked off an ankle injury. Later, TB Josh Allen seemed to injure his knee but also walked off the playing field at the end of the day, seemingly alright.

The Maryland defense was flying around and Isaiah Gardner had one of the best hits of the early part of practice, stopping Darrius Heyward-Bey in his tracks after the second-year receiver caught a quick slant.

Defensive tackle Conrad Bolston, now up over 300 pounds, continues to stand out in practice and appears headed for a strong senior season.

Before tweaking his knee, Josh Allen was running well. He rattled off a couple of nice 10-plus yard gains on consecutive runs, working inside on the first play and then taking an inside run to the outside on the next.

Trey Covington stripped a receiver on one play to the outside and newcomer Chris Clinton picked the ball up and raced down the sideline for what would have been a touchdown.

The media relations department and coaching staff were informed of some pretty amazing news as second-year offensive tackle Jared Gaither has been named to the Playboy preseason All-American team. Gaither will travel to Phoenix, Arizona, for the All-American weekend sponsored by the publication in mid-May.

After hearing it from Friedgen for fumbling about five plays earlier, freshman Morgan Green had a tough inside run for the Terps' first touchdown in goal line drills.

Friedgen on Thursday: "I thought we threw the ball well today, but we struggled a little in the running game." on Sam Hollenbach's progress: "I anticipate (Sam) playing very well this year. He is seeing coverage better, throwing the ball to the right spot and not throwing interceptions. He is playing much better than he did at the end of last year."

Spring Game on TV and Radio
This year's annual Red/White Game will be televised tape delay by ESPNU and it was learned this week that the game will also be carried on radio. The game, called by Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday, will be carried on WHFS 105.7 FM and may possibly be carried by several other Terrapin Radio Network affiliates.

Dates to Remember

April 15 -- Scrimmage #1 (10:00 a.m., Open to the Public, Byrd Stadium)

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

Chris Clinton

Phil Costa

Trey Covington

Isaiah Gardner

Matt Goldberg

Morgan Green

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Jeremy Navarre

Josh Portis

Dane Randolph

Bobby Sheahin

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