Spring Practice Report No. 5

April 17, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is a report from the University of Maryland practice session from April 15th, practice eight and the first scrimmage of spring for the Terrapin 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 15

Stats, Scrimmage #1

The Terps hit the Byrd Stadium turf for the first time this spring, working on a perfect afternoon in front of a crowd of around 200 spectators. In a scrimmage originally slated for 120 plays, the team worked a grueling 143 plays with the practice lasting a good three hours.

The Terps got in work on offense and defense, red zone, goal line, field goals and punt returns.

The offense started off working out of its own end and had a hard time getting going as the defense applied pressure in both the run and passing games. Early on, both Sam Hollenbach and Jordan Steffy struggled a bit while players like Conrad Bolston, Rob Armstrong, Erin Henderson and Josh Wilson excelled on defense.

Wilson and Hunter Reddick each had interceptions for the defense early. Wilson also had a pass breakup on a pass to the sideline.

The first big play of the scrimmage was a 75-yard catch and run by Drew Weatherly. Weatherly caught a ball from Steffy down the right sideline and raced 75 yards, eluding at least two defenders on the run. It was a play unlike nearly any Weatherly has had in his previous three years with the Terps and something that suggests the senior's hard work leading into his final season in College Park will help it be his finest.

The offense got things cranked up later in the practice session when the ball was placed on the 50 yard line. On the first play from the 50, Hollenbach hit Darrius Heyward-Bey in stride down the right side with the second-year receiver outrunning everyone to the end zone. Heyward-Bey unquestionably has speed like few have had at Maryland.

On the next play from the 50, Hollenbach again connected for a ball over 40 yards to Heyward-Bey. "Hey-Bey" finished the day as the Terps' leading receiver with five receptions for a whopping 114 yards and a TD.

Steffy had one of the more impressive days, if only for his perseverance. After starting 1-of-6 with a pair of interceptions, Steffy completed 10 of his final 13 passes with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Josh Portis was also impressive in his limited action, completing 2-of-3 passes while running very well. He is a north-south runner and gets through the defense very quickly.

The placekicking battle was likely a draw on the day with Dan Ennis going 3-of-5 on field goals with a long of 47 and Obi Egekeze going 3-of-6 with the same long kick of 47.

First-year starter at "Mike" linebacker Wesley Jefferson finished the day with eight tackles, tops among all defenders. Defensive tackle Conrad Bolston was impressive rushing the passer, finishing with three sacks.

Friedgen on the scrimmage: "I was looking at this scrimmage to see what kind of toughness we have -- what kind of mental toughness -- because I am going to go to war with those guys. I am not going to fool around with the other guys. I am glad this was a tough, hard-nosed scrimmage. Every time we scrimmage it's going to be tough, to get mentally tough and physically tough."

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 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

Obi Egekeze

Erin Henderson

Darrius Heyward-Bey

Josh Portis

Jordan Steffy

Footer