Spring Football Practice Report No. 7

April 24, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following are reports from the University of Maryland campus from April 22nd to the 24th, practices 11 and 12 in a spring session of 15 outings for the Terp football team. The final report of this spring will run this Thursday as the Terrapins close spring with the annual Red/White game this Saturday, April 29th (3:00 p.m., 105.7 WHFS).

Saturday, April 22

The Terps' regularly-scheduled practice session was rained out and the week's scrimmage moved to Sunday at Byrd Stadium. The 12th practice session was rescheduled for Monday at 4:45 p.m.

Sunday, April 23

Scrimmage Stats

The Terps took to the Byrd Stadium turf, a full day-and-a-half of rain behind them. Though soggy, the field held up well for what was about a 120-play scrimmage.

Cornerback Kevin Barnes had a good day both stopping the run and in pass coverage. On one play, freshman Morgan Green had gone for five yards and appeared headed for a big gain and Barnes came up quickly, stopping Green in his tracks on one of the better hits of the day.

The first touchdown of the afternoon saw the offense give a little bit back to the defense. Tailback Lance Ball scored on a 12-yard run where he blasted Christian Varner after about a five yard gain then strolled in for the score.

Mack Frost made a nice read from his end position to bat a screen pass from Jordan Steffy down. The play, intended for J.P. Humber, was nearly completed when Frost came close to intercepting the pass but was not able to convert what would have been an interesting return for the lineman.

Both starting cornerbacks were hurt in the scrimmage with Josh Wilson (knee) and Isaiah Gardner (groin) going down. Gardner ended up walking off at the end of the day, seemingly fine, while Wilson was to be taken to get an MRI on Monday with OT Zach Marshall, who also hurt his knee.

While the going was tough at times for the backs in the run-heavy practice session, J.P. Humber was running downhill in a situation where the offense was trying to kill the clock. Humber used his size and speed and once given an opening and a head of steam, he plowed ahead for big gains even though the defense was expecting the run.

Friedgen on the Sunday scrimmage: "I thought defense played pretty well. Obviously, defense is way ahead of the offense. We're still making too many mistakes in the offense and until that stops were going to have trouble moving the football. It always takes a little while for the offense to catch up, but I know there were situations I looked at from the sideline that I thought should have a chance to be a good play and they weren't. So I have to see what we are doing wrong."

Monday, April 24

The team got in practice number 12, a make-up of Saturday's rain out, by getting in a good bit of work in shorts and shells.

Most of the evening was spent in learning situations with a good deal of position drills and some team toward the end.

Isaiah Gardner returned to practice a day after re-injuring his groin while Josh Wilson and Zach Marshall each showed up and immediately put on the orange pinneys of injured players. Both players had MRIs earlier in the day and though results were not available, Friedgen said that it looked like Wilson would be fine. The most experienced Terp defensive back, his playing in the spring game, though possible, is not a necessity. "I know what Josh can do," stated Friedgen.

Christian Varner had an impressive interception in team drills, picking off a ball deflected right in front of him by Isaiah Williams.

Friedgen on the his review of the Sunday scrimmage: "I think J.P. Humber ran well. Kevin Barnes had the best scrimmage he has had since he has been here and Jeremy Navarre is playing very, very well." On where the team is overall: "Where are we at this point? Probably where we thought we would be or maybe a little ahead. Offensively, we need to get up to speed with the receivers. Defensively, I think we have a chance to be pretty good."

Spring Game TV Air Time Set
This year's spring game will be aired tape delay by ESPNU, a first for the Terrapins. The game will air Sunday, April 30, at 3:00 p.m.

The game, called by Voice of the Terps Johnny Holliday, will also be carried on WHFS 105.7 FM and may possibly be carried by several other Terrapin Radio Network affiliates as well as WMUC, the student radio station (www.wmucsports.com).

Dates to Remember

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

May 6 -- 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

Kevin Barnes

Mack Frost

Isaiah Gardner

Morgan Green

Jeremy Navarre

Jordan Steffy

Christian Varner

Isaiah Williams

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