Maryland Preseason Football Camp Log: Day 17
8/22/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 22, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With 23 preseason practice sessions having come and gone, the University of Maryland football team shifted gears Friday afternoon and began to focus on the next task at hand.
The second-to-last day of preseason camp also served as the first day of game planning for the season opener against Delaware, as the coaching staff introduced the team to the opponent who will visit Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium eight days from now.
Head coach Ralph Friedgen and his staff have done their homework on the Blue Hens and know the challenge awaiting the Terrapins on Aug. 30.
"This is a good football team we're going to play," Friedgen said. "We better be ready to play or we're going to have some trouble.
"They've got eight starters back on defense. They've got a couple more transfers - I think they have 14 transfers from Division I schools. Offensively, they have three good running backs. They have a very good center and a couple good wideouts. The question for them right now is, where are they at quarterback?"
Throughout the first three weeks of preseason practices, Maryland has answered a fair number of questions of its own, and several standout performers from camp continued to impress during Friday's 90-minute practice.
Redshirt sophomore Da'Rel Scott, who has used camp to cement himself as the No. 1 running back, broke through to the outside for another long gain.
Across the line of scrimmage, senior Jeremy Navarre, who during the off-season shifted from defensive end to defensive tackle, continued to serve as a menace to the offense at his new position by making his presence felt during the workout.
An earlier portion of the shortened practice featured offensive coordinator/assistant head coach James Franklin tossing blocking pads at wide receivers as they attempted to catch passes in an effort to disrupt their concentration. The effect did little to prevent wideout Isaiah Williams from hauling in a pass from quarterback Jordan Steffy, prompting Franklin to commend the 6-foot-4 Williams' ability to focus on the ball.
Friedgen rewarded the players' hard work in camp by treating them to a movie Thursday night. The team got a private screening of The Express, a story about former Syracuse All-American Ernie Davis who was the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
The Terps also slept in Friday morning and reaped the benefits of Friedgen's gestures during Friday's practice.
"They went out and had a lot of life in practice today, so maybe it was good for them," Friedgen said. "It broke the routine a little bit."
A different type of routine commences next week, as the Terrapins begin normal game-week activities. The team will break camp following Saturday afternoon's practice and have Sunday off before continuing preparation for Delaware on Monday.
Terp Notes:
Friedgen Radio Show Begins Wednesday: The Ralph Friedgen Radio Show begins Wednesday and airs weekly throughout the season. The one-hour show begins at 8 p.m. on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network. Friedgen and Voice of the Terrapins Johnny Holliday will be on the air taking phone calls from fans and discussing the season. Terp fans can call into the show by dialing 1-800-518-4012 or may submit a question on-line. The show airs before a live audience at Outback Steakhouse in Aspen Hill. Fans who can't make the show can listen on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network, which includes 105.7 FM (WHFS) - Baltimore (Flagship); ESPN Radio 1300 AM (WJFK) - Baltimore (Flagship); WJFK 106.7 FM - Washington D.C.; WCEM AM 1240 - Cambridge; WBEY 97.9 FM - Crisfield; WGOP AM 540 - Crisfield; WTBO AM 1450 - Cumberland; WFMD AM 930 - Frederick; WARK AM 1490 - Hagerstown; WVMD 99.5 FM - Midland; WMSG AM 1050 - Oakland; WQMR FM 101.1 - Ocean City; WTGM AM 960 - Salisbury. Click here to Listen Live on-line.
Breakfast with the Fridge Set for Friday: As he has done over the past few years, Ralph Friedgen will hold a `Breakfast with the Fridge' event twice during the regular season. The eighth-year head coach will visit with Terp fans Friday, one day prior to the team's season opener, and on Friday, Oct. 24. Both events are free and will take place at the Inn & Conference Center on the University of Maryland campus. Each event begins at 7:00 a.m. with a free continental breakfast. Friedgen will address the crowd from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. when he'll discuss preseason camp and the season opener vs. Delaware. His second `Breakfast with the Fridge' event leads into the Homecoming game vs. NC State.
