Maryland Preseason Football Camp Log: Day 18
8/23/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 23, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team broke camp Saturday evening following its final practice of the 2008 preseason.
Having completed the grueling test of enduring two dozen practices in a span of 20 days, the team huddled at the center of the field following Saturday's session with players who attended each of the workouts receiving motivational t-shirts from head coach Ralph Friedgen.
The players have the day off Sunday before commencing a regular game-week schedule Monday in preparation for the season opener against Delaware a week from today at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
Saturday's practice saw the team continue to implement portions of its game plan for the Blue Hens.
"I'm anxious to see how people are going to attack us," Friedgen said. "I think they'll try to reduce us, and try to get seven guys in (in the box). I think people will take an approach where they try to pass on us first and run on us second."
Wide receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey and Isaiah Williams capped camp by hauling in consecutive 40-yard completions from quarterback Jordan Steffy during a one-on-one drill with defensive backs.
The full-team portion of practice, however, belonged to the defense, as that unit featured blitz-oriented schemes that put tremendous pressure on its offensive counterpart. Linebackers Rick Costa, Trey Covington and Alex Wujciak, as well as defensive lineman Deege Galt, each registered sacks during the session.
"I know this, our offense is happy they're not seeing a whole lot of [Maryland's defense] anymore," Friedgen said. "I don't really think we have [the defense] perfected the way I want to have it, but we're working on it. Some days it's really good and some days we've got to get better at it. I'm anxious to see how we do once the season is underway. I'm anxious to see how we turn out."
Like their coach, members of the Terrapins football team are anxious to get the 2008 campaign underway. They return to the practice field Monday afternoon to continue preparation for the season opener.
Terp Notes:
Bemi on Scholarship: Ralph Friedgen announced after practice that Olugbemi Otulaja has been placed on scholarship. The 6-foot, 285-pound senior, known as Bemi by his teammates, has steadily risen up the depth chart since last season and finds himself in position to start in the season opener at nose tackle. He played in five games, all in reserve, in 2007 and has consistently graded out as one of the team's strongest players since transferring from Marist prior to the 2006 campaign.
Football Tickets on Sale: Season tickets for this fall's seven-game home slate start as low as $189 and are on sale through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office. Single-game tickets are also on sale. To purchase season or single-game tickets, call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here. The Terps open the season on Saturday, Aug. 30 (3:45 p.m.) when they play host to Delaware.
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.
