Maryland Football Makes Final Preparations for Eastern Michigan
9/18/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 18, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Fresh off an upset of then-No.23 California last week, the Maryland football team has momentum on its side heading into Saturday's matchup with Eastern Michigan. But don't expect head coach Ralph Friedgen or his team to rest on their laurels.
The Terps (2-1) spent little time savoring their big win before returning to the practice field this week, emphasizing the need to make continued progress as they prepare to play host to the Eagles Saturday afternoon at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
"That's my theme right now - we have to play this week better than we played last week, regardless of who we play against," Friedgen said. "We have to keep on getting better, and that's how we'll have a good season."
Maryland conducted its final preparation for its Mid-American Conference foe during Thursday's session, closing out a strong week of practice. Having witnessed the Maryland defense's recent struggles against opponents who run a spread offense, Friedgen and his coaching staff employed tactics in practice this week designed specifically to improve this facet of the Terps' play.
Wednesday's practice featured the first-team defense facing 49 plays from two scout team offensive units during a 20-minute span, and the Terrapins anticipate Eastern Michigan (1-2) utilizing components of the spread offense Saturday.
"They were dragging by the end of practice, but I don't think we'll be caught off-guard by a fast-paced, no-huddle offense," Friedgen said of his defense.
Offensively, the Terps are hoping to have the services of running back Da'Rel Scott against the Eagles. Scott, who ranks first in the ACC and fifth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing (135.7 ypg), injured his shoulder against Cal and saw limited practice time this week.
Scott currently is listed as questionable for Saturday's game. If he is unable to play, fellow running backs Davin Meggett, Morgan Green, Cory Jackson, Dan Bonato and Rashad Henry will be expected to handle the bulk of the carries versus the Eagles.
The running game, however, was not called upon near the conclusion of Thursday's practice. During the first play of the two-minute drill portion of the session, quarterback Chris Turner connected with wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 60-yard touchdown strike. Fellow signal-caller Josh Portis followed by orchestrating a seven-play, 42-yard drive that culminated with a short field goal conversion.
Place-kicker Obi Egekeze closed out practice by splitting the uprights with a 33-yard field goal.
"He's kicked very well this week," Friedgen said. "To me, he was trying to guide the ball through instead of kicking it (earlier this season), even in practice. I told him, `just kick the darn thing', and he's done that."
Following practice, Friedgen announced the captains for Saturday's game. Offensive lineman Phil Costa, linebacker Moise Fokou and wide receiver Danny Oquendo, who also serves as the team's primary punt returner, will represent the Terps offensive, defense and special teams' units, respectively.
Friedgen also named wide receiver Quinton McCree and linebacker Hakeem Sule his scout team players of the week for their performance in practice leading up to the matchup with the Eagles.
Tight end Dan Gronkowski will carry the American flag onto the field Saturday, and defensive lineman Dean Muhtadi, a local player from Alexandria, Va., will bring the Maryland flag. The Terps started the practice of carrying the flags onto the field at the beginning of the season.
Kickoff for Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan is set for 1 p.m. at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.
The game will not be telecast over the air, but it will be streamed live on ESPN360. It can also be heard over the Terrapin Sports Radio Network.
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will replay the game at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Terp Notes:
Special Guest: The Maryland football team invited Cole Grey Sterry, 7, of West Friendship, Md., to be its guest of honor during practice Thursday afternoon. Cole, a cancer patient at John Hopkins Hospital, spent the afternoon meeting his favorite Terps and participating in various portions of practice while adorning Maryland football attire. He partook in pre-practice warm-ups, and led the chant during the post-practice team huddle. The son of Melanie and Wade Sterry, Cole was named after Cole Field House, formerly home of the University of Maryland's basketball teams. Said Melanie Sterry of her son's dream-come-true afternoon: "After weeks of chemotherapy and radiation and transfusions, this was a beautiful way to keep his spirits up."
