Terps Cap Off Practice Week
9/22/2011 8:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 22, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland completed its final football practice before the Temple game with a 90-minute workout Thursday afternoon.
The Terps (1-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) and Owls (2-1, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) are set to face off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday from Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.
"I thought that things are going well so far [this week]," head coach Randy Edsall said before Thursday's practice. "Hopefully [we can] beat the weather today from what they're calling for and go out and have a good day. But overall, I thought that things were going well this week and we're in good shape as we go into the game".
Edsall gave some personnel updates on his weekly call with reporters Thursday.
Linebacker Darin Drakeford is expected to return to the lineup after missing the West Virginia game. He recorded a career-high 14 tackles in the season-opening win over Miami.
"He's practiced both days this week and will practice again [Thursday]," Edsall said. "I feel very good that he'll be ready to go."
The Terps are hopeful to gain the services of defensive lineman Justin Anderson (foot) and offensive lineman Justin Gilbert (knee) later this season.
While he still has rehabilitation in front of him, Anderson has been out of his walking boot lately.
"I had a discussion with [Justin] two weeks ago and I just told him that we're planning on, that when they give him the clearance to go, that he needs to be mentally and physically in a state of mind to work and contribute," Edsall said. "I'm not thinking of redshirting him at all at this point in time."
Gilbert, the starter at left tackle at the beginning of last season, has been increasing his workload. He has participated in individual drills, but no team sessions during practice.
"I just let our trainers and doctors tell me what we can and can't do, they're the experts in that situation," Edsall said. "If the guys are cleared to go, we'll practice them and put them in a position and see if they can play. If not, we'll follow their orders."
In addition, sophomore Dave Stinebaugh had surgery on his shoulder Tuesday and is out the remainder of the season. He missed the final eight games of 2010 with a shoulder injury.
After trailing 24-3 in the first half of the West Virginia game, the Terps are hoping to get off to a better start against a Temple squad which possesses the 17th-ranked rusher in the FBS (Bernard Pierce - 115.7 yards per game) and the fourth-ranked scoring defense (8.0 points per game) in the land.
"It's not like you can just flip a switch and think you can turn it on," Edsall said. "That's why in terms of preparation, it's the whole key. You've got to prepare the right way during the week so that whatever time the ball is kicked off, I don't care if its kicked off at 6 o'clock in the morning, 10 o'clock in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, 8 at night, 10 at night, whenever that's kicked off, as a competitor, it's your responsibility to make sure that you go out there and play as hard as you can on each and every play. That's something I'm still trying to instill and still trying to get everyone to understand. How you get yourself to that point is through the preparation you have during the week of practice."
Terp Notes:
Scout Team Players of the Week: Each Thursday during the season Edsall will announce the scout team players of the week. This week's scout team players of the week are wide receiver Ronnie Tyler (offense), defensive back Undray Clark (defense) and wide receiver Tyrek Cheeseboro (special teams). Cheeseboro is the first multiple honoree of the season. He was the offensive scout team player of the week leading up to the Miami game.
Flag Bearers: Tony Logan (American) and Matt Robinson (Maryland) will carry out the flags during Saturday's introductions.
Inside Maryland Football: The second edition of Inside Maryland Football will air at 11 a.m. Saturday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The 30-minute coaches show goes behind the-scenes with the team. The first show is available on Terps TV Premium. The show airs each Saturday during the regular season (there was no show on Sept. 17) until Dec. 3.
