University of Maryland Athletics

Spring Football Practice Report #11 (Scrimmage #2)

Spring Football Practice Report #11 (Scrimmage #2)

  • Statistics -- Scrimmage #2

    April 17, 2004

    COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A solid crowd turned out at Byrd Stadium for today's final Maryland football scrimmage before next Saturday's annual Spring Game, and the Terrapin defense responded by turning up the pressure a notch as they threw more blitzes at the team's young quarterbacks than they had all spring. As it turned out, the result was beneficial for the offense and defense.

    The defense's benefit was obvious on the stat sheet -- three interceptions, two fumbles caused (one returned for a touchdown) and seven sacks. The offense gained valuable experience and performed well, most notably scoring a good amount in goal line situations. All in all, head coach Ralph Friedgen was again pleased with the progress.

    "Overall, I am not disappointed," said Friedgen. "I have seen worse scrimmages at this time (of year). I feel like we introduced two-minute and got a lot of situational work done. Can we get better? Yeah, we can. But have we gotten better? Yes, we have. It is a work in progress and I see us moving forward."

    Some notables on the sunny and clear Saturday afternoon included:

  • Cornerback Josh Wilson made a nice play, blindsiding TB J.P. Humber for a tackle behind the line. Humber later left the scrimmage with a separated shoulder.
  • The quarterbacks started slow (5 of their first 16) but got better as the day progressed. Joel Statham finished the day with the best numbers of the bunch, going 16-of-26 for 172 yards with a TD and two interceptions.
  • The first receiving touchdown of the day was a nice diving effort by WR Derrick Fenner in the corner of the end zone on a pass from Sam Hollenbach.
  • The overall catch of the day came on a 36-yard effort from Statham to Jo Jo Walker as Statham threaded the ball between two defenders and Walker came down with it falling backwards and out-of-bounds as he snuck one foot in.
  • Linebacker Wesley Jefferson had another nice day and finished with one of the defensive plays of the day as he drilled a tailback in the backfield, jarring the ball loose while CB Gerrick McPhearson scooped it up and ran about 80 yards the other way for the touchdown.

    Friedgen on the Air
    Friedgen will join a pair of local radio shows this week as he will be on the Sports Reporters on SportsTalk 980 AM Monday night from 7-9 p.m. for "Fridge Appreciation Day."

    On Wednesday, he will join Elliot in the Morning on 101.1 FM at approximately 7:15 a.m. to talk about the upcoming Spring Game, which takes place on Saturday the 24th at 4:00 p.m.

    Practice Date and Time Updates
    There have been several changes to the practice schedule of late. For updates as they happen, fans should go the Maryland Gridiron Network Website