Spring Football Practice Report #6

April 8, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After a couple of days of sun and fun, the cold, nasty weather returned to the Maryland football practice fields. And right on cue, the Terps attitude got nasty with it and a little more business-like in Thursday's session.

The same problems cropped up for the Terps in the form of fumbles and goal-line troubles on offense, but the atmosphere was great overall in today's practice. As with the other days the offense struggled, the team ran after practice, but head coach Ralph Friedgen still saw positive things to point to following conditioning as he met with local media.

"We had a good practice today for the most part aside from some mistakes, but as I've said, that is going to happen with a young team," said Friedgen. "We're not very good on the goal line offensively right now, the defense is much better. I think (today) was the first time since I have been here that the defense has won that goal-line scrimmage."

On the day, however, there was a lot of good hitting and some of the faces who have shined up to this point in spring drills continued to draw the eye of the coaching staff.

Some other happenings from Thursday's practice:

The Terps receiving tight ends again looked good, and the duo teamed up on one play. While senior Rob Abiamiri made a nice catch and ensuing run over the middle, sophomore Vernon Davis again drew the ire of the defense by lighting up redshirt freshman and fellow highly-touted 2003 recruit Wesley Jefferson. It was easily the hit of the day.

A few plays later, Sam Hollenbach hit Davis streaking down the right side of the field for a long touchdown.

Quarterback Joel Statham made a nice play running the option for the second day in a row, this time going about 40 yards.

WR Rich Parson had the second-biggest block of the day with a crackback on a linebacker and a few plays later, Jefferson made a nice leaping play in the middle of the field to break up a pass.

On the first goal line series, CB Gerrick McPhearson made a nice play, breaking up a pass intended for Derek Miller in the back of the end zone on fourth down.

Chris Kelley made another memorable play from his strong safety spot, running along the line and crushing J.P. Humber for a loss in goal line.

As he has been almost every day, Friedgen was pleased with the defense and mentioned how good he felt about one of the positions so many people had wondered about a year ago with the departure of three starters.

"I think the cornerbacks are playing very well," said Friedgen. "Josh Wilson is playing well, Domonique (Foxworth) has played very, very well and Reuben Haigler was playing good before he got hurt. Ray Custis has done a nice job at free safety and Chris Kelley has been a real big bonus for us so now we just need to start building depth at the position and get some guys to perform behind those guys."

Friedgen on Comcast
As he will be weekly during the spring, Coach Friedgen joined Comcast SportsNet on SportsNite tonight after practice. A replay of the interview usually takes place in the late SportsNite, which regularly airs at 10:00 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

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