University of Maryland Athletics

Spring Football Practice Report No. 1

Spring Football Practice Report No. 1

April 4, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The following is the first installment of bi-weekly practice reports on the University of Maryland football team as it progresses through spring practice, 2005. Reports will run every Monday and Friday leading up to the April 30th Red/White Game at Byrd Stadium.

Saturday, April 2

  • The Terps kicked off spring ball at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and it looked like the team would be able to make it through the overcast day unscathed. About an hour-and-a-half in, however, a hard rain dropped on the team, forcing it to head inside and move mid-practice to the indoor facility. The final hour was finished and the team got in everything it had scheduled for the day with the exception of kicking that was scheduled late in practice.
  • As head coach Ralph Friedgen had reported at his annual press luncheon a day earlier, the entusiasm of the team was noticeably high.
  • Focus in the first two days -- because the team is not in pads -- has been on the mental aspect. And though Friedgen has noted certain players standing out, he has continually reminded the press that everything changes when the players don their pads.
  • Friedgen on the quarterbacks in Saturday's session: "Their decision-making was good and they knew where to throw the ball which, at this point, is pretty good. But we need to throw the ball better than we did today. I am sure the weather played a factor, but we need to get better."

    Sunday, April 3

  • The football gods were kind enough to keep the Terps dry on Sunday, but it was a cold, gusty and overcast day for the team as it took to the field for the second time in shorts.
  • The team started at 2:30 p.m. and put in a good three hours of work before calling it a day.
  • Despite the uncomfortable conditions, a large group of die-hard fans turned out for Sunday's practice.
  • The team remained enthusiastic in day two, with the first few scuffles of spring breaking out. Friedgen liked seeing the enthusiasm but stressed players keeping their heads as they would in a game situation, avoiding personal fouls.
  • Second-year defensive end Trey Covington stood out, showing the pass-rushing skills that made him one of the higher-rated players in the country out of Eleanor Roosevelt High School in 2003.
  • Friedgen discussed possible shuffling on the offensive line after practice, but not for the reasons normally considered. He praised the work of young players like Brandon Nixon and Scott Burley and with the duo at the same position, he stated that ultimately, he would want the five best players on the field. The Terps' offensive line is young this year, but will be a position of strength in the coming years.
  • Andrew "Duey" Schmitt, brother of recently-graduated center Kyle Schmitt, has worked his way into the race at long snapper and will now focus on the position rather than work there and safety.
  • Friedgen on who stood out Sunday: I thought Sam (Hollenbach) and Jordan (Steffy) threw the ball better today, but with the wind it was a tough day to gauge. At tailback, Mario (Merrills) and Keon (Lattimore) did some nice things today while Kevin Barnes -- though he got a little dinged up -- has stood out on defense."

    Dates to Remember

  • Sat., April 16 (10 am) -- Scrimmage #1
  • Sat., April 23 (10 am) -- Scrimmage #2
  • Sat., April 30 (4 pm) -- Annual Spring Game
  • For schedule updates and other info, go to the Maryland Gridiron Network website.
  • For ticket information, call the Terrapin ticker office at (800) IMA-TERP