Curry on the Cal Game

If you have been listening in on the Steak Crab and Curry Show then you know all three of us talk about the fact that the Terps always play to the level of their competition. Saturday's game against California was no exception as the Terrapins beat the Golden Bears 35-27. Maybe it was the noon game time (which is 9 am in California) or maybe it was just a good team finally finding their identity; either way the Terps looked good taking care of the 23rd ranked team in the nation. Maryland's two running backs Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggit chewed up the Cal defense for 169 yards and 3 td's. Chris Turner who threw 3 picks against Middle Tennessee State last weekend did not commit a turnover on Saturday while going 15/19 passing with 156 yds and a td. But it was the Maryland defense that really surprised people including myself. They held RB Jahvid Best to just 25 yards rushing after he ran for 311 yds in Cal's first two games. They also sacked QB Kevin Riley 5 times and forced him to throw an interception.

I cant be happier for the players and coaches of this team especially after the dissapointing loss to Middle Tennesse last weekend. This just goes to show that we have a very tough team that is willing to go toe to toe with anyone in the country. With a balanced offense that doesnt turn the ball over and a defense forcing turnovers and sacks I really feel that the Terps have a good chance of being ACC Champs. One thing that has been worrying me is our kicking game. Egekeze has not made a field goal all year and when the Terps get to conference play, every point counts and could be the difference between win and a loss. I don't know who Coach Friedgen can turn to for field goals; maybe a soccer player on the bench or someone else but this needs to be taken care of asap.

Im looking forward to the game on Saturday against Eastern Carolina because it gives Maryland a chance to build off of this past weekends win. For once in my collegiate career I want to see our football team absolutely decimate an opponent; blow them out of the water by 50 points. Saturday will give us an opportunity to do just that and hopefully our team is up for the challenge.

As always...GO TERPS

Da'Rel Scott and Coach Friedgen

Note: Game reactions to the CAL game to come. Sorry for the lack of posts recently. We will up the ante shortly.

Some news to pass along to begin with, Da'Rel Scott is listed as questionable for the upcoming tilt with Eastern Michigan. Scott has a sprained AC Joint in his shoulder and will be limited to non-contact drills this week leading up to the game. Against CAL, Scott ran 19 times for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns. Scott has been the anchor of the offense early on in the season and will counted on for the rest of the season.

Coach Ralph Friedgen also did admit that he is considering a kicking change, with Obi Egekeze 0 for 5 so far, Friedgen will look at other options.




Coach Friedgen on Sportscenter this past weekend.

Terps Open Up Football Season

Tomorrow, Monday, the Terps will open up the preseason camp at 4:15 EST PM. The Terps will embark on a 3-way grueling schedule that will lead up to the home opener against Delaware on August 30th.

The Terps will first and foremost need to take care of the QB issue. Who will start week 1, Jordan Steffy or Chris Turner? Or perhaps Josh Portis??

The Terps seem to be set on using Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green at running back to split the duties and will have All-ACC candidate Darrius Heyward-Bey to anchor the passing game. An experienced offensive line will return to protect whoever the quarterback may be. It will also be interesting to see how the addition of offensive coordinator James Franklin will factor into the attack.

Here are some preseason predictions and accolades that UMTerps.com has gathered:

Maryland Preseason Rankings/Honors
Team
National Rankings:
34th...Lindy's
42nd...Athlon

ACC Predictions:
4th/Atlantic...Athlon
4th/Atlantic...Lindy's
5th/Atlantic...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
6th/Atlantic...The Sporting News

Unit Rankings:
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Athlon
1st-ranked OL in the ACC...Lindy's
2nd-ranked Special Teams in the ACC...Lindy's
4th-ranked LBs in the ACC...Athlon

Individual
Scott Burley, #77, Offensive Lineman
Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Darrius Heyward-Bey, #8, Wide Receiver
Honorable Mention All-America...The Sporting News
Fastest Receiver in ACC...The Sporting News
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon• Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's
16th-ranked WR in Nation...Lindy's

Dave Philistin, #34, Linebacker
Nagurski Trophy watch list
Butkus Award Candidate...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
11th-ranked ILB in Nation...Lindy's
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon

Jaimie Thomas, #76, Offensive Lineman
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon
Second Team All-ACC...Lindy's

Edwin Williams, #60, Offensive Lineman
Rimington Trophy watch list
Preseason All-ACC...Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA)
All-ACC...The Sporting News
First Team All-ACC...Lindy's
First Team All-ACC...Blue Ribbon Yearbook
Second Team All-ACC...Athlon

Q & A with Da'rel Scott

The University of Maryland recently ran a question and answer with Terp's Running Back Da'Rel Scott. The article can be found here.

What did you learn from playing with former Maryland running backs Lance
Ball and Keon Lattimore?
"I learned a lot of things. They helped me mature
with my footsteps, with seeing the holes and just staying in the game. They
helped me with being mentally ready because it's a big jump from high school to
here."


What have you been up to this summer?
"Just working out. I'm trying
to get my legs stronger. I've been taking classes, too. My anatomy class is
killing me. This past summer session was pretty much all about my summer
classes."


Walk us through your daily routine.
"I wake up, go to my lab for my
anatomy class, work out, go back to anatomy class, then I have to work out
again. I had to split up my workouts because of class, since it's pretty much
two classes. It's four credits with the lab and the class."


How are workouts going this summer?
"They're going really well. I'm
just trying to get better. I'm just working out with the team and trying to make
them better as well."


Are there any games you are looking forward to in particular?
"All of
them."


Would you say that the summer schedule is easier or harder than the fall
schedule?
"I think it's harder now because it's a lot more aggressive now
because we're trying to get better. During the season, we're maintaining."


How have things changed under the new offensive coordinator, James
Franklin?
"Things are going really well. I have a good relationship with him
because he recruited me when I was in high school. He's made a good amount of
changes. The running style is different. I like this style a lot better because
we run a lot of off-tackle stuff. Since I'm an outside running back, it's more
my style."




Upcoming key dates:

Aug. 2 - Freshmen report to campus

Aug. 3 - Varsity reports to campus

Aug. 4 - Football preseason camp opens/Media Day

Aug. 30 - Season opener vs. Delaware