Nearly six weeks after spring practicebegan in the sleet in early March, Marylands players took the next step toward the 2015 season with its annual Red-White spring game on Saturday at Byrd Stadium. Terrapins wide receiver Marcus Leak stole the show on a warm and cloudless afternoon, catching three first half touchdownsto lead Red to a 21-16 win.Heres a rundown of other story lines that unraveled: <\/p>\n
1. Both Shane Cockerille and Perry Hills were largely inconsistent on Saturday, although Hills showed flashes in the first half. He made a number of crisp throws to Leak, who finished with six catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns, as well asDeAndre Lane (four catches, 63 yards). Cockerille, who took a majority of the first team snaps all spring, had just five completions on 20 attempts and was picked off once by junior Will Likely. He was also sacked four times. <\/p>\n
The complexion of the position will change considerably come August, when senior Caleb Rowe returns from ACL rehabilitation. Rowe is expected to start next fall, although Hills said Saturday hell do everything in his power to win the job. You have to go in with the mindset that youre going to change it. If you dont, youre just going to lay back and let someone have the job that you want, said Hills. <\/p>\n
2. Yannick Ngakoue had to answer questions earlier this spring about how he would adjust from being a hybrid outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme to more traditional defensive end in a 4-3 system, but he looked dominant Saturday. He was more explosive off the ball and gave left tackle Mike Minter problems all afternoon, hurrying first-team quarterback Cockerille often and recording three sacks. I like it a lot. I like putting my hand in the dirt and being explosive. Better than standing up, Ngakoue said. <\/p>\n
3. Former Westlake star Antwaine Carter turned some heads from both his post at cornerback and one special teams on Saturday. On the second possession of the day, he read Hills eyes perfectly on an out-route and jumped it for an interception that ended a potential scoring drive. Later in the second quarter, he ran around the edge to block a field goal then opened the second half with a tackle for loss after blowing up a bubble screen. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Carter has a long, athletic frame and had a solid spring after moving from safety to corner (he made an acrobatic interception in traffic during last Saturdays scrimmage) and if he continues to progress, could give Marylands secondary more depth in 2015. I was just out there having fun, Carter said. I understand our playbook and I came out and executed. <\/p>\n
4.Aside from senior kicker Brad Craddock hitting a 50-yard field goal in the first half, Marylands kicking game was wildly inconsistent Saturday. Both Lee Shrader and Nicholas Pritchard struggled with the windy conditions in College Park (each kicked six times and had a combined three punts that landed inside the 20-yard line). Maryland also had a field goal blocked and another botched extra point late in the second half. <\/p>\n
Edsall noted that 2015 signee Nick Rubinowicz would compete for the starting punting role when he arrives this summer, but ultimately the team needs more consistent production at the position. I didnt think that those guys got the ball turned over enough when we were kicking with the wind, Edsall said of Shrader and Pritchard. Again, well have another young man, Nick [Rubinowicz] coming in and competing. Again, all those things will be decided. Im happy with spring in terms of how it went and what we were able to get accomplished. <\/p>\n
5. Senior running back Brandon Ross, who finished with 102 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, said Saturday he could feel the offensive line making strides as a physical unit that is accomplishing more push up front. Maryland has had a number of injuries on the front, including tackles Michael Dunn (back) and Derwin Gray (labrum), but it also had a number of players who put forth productive spring performances including seniors Ryan Doyle and Evan Mulrooney, as well as redshirt freshmen Damian Prince and Brendan Moore. Both the Red and White teams ran the ball well Saturday (Albert Reid led Red with 73 yards on 16 carries, While Jacquille Veii backed up Ross and had 45 yards on 10 carries. <\/p>\n
Gray had successful surgery on Friday and is expected to be back in the fold by August. Edsall said no other players were injured during Saturdays scrimmage. <\/p>\n
Roman Stubbs covers the University of Maryland athletics for The Washington Post. <\/p>\n
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Terps Insider: 5 takeaways from Marylands Red-White spring game<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nearly six weeks after spring practicebegan in the sleet in early March, Marylands players took the next step toward the 2015 season with its annual Red-White spring game on Saturday at Byrd Stadium. Continue reading