Here are some of Maryland football coach Randy Edsall's thoughts on how the team performed Saturday in the Red-White game and throughout the spring:
On the play of rising redshirt junior Perry Hills and rising redshirt sophomore Shane Cockerille (Gilman), who struggled under center this spring. Rising redshirt junior Caleb Rowe, who has been out while recovering from a second torn anterior cruciate ligament, is expected to start in the fall. Cockerille struggled Saturday, going 5-for-20 for 102 yards and an interception.
"Very inconsistent. There were some things that they did well, but then we had some open receivers that we missed on and some throws that we needed to make, and we hung onto the ball a little bit too long. Again, we have a lot of work to do with both of them. I thought they made progress this spring, but I think we've got to to be more consistent and more exact with the things that we're doing."
On the play of the defense, which is switching from a 3-4 alignment to a 4-3 while replacing seven starters under new defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski.
"I'm very pleased with our defense in what they've been able to do this spring. They understand what we're doing; they're executing it really well. They had that one long run against them [a 56-yard run by Brandon Ross], but they were experimenting and a guy took the wrong gap. But as we add guys to the puzzle I think we have a chance to be really good on defense."
On a rotation of running backs led by Ross, who rushed 13 times for 102 yards and a touchdown, as well as Albert Reid (16 for 73 yards) and Jaquille Veii (10 for 45).
"There's always competition at running back with Brandon, Albert and Jacquille, and we'll get Wes [Brown] back in the fall. We'll have good competition. We'll have guys that can come in and make things happen. Jaquille is a guy who is very talented. He's got to understand that you don't always have to make the big play. I love his desire. I love his passion. I love what he does out there."
On a kicking game that has Lou Groza Award winner Brad Craddock at kicker and question marks at punter. Lee Shrader had six punts for 246 yards, an average of 41, while Nicholas Pritchard struggled, finishing with six punts for 176 yards (29.3).
"I saw Brad kick a 50-yarder, which didn't surprise me. I thought the kicking was inconsistent. I know it was a tough wind when you're going into it, but I didn't think those guys got the ball turned over enough when we were kicking with the wind. We'll have another young man, Nick [Rubinowicz], coming in, and those things will be decided."