Terrapins

Despite a thumb injury suffered late in the season, redshirt freshman Gerry Spessard still enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the University of Maryland baseball team. The Smithsburg High School graduate played first base for the Terrapins and finished with a .259 batting average ? including a club leading five triples. The five triples were second best in the Atlantic Coast Conference and also tied a Maryland team record. The 20-year-old athlete was eyeing an even better campaign, though, and was above the .300 mark until getting plunked by a Sam Walls pitch during an Easter Sunday contest against ACC rival North Carolina State.

Maryland was banking on its savings account. The Terrapins men's basketball team figured it had a nice little nest egg of respect built up after all the years of success it had enjoyed under coach Gary Williams. But when it came down to it, Maryland's respect check bounced. It's no secret that Maryland's men's basketball team was upset by being bypassed for an NCAA Tournament bid. In fact, the Terrapins wore their pouts on their sleeves (they would have if their shirts had any)

LAHAINA, Hawaii - Maryland may have been playing for fifth place in the EA Sports Maui Invitational but coach Gary Williams wouldn't let his team think that way. "I told them they had to shake off they were in a consolation situation. I told them they were playing great," he said. It worked. Ekene Ibekwe had 16 points and Chris McCray added 15 and No. 23 Maryland beat Arkansas 75-62 on Wednesday to finish fifth in the eight-team tournament. The Terrapins (3-1)

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sometimes perfect isn't perfect. In another time, another place, University of Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen would be ecstatic about the progression of the Terrapins this season. Words like "progress," "improving," "playing hard," "proud" and "effort" dotted Friedgen's comments when speaking about the team during his weekly media conference. Many coaches would give their practice whistle to say all those glowing comments.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Milton Harris is a product of guidance and direction. Listening to both influences has made him the person and the football player he is today. When it comes to direction, the University of Maryland defensive back has looked to his parents, his cousin - former Maryland defensive back Madieu Williams - and coach Ralph Friedgen. It has turned Harris from walk-on transfer into impact starter in the Terrapins' secondary. But when it comes to direction, Harris gets his game plan from a higher power.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Stephon Heyer started what could be a long winning streak for the University of Maryland football team. The 6-foot-7 senior offensive left tackle hasn't played a snap in the 2005 season, yet he has taken steps to become a cornerstone for the Terrapins in the future. After spending this entire season sidelined by a torn ACL in his left knee, Heyer had entertained ending his college career and possibly making a run at an NFL career.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The marathon is turning into a dash for the finish. Many a coach have compared a season to a long journey to an inevitable finish. Each game becomes a mile marker along the way. For the University of Maryland football team, the first eight markers have been like stop-and-go traffic. Speed up and hit the brake. Speed up and hit the brake. It has become time to hit the passing lane. The Terrapins are one of three Atlantic Coast Conference teams owning a 4-4 record this season.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In the grand scheme of things, casual fans write off Adam Podlesh's importance to the University of Maryland's game plan. He doesn't throw passes, nor does he catch them. He doesn't run with the ball either. Scoring touchdowns? There would have to be a huge mistake if he is running for the end zone with the ball tucked under his arm. For Podlesh, Maryland practice is boot camp. His job is punting the ball whenever a Terrapins drive stalls.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - It was time to cue the scary music. There were a little more than eight minutes remaining in the game. The University of Maryland football team was leading was close to the lead. And then suddenly, the defense hit the Twilight Zone. The doors flew off the bus as if it were spinning in the Wizard of Oz's tornado. It happened against Clemson in Week 2 of the season and again against West Virginia in Week 3. But Saturday, in Week 5 against Virginia, Maryland answered the bell and locked the doors.

bobp@herald-mail.com COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Ralph Friedgen and the University of Maryland football team say they know what it takes to be a good football team. The only problem is their point of reference is opposite of everything they have been doing to date. It was wrong ... all wrong ... for the Terps in their 31-19 loss to West Virginia on Saturday. The defense was porous. The offense was stagnant. And the process was nothing like Friedgen has seen since he has been at Maryland.