Personnel Changes Coming Up? (Skinner, Egekeze)

You've probably heard Fridge hint toward possible personnel changes on the horizon. Even though he's said he's likely going to keep almost everything the same, I doubt he can maintain the same starting lineup after a loss like last week. Here's a quick excerpt from my hometown paper:

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday he is considering personnel changes before Saturday's home game with No. 23 California. The Terrapins (1-1) did little right in last week's 24-14 loss at Middle Tennessee State, which dressed only 67 players.

Quarterback Chris Turner threw three interceptions in his first start in place of injured Jordan Steffy, and the defense allowed 402 yards.

Friedgen didn't specify which positions were up for grabs, but offensive coordinator James Franklin told reporters that aside from senior center Edwin Williams, "no one's job is in stone."

"Some of our guys sometimes think because they are seniors or because they [were] starters last year, it's their job. That's not reality," he said. " No one is above the law."

And there does appear to be changes upcoming. The first one is simply a replacement for an injury; Antwine Perez will step in for Terrell Skinner this week after a high ankle sprain. It'll be interesting to see how Perez fares, but losing Skinner is a bit of a disappointment - he was one of the few guys on the defense playing like they were supposed to.

As for Obi Egekeze: he's not safe, nor should he be. He's really taken the wind out of the Terps' sails several times in the past two games with missed kicks. So far, he's 0-4 this year. I'm sorry, it's unacceptable. Sophomore transfer Nick Wallace is apparently giving him a run for his money.

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen indicated that kicker Nick Wallace, who played his freshman season at Indiana (Pa.) University, could be used soon.

"Wallace is making a move, so we'll see," the coach said.

Wallace is relatively inexperienced, and was only 11-13 with a long of 40 at Indiana (Pa.) his freshman year. (But hey - he's from my hometown, and my alma mater just beat his by a lot, so that's good.) As long as he can make one field goal, he's an improvement.