Kirk Ciarrocca
- Over the bye week, the team was focused ont he fundamentals. The details have come a long way since spring practice.
- Wishes he had Conor Rhoda four years ago. Loves his attitude.
- Maryland is active on defense and the best defense they'll face yet.
- He's looking for "commitment without exception" from the wide receivers and thinks they've done a great job. There are a lot of balls hitting the turn in practice now than at the beginning of the season.
- Not at all surprised by Kobe McCrary's performance against MTSU. The staff knew what they had in him.
- Maryland has two elite running backs and wide receivers.
- Teams are running on the perimeter because of Steven Richardson.
- Thomas Barber spends a lot of extra time in the film room. He helps everyone get aligned, which you need in a mike backer.
- Kendarian Handy-Holly had his best week of practice. Mo Linguist spends a lot of one-on-one time with him.
- Rey Estes is new to cornerback but has "innate coverage skills."
- Colton Beebe is getting better every day.
- Demetrious Douglas has become more comfortable since the start of the season.
- Blaise Andries has gotten way better and has huge potential. He had freshman dough eyes in fall camp and you tell things were moving quickly for him, but his head isn't spinning anymore.
- Brian Callahan is heavily involved in the run game when he's coaching from the press box.
- What's different with Big Ten play? The tight ends are bigger and they'll play teams that are known for running.
- Robb Smith never had the 'R' position before but he likes it and doesn't see himself changing back to an outside linebacker or to a hand-down DE.
- Need to swarm tackle against Maryland. The ball carriers are athletic and hard to bring down.
- Knew that Nate Umlor would play since fall camp. He's really strong. He takes notes in meetings, which is something that now Steven has started doing.
- Malcolm Robinson is also a smart player. Joked that he knows the other team's offense before the coaches because he's analyzing the opponent on the sideline in pregame. Very tuned in.
