Place Kicking Battle Enters Final Week

The place kicking competition remains ongoing as Maryland enters the final week of preparation before its season opener at 12th-ranked California.

True freshman Nick Ferrara and redshirt freshman Mike Barbour combined to make all five of their field goal attempts in Thursday’s final team scrimmage. Every kick was at least 45 yards.

“After Ferrara made the first three long ones, I would have said he was the guy,” Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said. “Then Barbour came in and kicked right with him. So game on.”

Ferrara has the stronger leg and has been getting more height on the ball recently. Before the start of Thursday’s scrimmage, Ferrara made a wind-aided kick from close to 55 yards.

“Wouldn’t that be a weapon,” Friedgen said. “All of the sudden he is more relaxed, more confident.”