Focus Is Squarely On JMU

A cross-country season-opening game made for an unusual preparation schedule for Saturday's home opener against James Madison.

After Maryland lost to California on Saturday night, the team boarded a red-eye charter flight to head back to Maryland. Aboard the plane, coaches graded tape of the 52-13 loss until batteries on the equipment ran out. Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said coaches were fortunate that James Madison did not play because they did not have to spend more time breaking down that film, as well.

Once back in College Park, bleary-eyed assistants returned home for a few hours sleep before everyone reconvened at the Gossett Team House at 3 p.m. Coaches showed players 25 plays from the game on Monday, some positive, others negative. Players lifted weights mid-day and then practiced.

Friedgen, who liked the effort in Monday's practice, said he planned to curtail the practice schedule for Tuesday and Wednesday in an effort to keep players' legs fresh. More than that, Friedgen wants his players to learn from the California loss but make sure to put it behind them.

"Cal's over, that's done," he said. "They all count the same. It's like life, you have to respond to adversity."

On Tuesday, several players had already turned their attention to James Madison and believed that JMU likely would play two quarterbacks and runs a spread offense.

Some also knew that Duke and Virginia had lost to division I-AA opponents this past weekend, and they did not want to become the third ACC school on that list.

"We need to take our pain from Saturday out on JMU," senior center Phil Costa said.

Logan Is a Go

Wide receiver and punt returner Tony Logan (shoulder) is expected back for Saturday's game, but Friedgen left open the possibility that Kenny Tate could return punts for the second straight game.

Friedgen was impressed by the way Tate caught the ball and returned punts against California. On his first punt return, Tate nearly broke free of a tackler.

"If we had just finished a block, he might have popped that thing," Friedgen said.

Sick Player Is Isolated

Friedgen said one player is sick and has been isolated but Friedgen does not know whether the player has swine flu. The sick player is not a prominent player.

"I am concerned about it," Friedgen said. "I really am."

Friedgen said players are told not to share water or towels. . . .

The status of Maryland safety Jamari McCollough (left ankle) remains uncertain for Saturday's game. Friedgen said after the California game that McCollough had sprained his ankle and would undergo X-rays. On Tuesday, Friedgen said he would not discuss the injury until after Thursday's practice.