Paul Pinegar is a sophomore tackle who has played in three games this season as the backup at right tackle. Pinegar also received extensive playing time towards the end of last season due to a slew of injuries along the offensive line. We sat down with Pinegar for this week’s edition of Meet the Team.

Terrapin Trail: The offensive line began the season strong and Da’Rel Scott shot to the top of the ACC’s leading rushers, but in recent weeks the running game has struggled. What have you guys been doing to improve during the last two weeks of practice?

Paul Pinegar: We’ve been trying to encourage each other. We try to get on each other, but in a positive way. We’ll shout from the sideline or in the huddle, give each other a tap on the helmet and say, “pick it up man, we’re behind you.” We’re trying to keep our energy really high and positive.

TT:  Do you think the lack of production from the o-line is due to the quality of opponents you’re playing, or do you think it’s a problem with you guys?

PP: Personally, what I think it might be is, we have this whole new offense this year, and teams early on in the season didn’t have a whole lot of tape on us. The more and more teams we play and the more tape they had, the more teams started to scheme against our plays.

TT: You played a lot last season and in a few games this year. What are you doing to try and get yourself on the field and what do you do on the sideline when you’re watching Dane to get yourself prepared incase you need to go in?

PP: We watch tape the whole week, and we study the guy across from us – his best pass rush moves, the way he plays a certain block – and so everytime Dane comes off the field I’ll ask, “How’s he playing?” “What’s he using when goes on a pass rush?” “That third-and-10, what did he give you? Did he spin or did he rip?”

TT: Coach said today that he put you guys back on the sled after a few weeks without it. Were you happy to see that thing again?

PP: The sled is kind of the red-headed step-child that’s over in the corner. During practice, every time you see it facing the field it’s like, “Oh, God.” You know, it helps with keeping your feet wide and being able to punch and roll your hips and lock out a block. It’s like a little competition because the sled with turn one way, so if the right side’s doing more than the left side, you can talk a little trash with the left side.

TT: Coach used to be an offensive lineman, but he said today his sled days are over, unless if he’s sitting on it. Does he ever hop on the sled, or does he spare you that?

PP: Coach Friedgen? It’s not really the kind of sled you can stand on. Sometimes coaches will stand on two-man sleds, but I don’t think Coach Friedgen would want to stand on it.

Ralph Friedgen declared today that sophomore Bruce Campbell will start at left tackle this weekend against No. 21 Wake Forest.

Scott Burley, who had started every game at left tackle, will move over to right tackle, where he will replace Dane Randolph.

Read more in tomorrow’s edition of The Diamondback.

First off, allow me to second Adi’s displeasure with today’s Buffalo Chicken sandwiches, which were regrettably sans Bleu Cheese. Other than that, they were some grand sandwiches, but still, tisk tisk.

Anyway, Ralph Friedgen and the players present at today’s luncheon all designated this weekend’s matchup against No. 21 Wake Forest as their most important of the season. The players stated the most important game is always the next one, and Friedgen continued on to point out what a victory could do for their conference record and what implications it could have later in the season should the Terps and Deamon Deacons end up with identical records.

Friedgen spoke at length about Wake Forest’s experience, particularly on defense, which is led by linebacker Aaron Curry and cornerback Alphonso Smith, both considered among the nation’s best at their position.

The Fridge also identified the Virginia loss as one of the toughest of his career, and when asked whether it was time for his players to man-up and motivate themselves, the eighth-year coach said, “It would help,” but he continued on to place the onus squarely on his shoulders. Friedgen also remarked that his team had a good week of practice during their bye.

“The best thing about our practices was, not that we did everything right, but I saw a sincere desire to try to do things right,” Freidgen said.

The players addressed the hurt from last year’s 31-24 overtime loss in Winston-Salem and the elusiveness of junior quarterback Riley Skinner. Cornerback Kevin Barnes said Skinner is probably the conference’s “best quarterback at keeping the play alive.” Center Edwin Williams echoed Freidgen’s sentiment that the Terps are essentially in a “six-game playoff” for the Atlantic Division, with the goal being a trip to the ACC Championship game in Tampa, Fla.

Clemson football coach Tommy Bowden was fired today, news that may not surprise anyone but should shake up the ACC.

Another week, another winner for the NCAA Football 09 prize!

This week, the poster “joe” wins for his post on, of all things, field hockey.

the only reason why the field hockey lost was because of the three girls that were away for the pan american game. that is stupid. Terps should have won”

Thanks joe, and to the rest of you, keep posting away. We’ve got four more weeks to go on the contest.

Remember, anyone can enter but a valid e-mail address must be provided for the winner, and in order to receive your prize, you must pick it up from our on-campus address in the South Campus Dining Hall.

FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES

Men’s soccer wins at Virginia Tech, 4-0:

The No. 10 Terps (9-3-0, 3-2-0 ACC) proved too much for Virginia Tech (4-7-1, 0-5-0) on Friday night, scoring a 4-0 rout in Blacksburg, Va. Midfielder Jeremy Hall led the way with the team’s first two goals, his sixth and seventh of the season on a pair of headers. Forwards Jason Herrick and Billy Cortes followed suit with goals of their own. Freshmen Casey Townsend and Matt Kassel both contributed two assists for the Terps.

Volleyball loses at Florida State, 3-1:

Florida State (10-6, 2-4) extended the Terps’ (5-13, 1-5) ACC losing streak to five matches Friday night with a 3-1 (20-25, 25-22, 21-25, 18-25) win in Tallahassee, Fla. Katie Usher led the Terps with 12 kills and two blocks, but 27 errors buried them, as they were unable to capitalize on the Seminoles’ 10 service errors.

SATURDAY GAME

Field hockey loses to Duke, 3-2:

Playing without three of their top players, the No. 1 Terps (10-2, 3-1) fell short of the No. 9 Blue Devils (9-3, 2-2) even at home. Senior back Susie Rowe scored both Terp goals unassisted, but it wasn’t enough as Duke’s Amie Survilla scored twice and teammate Marian Dickerson scored the game-winner in the 61st minute.

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