Injured kicker Nick Ferrara will will be a game-time decision for the Terps’ season-opening showdown against Navy, coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday.
Ferrara has had a rocky preseason, struggling with blocked kicks and suffering a groin pull.
Ferrara earned freshman All-America honors last year for the Terps, making 18 of 25 field goal attempts and all 26 of his extra point kicks.
“To be a good place kicker, you need to be 70 to 80 percent efficient, and to me he could be better there,” Friedgen said. “But I think for a true freshman, what he did was an exceptional job.”
Friedgen said his achievements especially stood out last season because he pulled double duty as the Terps’ punter in five games after ankle and finger injuries to punter Travis Baltz.
Against the Midshipmen, the role could be reversed. Baltz has taken on kicking duties and will perform both roles if Ferrara isn’t recovered by Monday. But Friedgen would prefer for each to play his respective role.
“I’d like for Nick to be the place kicker and I’d like for Travis to be the punter,” Friedgen said.
– Kate Yanchulis