Kicking to the wire

Out of all the unsettled positions on Maryland's football team entering camp, none possessed the potential to keep the Terrapins' coaching staff up at night that the kicker job did.

Yes, there were and are concerns on the offensive line. And the defensive line is untested.

But there is zero established about walk-ons Mike Barbour and Nick Wallace, as well as true freshman Nick Ferrara.

Today didn't do much to settle it.

Barbour made his first four field goals (some of which were technically extra points), then missed his last three. He was perfect inside of 40 yards, but just 1-for-4 outside that threshold.

"He kind of looks like he's solidified the job, and then he opens it up again," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "That one will probably still go into competition."

Ferrara, the one guy of the bunch on scholarship, appears to be Barbour's rival at this stage. He made both of his attempts this afternoon.

Wallace, who received plenty of work in the spring, wasn't even called upon during the Terps' second scrimmage of camp.

"I only can work so many," Friedgen said. "He's been inconsistent, so I'm trying to find the guy who can be consistent. I've only got 13 days left to find a kicker, so I can't be wasting time with guys who really haven't shown me anything."

--- Patrick Stevens