March 29, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Spring practice continued Thursday afternoon for the Maryland football team as the Terps conducted a two-hour session at their on-campus practice facility.
The Terrapins conducted individual drills for the first 90 minutes of the workout before moving into 9-on-9 and 11-on-11 team drills.
Head coach Ralph Friedgen gave each of the six quarterbacks competing for playing time next season several reps in the 11-on-11 drills. Junior Jordan Steffy, currently at the top of the depth chart, connected with junior Danny Oquendo and sophomore Darrius Heyward-Bey for several completions. He also showed his elusiveness with a strong run up the middle on a broken play.
"They all have to keep getting better at throwing the ball, but I'm not disappointed in anyone," Friedgen said of his quarterbacks. "Part of that is that we need to do a lot of work at wide receiver."
Friedgen also expressed satisfaction with the progression of the defense.
"This can be a very good defense," he said. "They have a lot of speed and good leadership on the field."
That defense, which will have six starters back in the fall, caused one turnover on the day when sophomore Chris Turner's pass to junior Matt Goldberg was picked off by senior defensive back Colin Nelson. Turner rebounded on the next play with a completion to tight end Joey Haynos.
The defensive backfield, led by senior Christian Varner, junior J.J. Justice, and junior Richard Taylor, prevented the quarterbacking corps from completing many long passes and broke up several plays. Varner and sophomore Anthony Wiseman knocked down a pass from sophomore signal-caller Josh Portis intended for Oquendo along the sideline.
Freshmen Da'Rel Scott and Morgan Green, who both redshirted last season, held down the majority of the rushing duties. Senior Lance Ball also saw action both as a rusher and receiving passes.
The highlight of the Terps' second practice of the spring may have been the fumble recovery and rush of junior offensive lineman Edwin Williams. The 6-foot-2, 326-pound Williams scooped up a fumble by Green and gained significant yards, garnering cheers from his teammates on the sideline and the small crowd watching the practice.
The Terps resume spring practice at 10 a.m. Saturday. Spring practice concludes on Saturday, April 28 with the annual Red-White Spring Game.
