Aug. 14, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In Saturday's scrimmage the University of Maryland offense moved the ball efficiently against its defensive counterparts.

In Tuesday afternoon's workout the momentum swung back to the defense in a big way. Using a variety of blitzes and stunts, the linemen and linebackers harassed the quarterbacks into hurried throws and swallowed up the running backs in the backfield.

"The defense kicked the offense all over the field," head coach Ralph Friedgen said after the two-hour workout on the team's practice fields.

Four or five defenders were in the backfield on several plays, and running backs Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore found little room to operate.

"The past two days, we've had great energy out there," defensive coordinator Chris Cosh said. "Our guys were being physical; they played hard. It's about creating habits. We have to go out there and keep pounding."

The defense's aggressive tone forced the offense into mistakes. On one play, linebacker Moise Fokou came at quarterback Chris Turner untouched and forced an early throw. Turner threw backwards to his left looking to avoid the sack by dumping the ball off to his running back. The ball hit the ground instead (a fumble because it traveled backwards) and safety Jeff Allen scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown.

Fokou, who is pushing for playing time at strongside linebacker, drew praise from Cosh after practice, along with lineman Mack Frost, for his energy and hard work.

Overall the defense forced three fumbles and grabbed one interception, on a dominating day.

The two offensive highlights of the practice came on long throws. Tight end Joey Haynos got behind Colin Nelson deep up the left sideline, but the pass was under thrown. Haynos, who stands 6-foot-8, reached behind the head of the shorter Nelson to grab the ball.

Later in practice, freshman quarterback Jamarr Robinson twice found wide receiver Kevin Gresham for touchdowns, the first coming on a long pass in the middle of the field, which Gresham took more than 50 yards.

Friegden indicated the players may be hitting a wall after nearly 10 days of preseason camp.

"We've done pretty well up until now," Friedgen said. "It's a combination of fatigue and being able to focus. Mental toughness comes into play right now. We've got to learn do better than what we did offensively today."

The Terps will practice twice Wednesday, working out at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

All practices and scrimmages remain closed to the public, while credentialed members of the media may attend the first five periods (approximately 30 minutes) of each workout, except scrimmages.

The QB Derby: Friedgen isn't quite ready to name a starting quarterback, but he indicated after Tuesday's practice he is getting closer to choosing one. The team will hold a mock scrimmage Thursday, running it like a game with no coaches on the field and plays being signaled in from the sidelines. The seventh-year head coach would like to view the performances of Jordan Steffy, Josh Portis and Chris Turner under game-like conditions as much as possible before anointing an opening-game starter. The Terps will scrimmage for the second time this preseason Saturday evening.

Lucky Number Seven: There are only five starters along the offensive line, but Friedgen considers his unit as having seven. LT Scott Burley, LG Jaimie Thomas, C Edwin Williams, RG Andrew Crummey and RT Dane Randolph are penciled in as the starters, but Phil Costa and Jack Griffin are both versatile players who are expected to contribute this season. Costa can play guard and center, while Griffin has worked at guard and tackle. "Griffin and Costa to me are starters," Friedgen said. "I wouldn't have any reservations playing them and will play them (this year) so we can keep guys rested." The Terps are also working Evan Eastburn at center to see if he can serve as Williams' back-up. Griffin is also pushing Randolph for time at right tackle.

Decisions Coming on Kicking Game: The Terps have big shoes to fill in the kicking game as punter Adam Podlesh and place-kicker Dan Ennis were each All-ACC performers in 2006. Friedgen said he's "fairly close to naming a place-kicker." Obi Egekeze and Travis Baltz are battling for the place-kicking job. Friedgen indicated Egekeze looks much more confident this season and had a solid practice Tuesday. Baltz is also battling with Chris Roberts for the punting job. Friedgen said he`s "leaning towards Baltz on punting and Roberts on kickoffs, but that could change."