Preseason Football Camp Log: Day 11
8/16/2007 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 16, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team wrapped up Thursday's practice with a lengthy mock scrimmage, which involved referees and a running clock, but not tackling.
The defense won the day, aided by the fact that they needed only to tag the ball carrier with one hand to "tackle" him.
"It was alright," head coach Ralph Friedgen said of the scrimmage-like session. "We're really tired right now. We had really good practices yesterday. It got hot today and they were dragging, but we got what we wanted out of the scrimmage. The first team continues to move the ball. They didn't score. It's tough to score when you are just tagging off."
The offense struggled early, but the quarterbacks found some rhythm in the passing game and put together several long drives as the scrimmage progressed. The defense stiffened in the red zone, however, and both offenses were forced to fall back on place-kicker Obi Egekeze. The junior hit all four of his attempts, including one from 41 yards.
"Our field-goal kicking was perfect," Friedgen said. "I thought are punting was better. But kickoffs were not very good. We only got them down to the 15 or 20."
Quarterbacking the No. 1 offense was Jordan Steffy, who was picked off by cornerback Isaiah Gardner on his second throw of the day. Steffy rallied, however, to lead two scoring drives of 14 and 15 plays, respectively. The first of those ended when Steffy dove for the end zone from two yards out, but was ruled tagged down at the 1-yard-line.
Wide receiver Danny Oquendo had a productive day, catching five passes on the day, including two on big third-down conversions. Sophomore quarterbacks Josh Portis and Chris Turner each led the second-team offense into position for field goals.
"I thought Steffy did the best," Friedgen said of the quarterbacks. "It was kind of a toss-up (between Portis and Turner). I think both of the other guys threw interceptions. They were probably both about the same."
The highlight of the day came, when Portis, facing second-and-10 from his own 28, scrambled out of the pocket to avoid pressure and took off down field for a 39-yard gain. Tight end Tommy Galt made sure his quarterback had plenty of space to run, as he laid out Chris Clinton with a vicious block that sent the linebacker flying to a chorus of "oooh's" from the sideline.
Adrian Moten, Dean Muhtadi, and Jeff Clement had sacks for the defense, and Moten also batted down a Turner pass at the line. Playing in reserve roles, Arnold Davies and Jamari McCollough had interceptions at the end of the scrimmage.
The first and second teams had almost 40 plays a piece, while the third team got a handful of snaps.
Friedgen indicated after practice he's close, though not ready, to naming a starting quarterback. He said he would wait until after Saturday's scrimmage.
The Terps received from bad news on the injury front as redshirt freshman Alex Wujciak will miss the season after suffering a knee injury during Tuesday's practice. An MRI today revealed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
"This is a big blow to us right now," Friedgen said.
Wujciak battled Chase Bullock for the middle linebacker spot in the spring and moved to LEO (a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position) just prior to preseason camp. He was battling incumbent Trey Covington for the starting slot.
On the plus side, redshirt freshman running back Da'Rel Scott returned to practice today after missing the last few days of workouts.
The Terps will practice twice Friday, taking the field 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.
Scrimmage Statistics
Offense:
Rushing (Carries-Yds.): Portis 3-43; Lattimore 10-12; Ball 3-6; Henry 3-6; Scott 3-4; Steffy 1-4; Bonato 2-0; Robinson 2-(-1); L. Williams 1-(-2); Turner 1-(-6).
Passing (Att.-Comp.-Yds.): Steffy 18-23/147 yards/1 INT; Portis 7-9/43 yards; Turner 5-10/46 yards; Robinson 2-4/14 yards/2 INT.
Receiving (Rec.-Tds.): Gronkowski 3-45; Oquendo 5-43; Gloster 4-29; I. Williams 3-29; Ball 2-44; Cannon 2-17; Lattimore 3-16; Pfister 1-9; Goode 1-7; L. Williams 3-6; Smalls 2-4; Heyward-Bey 3-3; Scott 1-(-1).
Field Goals: Egekeze: 4-4/ 22, 41, 27, 29
Defense:
Sacks (No.-Yards): Clement (1-6), Whitmore (1-3), Muhtadi (.5-5), Moten (.5-5).
Interceptions (No.): Gardner (1), Davies (1), McCollough (1). Punts: Baltz: 5-204, Avg: 40.8, Long: 55.
