Aug. 17, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland took to the practice field Friday morning for the first of two sessions. Today's workouts will serve as the final tune-up for Saturday's scrimmage.

Head coach Ralph Friedgen had the team concentrate on third downs and red-zone situations during team drills. The team didn't quite come out with the same focus as yesterday.

"We practiced pretty poorly today," Friedgen said. "They were tired. We wanted to let up a little and they didn't do real well. The first teams are ok. The more mature the kids are, the more they can deal with it. When the younger kids get tired, sore and it gets hot, it's hard to focus and concentrate, and then there are missed assignments, dropped balls and people getting hurt."

Friedgen and the staff are trying to prepare the players for the rigors of the season where a few plays can determine the outcome of the game.

"If you're going to win the battle of wills, you got to be able to fight through it," Friedgen said. "That kind of determination and mental toughness is what ends up winning games."

The offense did play well at times during Friday's morning session. The first-team offense converted 50 percent of its third-down attempts, led by quarterback Jordan Steffy's two completions on third-and-long. Running back Keon Lattimore earned the third first down on a 10-yard run on third-and-six.

In the first red-zone session, the offense scored twice in six attempts. Facing second-and-six from the 16-yard line, Friedgen called an end around for wide receiver LaQuan Williams. Steffy faked the hand off up the middle, then turned and gave the ball to Williams who cut back up field through the defense for a touchdown.

Later, Steffy lofted a perfectly placed pass to wide out Adrian Cannon in the back right corner of the end zone. Cannon had beaten cornerback Isaiah Gardner and grabbed the pass with his feet in bounds for the touchdown.

Although he was beaten on that play, Gardner made some big stops for the defense. He knocked two passes down in front of receivers, and stripped the ball from the runner on a reverse play and recovered the fumble.

Safety Terrell Skinner intercepted Josh Portis in the second red zone session and returned the ball from the end zone to the 30-yard line. Linebacker Erin Henderson jumped a pass in the flat from Steffy and easily returned it the other way for a touchdown.

Portis continued to make plays with his feet, securing a first down on a quarterback sneak, and Williams fought off Colin Nelson to grab his second score of the day on a jump ball from quarterback Chris Turner in the end zone.

Friedgen and the staff had a chance to review the film from yesterday's mock scrimmage and came away mostly pleased.

"I thought the effort was pretty good," Friedgen said. "I really got what I wanted to see, how guys would execute when they were tired. The first team did pretty good and Turner took the second team on a long drive."

Steffy was 18 of 23 for 147 yards and one interception, Turner was 5 of 10 for 46 yards and Portis 7 of 9 for 43 yards. Portis also had a scrimmage-best 43 yards on the ground.

Lattimore had just 12 yards on 10 carries, though the defense just tagged off as tackling was not allowed.

Danny Oquendo had five receptions for 43 yards, Dan Gronkowski had three catches for 45 yards and Drew Gloster hauled in four passes for 29 yards.

Defensively, Gardner, Arnold Davies and Jamari McCollough had interceptions, while Jeff Clement had one sack and Dean Muhtadi and Adrian Moten combined for one.

Obi Egekeze hit all four of his field-goal attempts and Travis Baltz averaged almost 41 yards on five punts, including a long of 55.

Friday's second workout is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and the team will hold its second preseason scrimmage tomorrow, also at 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.