Aug. 22, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland football team wrapped up its final morning practice of training camp Wednesday morning with a two-hour workout under cloudy skies and surprisingly cool temperatures.

With most of the offensive and defensive formations and plays already installed, the Terps once again focused on third down and red zone situations in team sessions, and the offense had success running the ball against its defensive counterparts.

The running-back tandem of Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore consistently moved the ball on the ground, and the offense converted on several third-and-long situations.

"If there's a guy who's had a really good camp, it's been Keon," Coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I think he's playing the best football he's played since he's been here."

The senior showed nifty moves as a receiver out of the backfield, catching several passes including a touchdown grab on a swing pass from quarterback Jordan Steffy from eight yards out.

Josh Portis and Chris Turner each matched Steffy with touchdowns of their own during the red zone session. Turner hit an uncovered Joey Haynos in the back left corner of the end zone, and Portis found wideout Adrian Cannon on a slant route from 20 yards out.

The Terrapin defense had trouble containing the elusive Portis, who made life miserable for the defenders during the third-and-long session. On three consecutive third-down plays, the quarterback rushed for the first down, including one run of over 20 yards.

The defense did put good pressure on the quarterback at times, with Mack Frost, J.J. Justice, Aaron Ball and Deege Galt all recording sacks.

Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey continued to sit out practice with an injury, but the sophomore has made sure to remain involved in the offense.

"Today I was kind of proud of Darrius," Friedgen said. "He got behind the huddle and was trying to help some of those young guys out. It also kind of keeps him involved. A lot of these guys are getting a lot more reps than they normally would have gotten, so hopefully that will help our depth when everybody gets well."

The Terps will hold one more practice Wednesday, suiting up at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday marks the sixth, and final, two-a-day session for the Terps this summer. They'll practice just once each day the rest of the week before undertaking a normal season format beginning Monday.

Maryland is scheduled to hold its final scrimmage of the preseason at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, but Friedgen was uncertain after Wednesday morning's practice whether the team would continue with that plan.

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.