Maryland Preseason Football Camp Log: Day 10
8/14/2008 8:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 14, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The college football season affords teams little margin for error, and Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen knows the importance of having his team already battle-tested and game-ready come the season opener against Delaware in 16 days.
That is why the veteran coach had his team conduct a mock scrimmage Thursday evening, simulating every aspect of a live game, including penalties and special teams. The Terrapins played the equivalent of three quarters of a game on their practice field, with the first team receiving 40 of the nearly 100 plays. Rather than engaging in tackling or two-hand tap, the scrimmage called for defensive players to `thud and wrap' in order to end a play.
"It was good - everybody played and we didn't get anybody hurt," Friedgen said. "The offense moved the ball a little better than they have been. The last two days the defense just dominated them. We're still not hitting on all cylinders, but we're showing improvement there. It was good because it was a game situation."
With the competition at quarterback still underway, the Terrapins' triumvirate of senior Jordan Steffy and juniors Chris Turner and Josh Portis each had opportunities Thursday to showcase their abilities.
Steffy, who completed 11 of 17 passes, orchestrated two scoring drives, throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Danny Oquendo (team-high five receptions for 53 yards) against the first-team defense and leading the offense to a field goal on the opening drive of the day.
Portis added a 13-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a field goal. Jamarr Robinson also led the offense to a field goal.
"We rotated [Turner, Steffy and Portis] with the first and second teams," Friedgen said. "We're still not ready to make a decision. We'll see what happens [in the scrimmage] Saturday and probably make a decision after Saturday."
Defensively, cornerback Kevin Barnes intercepted a Turner pass and returned it 40 yards to the 1-yard line, setting up a Davin Meggett touchdown run. Defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre continued to serve as a difficult assignment for the opposition, registering a pass breakup to go along with a sack.
The mock scrimmage enabled several younger players to receive a taste of the speed of the college game, and some made the most of the opportunity.
Sophomore running back Dan Bonato rushed for a scrimmage-high 64 yard on nine carries, including bursts of 19 and 20 yards.
Defensive back Cameron Chism, a true freshman, broke up two passes as did sophomore Brandon Jackson-Mills.
Place-kicker Obi Egekeze was perfect in his handling of the kicking duties. The senior connected on field goals of 22, 29 and 41 yards. After a slow start for the punting team, punter Travis Baltz managed to pin the opposition inside its 20-yard-line.
The Terps will have two lighter practices Friday wearing shorts and shoulder pads as they prepare for another scrimmage Saturday evening at Chevy Chase Bank at Byrd Stadium.
"After Saturday, we've got to start getting ready for the season," Friedgen said. "I don't want to wear the scout team out, but our defense doesn't need to see a lot of what our offense is doing. They need to see more of the spread offense and things they're going to see in the first three games. Conversely, our offense needs to see what they're going to see in the first three games and start getting ready for that."
Terp Notes
Football Tickets on Sale: Season tickets for this fall's seven-game home slate start as low as $189 and are on sale through the Maryland Athletics Ticket Office. Single-game tickets went on sale last week. To purchase season or single-game tickets, call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here. The Terps open the season on Saturday, Aug. 30 (3:45 p.m.) when they play host to Delaware.
