COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland football team's Thursday practice inadvertently took on the feel of a real game thanks to the unpredictable presence of Mother Nature.

The Terrapins began their fourth preseason practice with a series of warm-up-like drills before being interrupted by a summer thunderstorm. Soon after returning to the field following a 30-minute lightning delay that felt similar to a break for pregame ceremonies, the players engaged in a lengthy session of full-team practice that produced standout performers on both sides of the ball.

Linebacker Adrian Moten headlined the defensive effort by registering a pair of sacks, while defensive back Antwine Perez provided the biggest hit in pass coverage. The defensive unit continued to make plays all over the field, with defensive backs Jeff Allen and Nolan Carroll both recording interceptions for the second consecutive day.

Across the line of scrimmage, running back Da'Rel Scott and wide receiver Ronnie Tyler each had catch-and-runs exceeding 30 yards. Scott took a screen pass from quarterback Josh Portis midway through the team session and dashed an additional 25 yards untouched. Not to be outdone, Tyler used his shiftiness to make several defenders miss after catching a pass on the flank from quarterback Chris Turner toward the end of practice.

"I was very pleased with the way our kids went after each other today," head coach Ralph Friedgen said. "It would have been very easy with the long delay to come out and tank, and have a bad practice, but they didn't do that."

As usual, Friedgen spent much of practice analyzing the performances of his quarterbacks. Turner, Portis and fellow gunslinger Jordan Steffy each experienced ups and downs while orchestrating the Terps offense. Each completed greater than 60 percent of his passes during the team session, though many went for short yardage.

"They're doing okay - I'd like to see them start separating themselves," Friedgen said of his quarterbacks. "I thought Chris was a little better today than he was yesterday. Jordan did some good things today but missed one or two throws."

Prior to the onset of the storm, the Terps partook in drills aimed to refine various skills, with a premium placed on ball security. A spirited special teams' battle ensued during field-goal practice. Moten and defensive back Trenton Hughes both blocked field goal attempts, though place-kicker Obi Egekeze also connected on a 50-yard try.

At the team dinner following Thursday's practice, Friedgen rewarded the players' efforts by canceling an evening meeting, telling his team to rest and come back ready to resume their hard work on Friday. The announcement was greeted with boisterous cheering.

"Overall maybe [the lightning delay] was what the doctor ordered," Freidgen said. "I think the morale of our team is very good right now. Any time you have good morale during two-a-days, that's the toughest time."

The Terrapins will wear full pads for the first time during Friday's practice as they prepare for their first two-a-day practice on Saturday - the second of which will take the form of a scrimmage.

All practices and scrimmages are closed to the public.

Terp Notes:

Practice Tidbits: Friedgen praised a number of players after Thursday's practice who have been impressive in preseason camp, including LEOs Trey Covington and Rick Costa. According to Friedgen, Costa practiced well for the third straight day. The former linebacker moved to the LEO spot prior to camp and is trying to give the Terps a pass-rusher off the edge. Friedgen thinks Covington is "playing his best football." The senior is one of the veterans of the defense having started the last three seasons at LEO. Prior to camp, Friedgen indicated that DL Jeremy Navarre, another three-year starter, had maybe the best spring of any player on the team and the senior has continued to impress through the first four days of camp. Redshirt freshman Ben Pooler has also been a bright spot at Mike linebacker. Friedgen thought he was playing well behind sophomore Alex Wujciak, who is expected to be a mainstay in the Terps defense this season.

NFL Updates: Former TE Joey Haynos, who signed as a free agent with the Green Bay Packers after the 2008 NFL Draft, is listed second on the depth chart along with Tory Humphrey... Lance Ball was impressive in the St. Louis Rams' first scrimmage, according to the team's Web site ... former linebacker Erin Henderson, trying to make the Minnesota Vikings' roster , will play his first preseason game Friday. The Vikings are scheduled to face the Seattle Seahawks. Former Terp Josh Wilson is in his second season with the Seahawks.

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 Monday. To purchase season or single-game tickets, call 1-800-IM-A-TERP or click here.