March 28, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - After spending the first two days of spring practice in shorts, the University of Maryland football team donned pads for the first time Saturday afternoon during a two-hour and 30-minute workout at the Terps' on-campus facility.

The highlights of Saturday's workout were the Oklahoma drill, which features three defenders against three blockers and a rusher, and the goal-line scrimmage.

Having to move the ball 10 yards on two carries, redshirt freshman running back Gary Douglas was able to score on back-to-back possessions in the Oklahoma drill.

Junior Dan Bonato also scored twice in the drill and Davin Meggett pushed the ball across the goal-line on each of the final two possessions.

Freshman linebacker Darin Drakeford, who enrolled in school in January, had the best hit during drill, nailing RB Andrew Braxton as he crossed the line of scrimmage.

"We have a competition within the team," head coach Ralph Friedgen said of the Oklahoma drill. "There are 10 teams with our team. We've been having competition all winter and the score is tracked each month so this will factor in. We'll see how it all works out."

The offense scored twice on the ground and two times through the air during six goal-line possessions.

Junior Da'Rel Scott, a first-team All-ACC back last season, scored on the first carry of the team period against the No. 1 defense.

After Meggett was stopped on three straight carries on the next possession, Morgan Green scored on his second carry of the third drive.

Reserve tight end Ryan Schlothauer also scored twice on throws from second-string quarterback Jamarr Robinson.

Schlothauer had a highlight-reel catch in the left corner of the end zone. Robinson's throw was initially tipped in the air by the defender and Schlothauer caught the ball while after falling to the ground.

On the final play of the goal-line scrimmage, Robinson found Schlothauer in the right corner of the end zone.

"I'm not disappointed," Friedgen said of the first week of practice. "I'm pleased where we're at. I think this is just the first day of pads."

The Terps have just begun installing a new defensive system under first-year coordinator Don Brown so there are expected to be growing pains on that side of the ball, especially with leading tackler Alex Wujciak (knee surgery) out all spring.

"Defensively, they are thinking a little bit which is understandable," Friedgen said.

Maryland has just four seniors in the offensive two-deep, but there are six starters back from last season, including Scott and senior quarterback Chris Turner. This is also the second year under the system of assistant head coach/offensive coordinator James Franklin.

"Offensively, I think we're ahead of where we were last year because of assignments and techniques," Friedgen said. "We're younger, but they have a better understanding of what we want."

The Terps have 12 workouts remaining, including with the Red-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 25 (3:30 p.m. ET at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium). Maryland will practice next at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Practice sessions are open to the media and general public, though fans must contact the football office to gain access.

Terp Notes:

Fullback Battle: With three-year starting fullback Cory Jackson sitting out the spring after off-season knee surgery, sophomore Taylor Watson and junior Haroon Brown are expected to battle for the No. 2 job this spring. "I think Taylor and Haroon are improved," Friedgen said. "They can only get better. They're getting a lot of reps. The competition can only help us."

Practice Notes: Freshman linebacker Avery Murray, who enrolled in January, has showed promise in the first week of practice. "He's just a young kid, but he can run," Friedgen said. "He'll figure in somewhere." Murray should have plenty of opportunity. With Alex Wujciak and Ben Pooler missing the spring, the LB two-deep currently features three freshmen, junior Drew Gloster, who has moved from tight end, and special teams performer Hakeem Sule. Moten is the only linebacker currently practicing who has played that position in a game ... redshirt freshmen Gary Douglas and Justin Gilbert were each hurt during drills and missed the end of the workout ... defensively, Friedgen singled out the performances of Travis Ivey, Terrell Skinner and Zachariah Kerr for the plays they made Saturday.

Season Tickets on Sale: Maryland football season-ticket renewals and new season tickets are now available. A variety of season-ticket options are available with prices starting as low as $135. Family 4-Packs are also available for $500. For the first time, the Maryland ticket office is offering a season ticket payment plan which allows fans to spread the cost over four installments. For ticket information, call the Maryland ticket office at 1-800-462-TERP or click here

Keeping Up With Darrius: Maryland fans can follow the exploits of Darrius Heyward-Bey leading up to the 2009 NFL Draft. Heyward_Bey and five other prospects are having their preparation chronicled with videos and a blog. Click here to view the site.

2009 Maryland Spring Football Practice Schedule

# - Scrimmage
& - Red-White Spring Game

All practice dates and times are subject to change.

Spring workouts will take place on the football practice fields located adjacent to the baseball stadium. They are open to the public. Those interested in attending should contact Mike Lynn in the football office (301-314-9057) to register for the practice.