The noise level was a little higher Saturday morning at Maryland's on-campus football practice facility as the Terps donned pads for the first time this spring, their third of 15 workouts.

While head coach Ralph Friedgen thought the first two practices were fairly crisp, he was a little more subdued after Saturday's workout.

"It was ok," Friedgen said after the two-hour practice. "I don't think we transitioned as well from drills (as we did the first two days). There were some good things, though."

Forcing more turnovers has been an emphasis this spring and Don Brown's defense did that during the practice.

"I think we worked very hard in the offseason as far as ball security and trying to get more fumbles and turnovers," Friedgen said. "Our defense stripped the ball three times today on the wide receivers. Our running backs have been doing pretty well. We have to get better there."

With the departure of three-year starter Chris Turner, eyes are on the quarterback position again.

Based on his play last season, junior Jamarr Robinson entered the spring atop the depth chart and remains there.

"He's taking charge in the huddle," Friedgen said. "I think his playing (last year) has really helped. Jamarr runs pretty well. He runs a 4.7 [40]. I think he's more quick than fast. That I think helped us last year because he was able to get out of some of those sacks and pressures and make plays out of them and keep drives going."

Overall, Friedgen has seen some separation on the depth chart at quarterback.

"I think right now if I had to pick the top three quarterbacks, it would probably be Jamarr [Robinson], [Danny] O'Brien and C.J. Brown," Friedgen said. "I thought C.J. did some better things today. I've been very pleased with Jamarr. I think his decision making is a lot faster than it was last year."

Clay Belton and Devin Burns are the other two quarterbacks on the spring roster.

Belton transferred from Miami (Ohio) before the 2009 season and is seeing his first action in the offense. He served mostly as the scout-team quarterback last season, while Burns is a true freshman who enrolled this semester.

"Clay I think has a new system and I think he's still learning," Friedgen said.

Practice News and Notes:

Saturday's practice featured individual drills, followed by offensive and defensive installation, 11-on-11 team periods and was capped off with the Oklahoma drill, which has three defenders taking on three blockers and a running back.

The second team period featured long runs from both Da'Rel Scott and Caleb Porzel. The offense made a number of plays during that 10-minute period, but reserve DB Mike Salvatico had one of the best plays of the day. On the final play of the period, the junior stepped in front of a Clay Belton pass into the flat and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

Jamarr Robinson showed his elusiveness and decision making on a designed rollout in the third and final team period. The junior rolled right and instead of forcing the ball into coverage, pulled it down and scrambled for a 20-yard gain. A few plays later, C.J. Brown hit Torrey Smith on a slant which went for a score.

Former Terp tight end Ferrel Edmunds was a spectator at practice. He played for Maryland from 1984-87 before enjoying a long NFL career.

There is a battle at cornerback to see who will take over the spot vacated by two-year starter Anthony Wiseman. Cameron Chism started 10 games opposite Wiseman after Nolan Carroll was lost for the season in the second game. Junior Trenton Hughes and Dexter McDougle are listed atop the depth chart opposite Chism. There doesn't seen to be much separation right now between Hughes and McDougle, but both are making a push for time. "I think Trenton still in a battle with [Dexter] McDougle," Friedgen said. "We think McDougle is a pretty good player. He's just a redshirt freshman, but we think he has a lot of talent. Trenton has come in and been very focused on every snap and is really trying to make a statement."


Check back Sunday for a post on Saturday's Oklahoma drill.