The Maryland Terrapins concluded preseason camp Saturday evening.
The Terps worked out for about 90 minutes at the on-campus practice facility with the focus on game preparation for Navy, a meeting which is now just nine days away (Sept. 6, 4 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore).
Maryland will not practice Sunday, but returns to the field Monday, the first day of classes at the university.
Teams normally spend extra time preparing for the opening opponent, but Navy offers a different dynamic.
The Midshipmen's triple-option attack is one of the most challenging offenses in the country so the Terps have gone to extra lengths to get ready.
Navy ranked fourth nationally last season in rushing offense (280.5 yards per game) led by 2010 Heisman trophy contender Ricky Dobbs, who set an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterbacks (27 in 2009).
Thursday's simulated game in Capital One Field at Byrd stadium, which featured the scout team offense playing without a ball to replicate Navy's speed and deception, hopes to pay dividends when the Terps see Dobbs live.
"I didn't realize we had 125 plays (in Thursday's mock game)," Friedgen said after Friday evening's practice. "(Everyone) really played hard. I think all the coaches feel like we got more out of that than what we thought we would."
Friedgen likes the progression of the team during its nearly three weeks of camp, which featured five two-a-day sessions.
"We're at a point right now where let's get our legs back under us and get sharp," Friedgen said. "We've only had one poor practice the whole time. For the most part, (the guys) have come out and really given good effort (throughout camp)."
Practice Notes: Punter Travis Baltz, who served as the team's No. 2 place-kicker in 2007, is pulling double duty right now with Nick Ferrara sidelined. Baltz connected on 7 of 9 field goals during competitive situations in Friday's practice. "He did pretty good today," Friedgen said after Friday's practice ... depth at quarterback has been evident throughout preseason camp. Junior Jamarr Robinson is the starter, but Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown are developing as the second and third string options. "Danny's progressing very well," Friedgen said Friday. "The last four or five days, I've been very impressed with him. For a redshirt freshman he's doing pretty good. And C.J. is improving also. We're lacking experience there, even with Jamarr, but I think when once that happens those kids are going to end up being good football players." ... fullback Taylor Watson, who injured his knee in the spring, is expected to return to practice next week, but likely won't play the first couple of games ... defensive lineman De'Onte Arnett (leg) is expected back to practice within the next week ... tight end Devonte Campbell (knee) is also expected back in two weeks ... tight end Will Yeatman, who fractured a finger early in camp, has begun non-contact work and even caught a few passes in Friday's practice.
Teams normally spend extra time preparing for the opening opponent, but Navy offers a different dynamic.
The Midshipmen's triple-option attack is one of the most challenging offenses in the country so the Terps have gone to extra lengths to get ready.
Navy ranked fourth nationally last season in rushing offense (280.5 yards per game) led by 2010 Heisman trophy contender Ricky Dobbs, who set an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterbacks (27 in 2009).
Thursday's simulated game in Capital One Field at Byrd stadium, which featured the scout team offense playing without a ball to replicate Navy's speed and deception, hopes to pay dividends when the Terps see Dobbs live.
"I didn't realize we had 125 plays (in Thursday's mock game)," Friedgen said after Friday evening's practice. "(Everyone) really played hard. I think all the coaches feel like we got more out of that than what we thought we would."
Friedgen likes the progression of the team during its nearly three weeks of camp, which featured five two-a-day sessions.
"We're at a point right now where let's get our legs back under us and get sharp," Friedgen said. "We've only had one poor practice the whole time. For the most part, (the guys) have come out and really given good effort (throughout camp)."
Practice Notes: Punter Travis Baltz, who served as the team's No. 2 place-kicker in 2007, is pulling double duty right now with Nick Ferrara sidelined. Baltz connected on 7 of 9 field goals during competitive situations in Friday's practice. "He did pretty good today," Friedgen said after Friday's practice ... depth at quarterback has been evident throughout preseason camp. Junior Jamarr Robinson is the starter, but Danny O'Brien and C.J. Brown are developing as the second and third string options. "Danny's progressing very well," Friedgen said Friday. "The last four or five days, I've been very impressed with him. For a redshirt freshman he's doing pretty good. And C.J. is improving also. We're lacking experience there, even with Jamarr, but I think when once that happens those kids are going to end up being good football players." ... fullback Taylor Watson, who injured his knee in the spring, is expected to return to practice next week, but likely won't play the first couple of games ... defensive lineman De'Onte Arnett (leg) is expected back to practice within the next week ... tight end Devonte Campbell (knee) is also expected back in two weeks ... tight end Will Yeatman, who fractured a finger early in camp, has begun non-contact work and even caught a few passes in Friday's practice.
Looking forward to the Navy game. I'm sure everyone's ready to hit someone different.