Terp coach Ralph Friedgen likes to say that at this point in the year, the defense is usually well ahead of the offense.

At the end of today’s practice, the Terp wide receivers and quarterbacks got a chance to prove him wrong.

In the final period of the day, Friedgen set up a drill in which the receivers squared off against the defensive backs with the rest of the team watching to decide which unit would run at the end of practice.

The defense got a chance to practice the style of press-man-to-man coverage that new defensive coordinator Don Brown favors. Terp quarterbacks Chris Turner and Jamarr Robinson showed they are pretty comfortable with the young receiving corps.

Cornerback Nolan Carroll intercepted Turner on the drill’s opening play, but the offense rebounded behind big plays from Torrey Smith, Quintin McCree, Adrian Cannon and a non-contact jersey wearing Ronnie Tyler to force the defense to close the practice running. Cornerback Michael Carter pulled up lame with an apparent leg injury after being beaten by Smith on a go-route straight down field.

Although Friedgen praised his defensive backs after practice for their efforts, he said the real test will be Saturday’s scrimmage.

“That’s real sexy to play press-man, but you’re out there on an island, and you better be able to do it,” Friedgen said.

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