Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell

NEWARK, Del. -- The defense looked impressive as the University of Delaware football team played its second pre-season scrimmage Sunday afternoon at Delaware Stadium.

A crowd of approximately 200 people watched the Blue Hens practice special teams and run plays for a little over two hours on a sunny afternoon.

Delaware faces the University of Maryland on Aug. 30 (ESPNU TV) at 3:45 p.m.

According to Head Coach K.C. Keeler, this scrimmage successfully helped prepare the Blue Hens for that difficult opener.

“I think we took one more positive step today,” the seventh year coach told his players at the end of the scrimmage. “The offense came out strong and the defense turned it up in the end.”

The Blue Hen defense did not allow the offense to convert a single first down during the clock situation drills, and it also kept the offense out of the end zone during two-minute drills.

Quarterback Robby Schoenhoft was able to move the offense down the field during one two-minute drill sequence, but his errant pass was intercepted by Rick Jarnagin at about the 10-yard line. The interior defensive lineman were exceptional, led by Julian James, Demitrius Hester and Siddiq Haynes.

The offense did look sharp in goal line situations, converting on the first three goal-line series of the scrimmage before running down-in-dis tance plays. Schoenhoft and Lou Ritacco took most of the snaps at quarterback, and Jared Bradley, Jerry Butler, Jonathan Smith (top right) and Phillip Thaxton shared the running back duties.

The Blue Hens worked on short-yardage plays, goal-line offense and defense, red zone offense, and the two-minute drill while also taking part in kick-off, punt team, and field goal drills.

Among the defensive highlights were Hester recovering a fumble near the offense’s own 5-yard line and running it in for a touchdown; six straight three-and-outs during the clock-situation drill; and sacks by All-American Matt Marcorelle, John Higginson, Ronald Talley, and Hester.

Most of the offensive highlights were from early in the game. Schoenhoft connected with Trevor Mooney with a pass in the end zone on the first series of the afternoon from the goal line, followed by a Jerry Butler rushing touchdown and a Ritacco quarterback bootleg run for a score.

In the third down-in-distance series of the game, Duncan (bottom right) made two catches, each for 27 yards and the second one good for a touchdown.Thaxton exploded for 58 yards on a running play in the 13th series of the afternoon. Martwain Johnston had a dazzling 34-yard catch-and-run, making three Delaware defenders miss before he was finally brought down. Bradley, Smith, and Aaron Love all found the end zone as well.

On special teams, All-American Jon Striefsky and Mike Perry shared kicking duties. Striefsky made one 22-yard field goal, as well as several other practice kicks. Senior Stuart Kenworthy and sophomore transfer Ed Wagner (Michigan State) shared the punting duties.

Among the players who did not play due to injury were running back Junior Jabbie, linebacker Brian Brown, tight end Robbie Agnone, cornerback Anthony Walters, linebacker Erik Johnson, defensive back Leo Ferrine, and defensive lineman Michael Atunrase. Cody Cipalla suffered an injury in the ninth series of the scrimmage and did not return.

Delaware will continue pre-season drills with a practice Monday morning at 8:15 p.m.