COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Maryland hasn't abandoned hope of playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship football game, although the Terrapins' chances of fulfilling that ambitious goal could be threatened by injuries to quarterback Sam Hollenbach and running back Keon Lattimore.<br>
<br>
Hollenbach sprained his left shoulder in Maryland's 28-9 loss to No. 3 Virginia Tech last Thursday. He has not practiced since then, and will likely be held out of Saturday's showdown against 10th-ranked Florida State if he cannot go at full speed Wednesday.<br>
<br>
``Right now he's questionable,'' coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday. ``We're trying to let the shoulder quiet down. We'll know more tomorrow.''<br>
<br>
Lattimore, who also hurt his shoulder against Virginia Tech, has been a key facet of the Maryland ground game. The sophomore tailback has started the past two games, ranks third on the team with 181 yards rushing and is tied for second with three touchdowns.<br>
<br>
Lattimore is also questionable for Saturday. If he cannot play, Mario Merrills and Lance Ball will split time at running back.<br>
<br>
Hollenbach throws with his right arm, but the injury affects his mechanics and ability to run. His backup is Joel Statham, who started 10 games last season, completing 54 percent of his passes but throwing 15 interceptions compared to eight touchdowns.<br>
<br>
Friedgen hopes to redshirt third-string quarterback Jordan Steffy, but will abandon that plan if Statham starts and struggles.<br>
<br>
Maryland (4-3, 2-2) lost 14 in a row to Florida State before last year, when Statham led the Terrapins to their first-ever win over the Seminoles, 20-17. Whether it is Hollenbach or Statham taking the snaps Saturday, Maryland will be pressed to pull off an encore.<br>
<br>
Florida State (6-1, 4-1) lead the ACC's Atlantic Division by a half-game over Boston College. Maryland faces B.C. on Nov. 19, which gives Friedgen reason to believe the Terrapins can still win the division and play for the ACC title in Jacksonville on Dec. 3.<br>
<br>
``If you do the math, we're not out of this thing,'' he said. ``We've got to play the two people ahead of us. If we win those two games and our other two games, then we have a chance to play in the championship game.<br>
<br>
``Obviously, this is a big one. If we don't win this one, then we're probably out of it.''<br>
<br>
Even if Maryland loses to the Seminoles, the Terrapins can still earn a bowl bid by winning two of their final three games. That, however, remains a secondary goal.<br>
<br>
``We control our own destiny,'' Terps receiver Jo Jo Walker said. ``We have four games left. We win all four, we go to Jacksonville. That's what the plan has been all year. It's great to go to a bowl game, but all the people on the team want to go to Jacksonville. That's our main concern.''<br>
<br>
Since losing the starting job to Hollenbach over the summer, Statham has played in only one game, serving in a mop-up role against Temple. But he has handled the move to backup with poise and grace.<br>
<br>
``He's a leader. Even though he's not starting, he's still very positive and helps Sam,'' Walker said. ``Most people would just go into the tank and be like, 'Whatever, I don't like this program.' He never said that one time. He still competes like he's the No. 1 quarterback.''<br>
<br>
In doing so, Statham has earned the respect of his teammates and his coach.<br>
<br>
``I think he's done a heck of a job. I'm very proud of Joel,'' Friedgen said. ``I think he's patiently been waiting. It's not an easy role to be in. But I think he's worked hard and is prepared. I'm expecting him to do well if he plays Saturday.''<br>
<br>
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
