Freidgen undecided on starting quarterback

Posted 6:45AM on Wednesday 20th October 2004 ( 20 years ago )

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has delayed choosing his starting quarterback for Saturday's game at Clemson. He might wait until shortly before kickoff to settle the issue. The Terrapins (3-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have lost two straight, scoring a total of 10 points in home defeats against Georgia Tech and North Carolina State. Sophomore quarterback Joel Statham was replaced by true freshman Jordan Steffy in the third quarter of both games, and the gap between the two has narrowed significantly enough to leave Friedgen in a quandary over who to start against the Tigers (2-4, 1-3). ``I think we'll continue to let them compete,'' Friedgen said Tuesday. ``I will say this: I think the competition is getting closer. But I'm still not convinced who the starter will be. That will probably be a game-time decision.'' Both quarterbacks will receive equal playing time with the starting unit during practice this week, he said. Statham won the job during the summer and got Maryland off to a 3-1 start. Although he had trouble avoiding turnovers, Statham put up some impressive numbers during the first month of the season. He was particularly productive in a 55-21 rout of Duke, going 22-for-37 for 362 yards and four touchdowns. That game was followed by a bye. Statham returned to complete only six of 14 passes for 36 yards against Georgia Tech, then went 6-for-11 for 18 yards against the Wolfpack. ``It's amazing what three weeks can do. Three weeks ago we almost had 700 yards total offense (against Duke),'' Friedgen said. ``We just have not played to the way we're capable of playing.'' Steffy has been less than overwhelming in relief. He was 5-for-9 for 38 yards against the Yellow Jackets and 1-for-7 for six yards last week. There is some question as to whether it's prudent to give a true freshman his first start at a place known as Death Valley in front of 80,000 hostile fans, but Friedgen believes Steffy is almost ready to handle that kind of situation. ``He's getting closer, he really is,'' Friedgen said. ``I'm not saying it won't happen this week.'' The Terrapins must win three of their final five games to qualify for a bowl bid, and with Florida State and Virginia Tech looming, Maryland simply can't afford to lose to Clemson. ``To me, it's a matter of urgency. We've got five games left, hopefully six,'' Friedgen said. ``I'm as frustrated as the kids are. I think we're all bound and determined to do better.'' In each of their last two games, the Terrapins moved nicely on their opening drive before Nick Novak missed a field goal. After that, the offense stumbled. Against the Wolfpack, Maryland amassed 61 yards in offense on the first drive and just 30 yards thereafter. ``If we could have played the whole game like we did the first drive, we would have beat N.C. State,'' Friedgen said. ``We've got to sustain that type of intensity for 60 minutes, not eight minutes.'' Until the offense improves, it will be up to the defense to carry the load. ``That's our job,'' safety Ray Custis said. ``If the offense is not playing up to its potential, it's our job to keep the scores off the board.'' An interception or a fumble recovery wouldn't hurt, either. ``Our main focus is to create opportunities for the offense to score,'' defensive end Kevin Eli said. ``Coming into the season, we were together. It was win as a team, lose as a team. We're losing as a team right now, and once we get back on the winning track we'll be winning as a team.''

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/149335