In 2004, Towson University freshman Sean Schaefer showed his potential as the Tigers? third quarterback, but he never saw any more action than practicing with the team as a member of the travel squad.
As a redshirt freshman last fall, Schaefer was handed the reins of the offense, and the rookie responded with a 2,772-yard, 20-touchdown performance, shattering Towson freshman records in the process.
“We weren?t really satisfied with a 6-5 season,” said Schaefer, 19. “We wanted to win a couple more games in our league.”
This year, the young leader has the Tigers looking for more, too.
“I think there?s always room for improvement,” said head coach Gordy Combs. “The one thing I always felt in a first-year quarterback, if he?s able to throw more touchdown passes than interceptions, that?s great.”
Schaefer threw 17 interceptions, three of which came in the Nov. 19 game against James Madison.
He began to grasp the starting job in spring practice last year. In particular, his performance caught the eye of offensive coordinator Phil Albert, who told Combs, “we have something special here.”
“The offensive staff was in agreement coming out of the spring that he was going to push [Andrew] Goldbeck for the job,” Combs said. “I have to give all the credit to Phil.”
Combs said it was difficult to see a team player like Goldbeck take a backseat to a freshman. Goldbeck was a similar case in 2004, taking over the position as a redshirt freshman.
“Unbelievable,” Combs said of his backup quarterback?s demeanor. “It?s just a very difficult situation for a 19- or 20-year- old. Our whole staff has a tremendous amount of respect for Andrew. If anything did happen in terms of injury to Sean, we are confident that Goldy can go in and play well.”
THE SCHAEFER FILE
High School: Northern (Calvert County)
Did you know? Schaefer was named Towson?s Male Rookie of the Year in May ? Threw for more than 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns at Northern, including 2,400 yards as a senior ? Also played baseball at Northern.
