The last line of Maryland?s game performance sheet entering Saturday?s game at Florida International in Miami reads: “Win by any means.”
Now, it?s up to quarterback Jordan Steffy, who is making just his second career start, to find a way to make it happen.
Against Florida International (0-1), which is coming off a 59-0 loss at Penn State, Steffy will look past the sheet?s earlier requirements, such as control the game and be aware of the clock, and focus on the final category ? win.
“That?s what I want to do, go out and help us win,” said Steffy, who guided his team to a season-opening victory against Villanova on Saturday. “I?m not going to be timid or scared at all.”
He hasn?t been holding back on the sidelines, either, where Steffy has offered advice to coach Ralph Friedgen, who, for the second straight season, is calling plays from the sideline.
“He?s telling me to run him. ?Hey, get me involved in this. Start running me.? In pro football I never had that, a guy telling me what to do,” Friedgen said.
Steffy, in his fourth season in College Park, has enough understanding of Maryland?s offense to voice his opinions. Chris Turner, Steffy?s backup, doesn?t?and sophomore backup Josh Portis has been suspended for the season for violating the University?s Code of Academic Integrity.
“Chris is a guy that has to function within the offense,” Friedgen said. “He?s not going to be a guy that creates things. He?s going to have to play smart, he?s going to have to take what the defense gives him and he?s going to have to make sure he reads very well. If he does those things, he?s pretty functional. I?ve been impressed with him. I said at the end of spring he?s in the hunt, and I still feel that way. He?s going to get reps and he?s going to have to bring his game up a notch.”
Friedgen must also prepare Jamarr Robinson, a true freshman, to serve as the third string quarterback, but would rather redshirt him. However, if Steffy and Turner struggle, he may not have a choice.
Turner entered Saturday?s 31-14 win over Villanova when Steffy left with a leg cramp, and threw two interceptions and completed just 4-of-7 passes for 33 yards. Now that Steffy is past his first start, in which he completed 19-of-24 passes for 174 yards, Friedgen is optimistic about how he?ll perform against Florida International.
“I?d be surprised,” Friedgen said, “if he doesn?tcontinue to improve.”
MARYLAND (1-0) AT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (0-1)
» When: Saturday, 7 p.m.
» Where: Orange Bowl, Miami
» TV: ESPN 360
» Radio: 105.7 FM/1300 AM
