For Maryland quarterback Sam Hollenbach, today?s game at Virginia, the 71st meeting between the two teams, marks an opportunity to prolong his career. For the Terps as a whole, this game is crucial to their hopes of ending a two-year bowl drought.
While coach Ralph Friedgen wouldn?t classify this afternoon?s contest as a must-win for either his quarterback or his team?s bowl fate, he did admit that it carries significant weight.
“This is a very big game for us,” Friedgen said. “It is an interstate rivalry and has been a big game for as long as I can remember. We have to be ready to play, focus, and play the best we possibly can to get a win.”
Friedgen said that “every game is important” in the Atlantic Coast Conference. But looking at the Terps? upcoming schedule, it?s clear that a loss to 2-4 Virginia would be devastating.
After today?s game, the Terps (3-2 overall, 0-1 ACC) face North Carolina State (3-2) and Florida State (3-2) at home before traveling to No. 12 Clemson (5-1). After that, Maryland plays Miami (3-2), Boston College (4-1) and a resurgent Wake Forest (5-1).
Virginia, like the Terps in recent seasons, is going through a rebuilding phase at key positions, particularly quarterback.
“Everything goes in cycles,” Friedgen said. “They have a young team and have had a change in their quarterback. I?ve been there.”
Virginia starts redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell, who took over for senior Christian Olsen this season. Despite an average of just 78.8 passingyards per game, Virginia coach Al Groh said he?s not considering making a change.
“We have a very positive picture of where this is going to go, and we know the only way to do that is to go through the process and whatever the growing pains might be,” Groh said. “We know it?s the best path to take, and we are committed to it.”
Maryland will start Hollenbach Saturday, but Friedgen isn?t completely sold on the senior?s performance so far.
“I?m disappointed in Sam,” Friedgen said. “I?d like for him to make a few more plays.”
At his press conference earlier this week, Friedgen hinted at the possibility of sophomore backup Jordan Steffy seeing playing time in the near future.
“I do see Jordan getting better, and I?m hoping he continues to get better in practice,” Friedgen said. “The better he practices, the better chance he has of playing.”
He wouldn?t commit to a quarterback swap, though.
“There?s a couple of guys that are making some moves,” Friedgen said. “I don?t think I?m ready to make a change yet.”
Turnovers have been key to offensive inefficiencies for the Terps, and Friedgen addressed that this week.
“I don?t think there is another coach as in touch with the point of not turning the ball over as much as me,” Friedgen said. “I work at it, and I think Sam is very conscious of it.”
Hollenbach is, and he noted that there were missed opportunities against Georgia Tech.
“We had them; we just didn?t come through,” Hollenbach said. “At this point, I kind of need to make those plays for our team to win.”
He said the offense must be on the same page today against a tough defense in an adversarial environment.
“Virginia week, since I?ve been here, is just a big week,” Hollenbach said. “It?s always going to be a fight. It?s always going to be a good game.”
