Much has been made of Sam Hollenbach?s return as the starting quarterback for the University of Maryland. The senior started Saturday, becoming only the second starting quarterback to return for coach Ralph Friedgen in his six-year career in College Park.
Hollenbach said that one of his goals this year was to improve his situation awareness.
Recommended Stories
“When we get inside the 30 [-yard line], we have got to have points,” Hollenbach said Saturday. “It is my responsibility to make sure that happens.”
In Saturday?s 27-14 win over William & Mary, Hollenbach completed 9 of 15 passes for 153 yards but failed to throw a touchdown. The lack of passing scores is also an effect of Maryland running the ball two-thirds of the time on offense.
“We are going to have games when we throw the ball more,” Hollenbach said, adding that he was comfortable with Friedgen doubling as offensive coordinator.
Friedgen returned the compliment during his weekly press conference Tuesday.
“I thought he played a solid game,” he said.
Since the beginning of the preseason, Friedgen has touted his senior quarterback by saying, “It?s not what he does, it?s what he doesn?t do.”
The Terps need Hollenbach to avoid repeating his 15-interception season from last year. He protected the ball well on Saturday.
“He didn?t take a sack in the red zone,” Friedgen said. “He put us in position to win the football game, and that?s what he has to do.”
Late in the first half and again in the second half, Friedgen inserted his backup quarterback, sophomore Jordan Steffy. Both times Steffy was in the game, he turned the ball over, throwing an interception in the first half and losing a fumble in the second.
“We have got to stop turning the ball over,” Friedgen said. “That has to be corrected, and it is not being corrected. [Steffy] is disappointed. He knows he can play better, and I told him I know he could play better.”
Friedgen said that he put the sophomore in during the first half to see how he would handle playing with the first-team offense when the game was on the line.
“He had to get some of the rust off,” Friedgen said. “What I have to do is continue to work with him.”
No QB controversy
» Sam Hollenbach might not have found the end zone in Saturday?s season opener, but he is an experienced offensive leader. In 2005, he threw 13 touchdowns while passing for 2,539 yards.
» Jordan Steffy was 0 for 5 passing Saturday. He is 12 for 37 for 132 yards in his career. He has tossed two interceptions and has yet to pass for a TD.
» The last starting quarterback to return for Maryland was Scott McBrien in 2003. McBrien had 5,169 career passing yards and 34 touchdowns in his career.
