Maryland's next up at QB: A true freshman linebacker
Eventually, after enough quarterbacks have suffered torn ACLs and Lisfranc fractures, a team enters 18th-inning territory: It's time for an outfielder to come in and pitch.
Maryland has exhausted its bullpen. After Caleb Rowe tore his ACL during Saturday's loss to Boston College, the Terrapins have no other option than to hand the offense over to true freshman Shawn Petty.
True freshman linebacker Shawn Petty.
It's been that kind of year for Randy Edsall and Maryland. "It's very unusual," said Edsall of his quarterback situation. "I don't know something like this has ever happened to a team at that position."
The Terps' injury woes began in August, when the team lost its would-be starter to a knee injury. The injury rundown:
Aug. 15: Senior C.J. Brown tears his ACL during a non-contact drill. Brown became the undisputed starter after Danny O'Brien transferred to Wisconsin in March.
Oct. 20: True freshman Perry Hills, Brown's replacement, tears his ACL in the first half against North Carolina State.
Oct. 20: Sophomore Devin Burns, Hills' replacement, suffers a foot injury.
Oct. 27: Rowe, a true freshman, tears his ACL during the second-to-last play against Boston College.
With five quarterbacks down and another two ineligible to play (transfers Ricardo Young and Dustin Dailey), Edsall and his staff have no other option than to put Petty under center for Saturday's game against Georgia Tech.
Petty has played a little quarterback before – in high school. Hey, at least he's a true freshman; it should still be fresh. As a senior, Petty was an all-county selection at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Md.
(What would Mrs. Roosevelt say in a situation such as this? "Do one thing every day that scares you," perhaps.)
Here's Petty in action as a quarterback:
And what will Maryland do if Petty gets hurt? If Petty goes the way of Brown, Hills, Burns and Rowe, Edsall would turn to true freshman Brian McMahon. True freshman tight end Brian McMahon. It's funny, just not to Maryland.