10 days ago
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's hopes of upsetting No. 20 Virginia Tech on Saturday might hinge on the play of sophomore quarterback Jamarr Robinson, who could receive his first career start in place of injured senior Chris Turner. Robinson played for the first time last week after Turner hurt his knee in the second quarter of a 38-31 loss to North Carolina State. Turner's status for the Virginia Tech game is questionable, but coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday that Robinson would see action regardless of Turner's health. "I thought Jamarr got better as the game went on Saturday," Friedgen said. "He'll definitely play." Robinson ran for 38 yards on nine carries against the Wolfpack and was 5 of 11 for 27 yards through the air. If the Terrapins (2-7, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) are to win with Robinson, he must be more versatile than he appeared in his debut. "He's got to be able to throw the ball as well as run it," Friedgen said. Maryland wide receiver Torrey Smith fully anticipates Maryland to delve deep into its offensive playbook against the heavily favored Hokies (6-3, 3-2). "Jamarr knows the whole offense. He prepares every week as if he's going to be the starter, because in this game you're only one play away from getting in, and that one play happened Saturday," Smith said. "He's ready for the challenge. He's my roommate, so I get in his ear all the time. He's focused. He's approaching this week a whole lot different." Neither Turner or Robinson were made available to the media during Friedgen's weekly news conference Tuesday. But several players expressed confidence in both quarterbacks, even though Turner is a three-year starter and Robinson has a half game of experience. If Turner can't go, Friedgen might end the redshirt season of one of his freshmen backups, Danny O'Brien or C.J. Brown. "I can go to war with any four of those quarterbacks and be fine," wide receiver Adrian Cannon said. "I have all the confidence in the world in those guys. I know what they do on a daily basis, and you play like you practice." The Maryland coaching staff put in a package for Robinson last week that best utilized his ability to run, but the 6-foot, 190-pounder was on his own in terms of taking charge in the huddle. "We were kind of slow getting to the line, and he took control, getting in guy's faces," center Phil Costa said. "You don't usually see that from a backup or somebody who doesn't feel comfortable, but he obviously feels comfortable in there." Said Smith: "Jamarr is a quarterback. He's not one of those athletic guys who just runs around. He can throw the ball. He's got the strongest arm on the team. He can throw the ball and he's pretty accurate. The biggest thing for him is playing fast, understanding the coverages and all that. But the game's slowed down for him, so it will be fun to see what happens Saturday." Friedgen believes that if Robinson gets off to a good start, the rest will come easy. "If he has some early success, I think that would help a lot," Friedgen said. "Which is not easy against this defense." Turner isn't ready to hand over the reins without a fight. He ranks second in school history in yards passing, has started 21 straight games and is 5-2 lifetime against ranked teams. If there's a way he can get on the field Saturday, he almost certainly will. "He's definitely up. His emotion hasn't changed one bit," Cannon said. "I'm looking forward to him coming back this week and playing."
