Terps’ QB duel tightens

Maryland’s quarterback competition is murky once again.

The Terrapins ended spring practice yesterday with backup quarterback Sam Hollenbach outplaying starter Joel Statham in the White team’s 33-7 victory over the Red before 18,238 at Byrd Stadium.

Hollenbach led White to a 19-0 halftime lead against reserves before throwing a touchdown against the starting defense in the third quarter after he switched sides. Statham threw three interceptions against the top defense before getting two touchdowns against reserves.

Coach Ralph Friedgen said he’ll consider both passers and incoming freshman Jordan Steffy when fall practice begins Aug.10. Previously, Friedgen said Statham was the starter entering the spring game.

“That gap may have narrowed,” Friedgen said. “I don’t think Joel has that position sewn up.”

Hollenbach completed nine of 21 for 103 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and another score was dropped by tight end Rob Abiamiri. Hollenbach’s most impressive drive came against the starters at the start of the second half. Red went 70 yards on 13 plays capped by a 24-yard touchdown reception by running back Josh Allen.

“It was a great finish to spring practice and hopefully gives me some momentum for the fall,” he said. “[The starting job is] definitely up in the air.”

Statham finished 11 of 16 for 122 yards but was only 6-for-11 for 28 yards with three picks against starters, including cornerback Gerrick McPhearson’s 69-yard touchdown interception. Statham conceded that he was nervous early.

“I just got all the jitters out [in the first half],” he said. “I was trying to be too perfect. In the second half, I just went out there and played. I have all summer to work through, so hopefully all that stuff from the first half will be gone.”

Said Friedgen: “Joel was trying to force things in the first half. He was trying to make big plays instead of what the defense gives him.”

Tight end Vernon Davis caught two touchdowns from Statham following a halftime conversation during which Davis calmed the passer.

“He was a little nervous. I was a little nervous, too,” Davis said. “We just tried to keep each other up. If I made a mistake, Statham would say, ’Vernon, just keep going. Don’t worry about what the coaches say,’ and I said the same to him.”

Friedgen was pleased that both passers settled down in the second half.

“A lot of times when guys have it tough in the first half, they go in the tank and don’t come back,” he said.

Many young players appeared intimidated by their first game at Byrd before what is believed to be a record spring crowd. Six turnovers and two missed kicks by Dan Ennis before halftime showed the inexperience.

“I think the young players were very nervous,” Friedgen said. “We hadn’t played like that all spring.”

Maryland’s defense outplayed its offensive counterparts with five interceptions while forcing a goal-line fumble. Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson had two interceptions although hampered most of the spring with a strained hamstring. Safety Chris Kelley picked off one pass and batted two others. Linebacker Tim Cesa led the Terps with seven tackles and one sack, and linebacker Jon Condo had two sacks and two tackles for losses.