By David Knox, Sports Editor
Maryland true freshman quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome replaced the injured Perry Hills and scored a touchdown on his first play, but the former Clay-Chalkville star couldn’t lead the Terrapins over Penn State.
The Terps (4-1) lost their first game of the season 38-14.
Hills, a fifth-year senior, had driven the Terps deep into Penn State territory before hurting his shoulder. As he did in a win at UCF, when he ran for a 24-yard touchdown on his first snap to win the game in overtime, Pigrome ran for a 7-yard touchdown on his first play against the Nittany Lions.
Maryland coach D.J. Durkin said on a conference call Monday he was proud of the way Pigrome played. Durkin said Pigrome showed poise while rushing 10 times for 39 yards and going 5-of-9 passing for 28 yards.
The team didn’t change its game plan with Pigrome under center because Durkin said he and Hills have similar styles, but the Terps tried simplifying the calls to make Pigrome‘s reads simpler.
“The biggest thing for him, with any young quarterback, is just the decision making,” Durkin said. “Putting the ball in the right place and not throwing in harm’s way.“
Asked if Pigrome is still a work in progress, Durkin said, “We’re all a work in progress, our whole team. There’s plenty to improve on.”
Pigrome’s TD cut the deficit to 17-14 with under a minute in ther first half, but Penn State answered with a quick score before the break.
Durkin said Pigrome continued to show poise for a freshman.
“I do like how he came in, he doesn’t get too high or too low, he kind of stays even keel, which you like out of your quarterback,” Durkin said. “I thought he did some really good things.
“There’s definitely things he and we can all do better and clean up. But it’s good. He’s got playing time in just about every game, which will definitely help us in the long run.”
For the season, Alabama’s 2015 Gatorade Player of the Year has rushed 24 times for 127 yards, a 5,3 yard per carry average, and has scored three touchdowns. He is 11-for-21 passing for 104 yards and a TD with no interceptions. He’s played in all five games.
Hills is day-to-day, but Durkin expects him to play in Saturday’s home game against Minnesota, which will air on ESPNU at 11 a.m. CDT. Pigrome is expected to see playing time as well.
One Comment
Chris Hallmark
We need to quit letting these guys get out of state.