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Maryland Football: Perry Hills Dark Horse in Terps’ QB Race

By Brandon Austin

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Oct 18, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins quarterback Perry Hills (11) scrambles when pressured by Iowa Hawkeyes Louis Trinca-Pasat (90) at Byrd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Maryland Terrapins head coach Randy Edsall has yet to name the team’s starting quarterback for the 2015-16 season. Reason being, no one player has particularly broke away from the pack. The Terps have had a three-way quarterback competition this offseason, featuring juniors Caleb Rowe and Perry Hills, as well as Oklahoma State transfer Daxx Garman. Rowe has largely been projected to be the Terps’ starter at the beginning of the season, with Garman giving him a run for his money. However, the player who has stood out the most as of late is Hills, and he should be considered a dark horse to win the job.

Maryland held their annual Fan Appreciation Day open scrimmage on Saturday and Hills certainly made the most of his opportunities. Edsall notified Hills that he would be running the first-team offense just hours before the scrimmage was set to begin. Hills has been the most impressive of the three in the first two weeks of practice and he was rewarded for his hard work. Considered as an underdog by many, Hills relished this moment. “It kind of actually pushes me harder, kind of being the underdog,” he stated. 

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Hills has a chip on his shoulder and that chip became evident after his performance in Saturday’s scrimmage. On the opening drive, Hills led the offense down the field, capping things off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Levern Jacobs.

This was a great way to start the day, but he would later make a mistake. It was third down and Hills attempted to make an extremely difficult throw, rolling out and then launching it across his body. The pass ended up in the hands of no other than All-Big Ten cornerback Will Likely.

Hills used poor judgment on that play, but he would eventually bounce back, finding tight end Avery Edwards for a 12-yard toss to cap off and 80-yard drive.

Hills’ performance in the scrimmage was pretty up-and-down, but he did show flashes of what he’s capable of. Despite throwing two interceptions, he displayed good pocket presence and the ability to lead the offense down the field. Hills cannot get caught up in winning the game for the Terps because that’s not necessarily what they’ll need him to do. He needs to just go through his progressions, make smart throws, and limit his mistakes.

Maryland’s quarterback battle is far from over, but with just two weeks to go until the opening game of the season, someone must stake their claim on the starting job. Given the fact that Hills got the nod on Saturday, the Terps’ starting quarterback position should be considered as up for grabs.

Next: Keys to Success for Terps Football in 2015

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