Sometimes, you can go home again. This was the lesson that Maryland senior quarterback Scott McBrien found out last year. McBrien, a native of Rockville, Md, signed to play football at West Virginia out of Dematha High School. After a coaching change, however, McBrien soon found himself at the bottom of the depth chart with few prospects of ever playing. McBrien decided a change of scenery was necessary.
However, a transfer to Maryland did not translate into better playing prospects. McBrien found himself without a scholarship and on the scout team. All this while the Terrapins went on to win the ACC and play in the Orange Bowl behind the arm of then-senior Shaun Hill.
"It was the first year I hadn't played...not being able to play on Saturdays was hard for me," McBrien said. However, the scout team experience proved to be invaluable for McBrien. "I got to learn the offense without any pressure. I think that was one thing that helped me out a lot," he said.
Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen's offense would be tough for Stephen Hawking to understand, so a year behind the scenes was very helpful for McBrien. Friedgen, himself was also integral to the development of McBrien. "He's such a demanding coach; he makes you a better person and a better football player," McBrien said.
Under the tutelage of the coach they call "The Fridge", McBrien has blossomed into a starter and a team leader for the Terps. He has matured into a dangerous double threat in Friedgen's scheme, being able to both pass the ball in the pocket and run the option effectively. Duke coach Carl Franks thinks highly of McBrien.
"He's a winner...he has to do a lot of different stuff. They run the option and then they get the play action passes" Franks said. "He comes up with some big plays for them. He's just a winner."
The highlight of McBrien's collegiate career came last year when he was awarded the Peach Bowl MVP in Maryland's 30-3 thumping of perennial power Tennessee. This year, McBrien's success has been directly tied to the Terps' achievements. In the two losses to open the year, McBrien completed less than 43 percent of his passes while only throwing 171 yards. In the Terps' victories, he has averaged 213. 5 yards a game while throwing five touchdown passes.
"It's all right there, if we keep working with each other, stick together...we feel we can reach [our] goals and really become a great football team in Maryland history."
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