Maryland QB Hills To Have MRI On Knee Monday
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Maryland quarterback Perry Hills will have an MRI on Monday to determine the damage to his injured left knee.
Hills was carted off the field in the second quarter of Saturday's game against North Carolina State. The true freshman was trying to make a tackle after on an interception when he was bowled over by Wolfpack linebacker Rickey Dowdy, who was called for an illegal block to the back.
"Just disappointed for Perry, and very disappointed in the way the block took place as well," Terrapins coach Randy Edsall said Sunday.
Although Hills was obviously in pain, he couldn't stand the thought of not finishing what he started.
"At halftime I saw him, and he just wanted to put a brace on and go and compete," Edsall said. "That's what you love about him."
Edsall said Sunday he would wait for the result of the MRI before deciding how to proceed. Devin Burns subbed for Hills, and third-stringer Caleb Rowe played the final series of the 20-18 defeat.
"I'd rather not make any statements in regard to his injury until we have all the information," Edsall said.
Hills stepped into the starter's role after incumbent C.J. Brown tore a knee ligament in August. With Hills calling the signals, Maryland went 4-2.
Burns, a sophomore, rushed for 50 yards and completed 3 of 4 passes for 47 yards. He wasn't even on the depth chart at quarterback at the beginning of summer practice and ran only two plays this season before being pressed into action.
Burns moved from quarterback to wide receiver in the spring of 2011, then switched back to quarterback during preseason camp after Brown's injury.
Rowe, a true freshman who is perceived to be a better passer than Burns, entered his first college game with the Terrapins down 20-18 and needing to move into field goal range with 32 seconds left. He directed a 60-yard drive that ended with a 33-yard field goal try that bounced off the left upright.
Edsall was delighted with the way both backup quarterbacks played.
"The thing that I was very happy about was the fact that each of those guys was ready to go in and do the job that was asked of them," he said.
If Hills can't play Saturday at Boston College, Edsall will decide during the week how to use Burns and Rowe.
"We'll take a look at what gives us the best opportunity," the coach said.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
