It’s the year of the pig in Terps town. Sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome was named Maryland’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s season opener at Texas. The man nicknamed “Piggy” beat out freshman Kasim Hill and sophomore Max Bortenschlager in the training camp competition. North Carolina transfer Caleb Henderson has a foot injury.
“Tyrrell did a great job through this camp. That’s how he earned the job,” said Terps head coach DJ Durkin. “I feel very good about several guys at that position.”
Pigrome is set to make his second career start this weekend. He’s known as a run first QB but Coach Durkin said all options are on the table, including the deep ball.
“He’s the quarterback. The playbook is open and he’s going to do whatever we need to do to win the game,” said the head coach.
The players in front of Piggy have his back.
“He’s just more aware of what’s going on on the field. He’s more conceptually sound. He became more detailed and more mature,” said Terps running back Ty Johnson.
“He can run. He can pass too. Honestly, I trust him behind me and I think we’re going to get a lot of things done on offense this year. It’s pretty exciting,” said Terps center Brendan Moore.
Pigrome and the Terrapins will be tested right out of the gates. The Longhorns are ranked No. 23 in the country, they have a new head coach in former Houston head man Tom Herman and they’ve won 17 consecutive home openers. Brendan Moore grew up just ten minutes from the Austin campus.
“It’s a great thing to be able to go down there and face such a respectable team with a respectable story,” said Moore.
As for the home opener for the 125th season of Maryland football, that happens on Saturday, Sept. 9 when the Terps welcome in the Towson Tigers.
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