The greatest comeback?
Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen has seen it happen before - an injured starting quarterback loses his job because of an injury.
In fact, Friedgen was reminded of it last week, when he received a phone call from a former Maryland player who was displaced as the Terps' starter.
His name is Frank Reich.
Maryland lost its first two games of the 1984 season under Reich, who was then injured. The Terps went on to win five of their next six games under the direction of Stan Gelbaugh. They went to play North Carolina, and since Frank was healthy, they put him in for mop-up duty at the end of the game.
When Friedgen came out of the UNC visitors' locker room, Frank's father was waiting for him.
"I went up to say hello to him," Friedgen said. "He wasn't real happy with me. He said, 'I thought you couldn't lose your job because of injury.' I said, 'Well, you know, you're talking like a father now instead of a coach. Right now it's hard for us to change because we're playing so good with Stan. But Frank's going to have to be ready. He'll have to come in and win a game for us."
"I said, 'Are you coming to the game next week?'" Friedgen said. "He said, 'I'm not driving all the way to Miami to see my kid sit on the bench.'"
(This is where you smile.)
With the Terps trailing 31-0 at halftime to defending national champion Miami Hurricanes, coach Bobby Ross inserted Reich in for Gelbaugh, and Reich completed 12 of 16 passes for 260 yards and three touchdowns, leading Maryland to an amazing 42-40 win.
The Terps hosted Clemson the following week.
"I come out of the locker room after the Clemson game and who's there waiting for me, Mr. Reich," Friedgen said. "He said, 'I want to know where is your crystal ball?'
"So yeah, I've had that," Friedgen said. "That's why I think competition is a great thing.
"Everybody wants me to just say this is the guy. But like I said earlier, that's a good sign. Because we might have two guys that make each other better. And I'm still going to keep it as a competitive situation. We'll just have to see how that goes."
In order for Jordan Steffy to win his job back from Chris Turner, though, he's going to have to make a Reich-like comeback of his own.
Comments
Great story Heather!! I remember that game like it was yesterday. Especially the long, tipped bomb to Greg Hill and the stunned Miami fans. That said, the only circumstance under which I'd be ok with seeing Jordan back behind center is if we're down 31 at halftime. And here's to hoping that does not happen. No offense to Steffy--he's a great competitor and a team guy--but right now Turner is the guy.
Posted by: AlexTerp | October 18, 2007 9:41 AM
I attended the Maryland/Miami game at the Orange Bowl in 1984 with a Cuban woman named Graziela. During the halftime intermission, I told Graziela that teamwork would lead the Terps back into the game. She responded, "no comprende anglais" and then made an off-color reference to the fit of Bernie Kosar's uniform. It was indeed a day to remember. I am optimistic that this Saturday will follow in the same path, although my ticker might not be able to handle another 31 point margin.
Alexterp, I could not help but notice your question on Ms. Dinich's previous entry relating to the Groh disinformation campaign. With regards to your dwarf nephew, I am afraid I can offer you no assistance. While my successful daughter is an expert in the field of biotechnology, I am a relatively simple man and my areas of expertise are limited to the sporting world. Perhaps the successes of my children indicate that I had an aptitude for more but you know what they say about teaching old dogs. I would venture to guess that there are fields of opportunity for your nephew even without the Human Genome Project though, for instance a Disney on Ice production of Snow White. Forgive the poor attempt at humor, I do not know if your nephew even knows how to skate.
Posted by: FredTerp44 | October 18, 2007 10:36 AM
ToT thinks FredTerp/AlexTerp has crashed and burned. End it.
Posted by: TerpsOnTop | October 18, 2007 11:46 AM
TOT - Amen!
Posted by: Heather D | October 18, 2007 12:21 PM
ToT, while I believe we share an affinity for the Lady Terps, I never thought much of your boasts about your participation in a ladies' recreational volleyball league but I made no efforts to censor you. Your tyrannical demand reminds me of the retired moderator Mr. Smiley. Please turn your attention back to your sweet, solipsistic existence and stop butting into my affairs.
Returning to the topic at hand, I would like to mention that I believe a key to Saturday's game is whether the appropriately named Maryland tackle Scott Burley can handle All-American candidate Chris Long coming off the edge. Heather, has Ralph mentioned whether he thinks the Terps will need to double team Long on passing downs? Jared Gaither had his way with Long two years ago, it's too bad he is not around to impose his will on Long once again.
Incidentally, before he became an A-List Hollywood movie star, Long's father Howie played at Byrd for Villanova in 1980. Villanova was a Division 1-A program at the time. Yours truly was in attendance as coach Jerry Claiborne's Terps were fortunate to prevail in a defensive struggle, 7-3, behind the efforts of running back Charlie Wysocki.
Posted by: FredTerp44 | October 18, 2007 12:33 PM
AMEN!
Posted by: AlexTerp | October 18, 2007 1:16 PM
Sorry, but the FredTerp44 and AlexTerp stuff never gets old to me.
Posted by: Vandwagon | October 18, 2007 1:25 PM
Sure competition is a great thing, but player this was an error in player evaluation. Both Reich and Gelbaugh were talented (NFL) QB's. Jordan with all his wonderful qualities in not an NFL caliber QB.
Posted by: Darnel | October 18, 2007 1:25 PM
I think even you Heather might be closet rooting if the UVa. quaterback's last name was Dinich so I'll be pulling for my nephew [ of a different color ] on Sat. Tonight S. Florida is minus 3 / 53. Terps are a solid 4 poiont favorite. The Red Sox are [ if you are in Vegas ] You must lay $125 to win $100 . If you take Cleveland and lay $100 you win $115 or lose what you bet [ $100 ]. Got it!
Posted by: Herbie | October 18, 2007 3:29 PM
Ok...I've been reading for a few months, but I don't read allthe comments on all the posts. Can someone fill me in on the FredTerp/AlexTerp story? is there some pattern behind the random bolded words?
Posted by: Dan | October 18, 2007 4:02 PM
I remember the game vividly. One of the greatest comebacks in college football history. Steffy just might have to pull a Frank Reich to get his starting job back. As long as chris Turner plays well, why give the job back to Steffy. If you get hurt then tough you lose your job if someone performs better. If you don't want to lose your job stay healthy.
Posted by: Dave | October 18, 2007 4:05 PM
what a game. I was 16 yrs old, working one of those street side flower sales gigs, with my radio on and my butt freezing. i can't remember who called the games on WBAL back then but thak goodness it wasn't johnnie holiday. i think it was vince bagli and jim west. people were driving by wondering why i was muttering and then shouting each time we scored to come back.
how about kosar flipping the #1 sign as he went into the locker room. what a jerk. i can't remember which covington brother (keeta or al) that stuffed the 2 point conversion to tie, but my bladder gave way at that point!
Posted by: Rob | October 18, 2007 4:45 PM
I remember the Miami game like it was yesterday, and occasionally watch my old VHS tape of it just to make sure it really happened. People can talk all they want about Flutie Hail Marys, but Maryland's comeback from 31-0 against the defending national champions on their field---I defy you to name a bigger comeback. As far as losing your job to injury, you have to look at fairness in two ways. Yes, it seems unfair for Jordan to lose the job he has worked so diligently for to injury. He's a great guy and good teammate who we should all wish the best for. He is a class act all the way (see the Terrapins Rising TV show). But you have to be fair to the team, and that requires fielding the players that give the team the best chance to win. All the players work hard and you have to be fair to the whole group.
Posted by: Craig Clagett | October 19, 2007 1:05 PM