Maryland Football: Not an ounce of doubt that Kasim Hill is ready
By Chris Bengel
Kasim Hill pushed Tyrrell Pigrome for the starting quarterback job throughout training camp.
In Saturday’s 51-41 win over Texas, Hill was forced in action after Pigrome suffered a leg injury. The coaching staff never doubted Hill’s abilities for a minute.
Aside from an interception that was returned back for a touchdown to start off the game, Pigrome was flawless running the offense for Maryland. It was definitely not an ideal scenario, but Hill didn’t seemed to be phased in the slightest.
Despite facing a 3rd-and-19, Hill delivered a strike to D.J. Moore to move the chains for the Terrapins. The former St. John’s College (D.C.) standout capped off the drive with a three-yard rushing touchdown to put Maryland up 44-34 with 7:36 to go.
“No one said a word, there was no one like, oh, no,” coach D.J. Durkin said. “Kasim came in there and was just, handled the moment. That’s a hard spot, true freshman coming into the game his first ever college football game on the road third and 19, he goes and strokes the ball to DJ Moore. So that tells you a little bit about him.”
It’s rare that a true freshman has to play in his first collegiate game, especially at the quarterback position. However, it was clear that Hill could see the field at some point this season given the staff’s high opinion of him.
“If Hill was ready,? Durkin added. “Yeah, there wasn’t an ounce of doubt. I mean, that’s how he’s been since the day he got here. It’s just him. He’s got that way about him, he’s got that “it” factor about him, for sure.”
Hill didn’t seem flustered in the slightest.
The Maryland signal caller completed all three of his passes for 44 yards while also rushing five times for 14 yards and a score. Hill remained calm in the pocket and wasn’t afraid to let the ball go.
Even in the guts of the game, Hill had the confidence of his teammates.
Next: Maryland Football: Three takeaways from Texas win
“No, it just stayed the same no matter what,” Moore said. “It’s just like how we practice. Everybody got the reps. He (Hill) got the reps with the ones, twos and threes. So when he went in, it was just like practice.”