Dec. 16, 2003
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Four years ago, Scott McBrien figured he would end his college football career by leading West Virginia to victory in a New Year's Day bowl game.
His calculation turned out correct - to a degree. McBrien and the Mountaineers are in the Gator Bowl, but his goal is to make sure West Virginia loses.
After receiving only one start as a freshman quarterback at West Virginia in 2000, McBrien transferred to Maryland. He landed the starting job and now intends to close a spectacular two-year run by defeating the team that recruited him.
"That's a good way to end it," McBrien says. "I've got a lot of good friends on that team. To be on the field with them once again will be something special."
Ineligible in 2001 because of the NCAA transfer rule, McBrien watched from the sideline as Maryland beat West Virginia in 2001. The left-hander orchestrated a 48-17 rout of the Mountaineers in 2002, then led the Terrapins to a 34-7 victory over his former school in September.
McBrien has never spoken harshly about his experience at the school. He simply found a better place to play and became a polished quarterback under Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen.
"I never could have imagined having the success that I've had with this football team," McBrien says. "That's something that I wasn't even looking forward to when I left West Virginia. Forget the whole scholarship deal. I was just happy to walk on."
McBrien had to fight to win the job before the 2001 season, but five months later he led Maryland to a 30-3 rout of Tennessee in the Peach Bowl. In only two seasons, McBrien has put up numbers that compare with some of the school's other top quarterbacks, including Boomer Esiason, Neil O'Donnell and Frank Reich.
McBrien's 20 wins are the most by any Maryland quarterback over a two-year stretch, and his 31 touchdown passes rank third on the career list. This season he has an impressive 137.1 quarterback rating, throwing for 2,291 yards and 16 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
McBrien, 6-foot and 190 pounds, probably doesn't have an NFL future because of his size. But his stint at Maryland has given him enough football memories to last a lifetime.
"Just being a part of team that's won 30 games in three years, it's a tremendous accomplishment for me personally and for the senior class," he says. "I wasn't here when they weren't doing so hot, but we've really come a long way."
