Sept. 20, 2011

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By Sean Ellenby, Maryland Athletics Media Relations

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Down 24-23 with 3:56 remaining in a feverish season opener against Miami, quarterback Danny O'Brien confidently jogged onto the rain-soaked Byrd Stadium field.

After a Justus Pickett rush for no gain on first down, O'Brien lined up for the snap and saw wideout Kevin Dorsey matched up in one-on-one coverage.

The sophomore quarterback dropped back and floated a 52-yard pass into the outstretched arms of Dorsey, putting Maryland in position to kick the gamewinning field goal.

"We were really confident and we just said to each other we've been driving on them all game, let's just finish this one," said O'Brien, who completed 31 of 44 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown in the game. "I had a pretty good idea pre-snap that I was going to go to Dorsey and Miami gave us the look I thought they were going to give us. Dorsey did the rest."

The victory was a meaningful one for the signal caller. The face of a new era of Maryland football, O'Brien displayed the poise to thrive in front of a nationally-televised audience and the seventh-largest crowd in Byrd Stadium's 61- year history.

"It was the most fun and best experience that I've had at Byrd Stadium since I've been here," O'Brien said. "It's why you play college football."

Since taking the reins as quarterback four games into last season, the young quarterback has quickly become a College Park sensation through a relentless work ethic and a dedicated willingness to learn.

"All Danny wants to do is continue to get better at everything and he's a guy that strives for perfection," head coach Randy Edsall said this summer. "He knows he's still not at the level he wants to be and the level that his ability allows him to play at."

Last season, O'Brien began the year as the backup quarterback, but quickly earned his chance to start after an injury to then-starter Jamarr Robinson. He made the most of the opportunity and never relinquished the position, starting the season's final 10 games.

"I busted my butt my [redshirt] freshman year to kind of get a good understanding of the offense," O'Brien said. "I just took the mentality that I'm never going to come out [of the game] again."

That competitive mentality led O'Brien to become the most prolific freshman quarterback in Maryland history, earning the 2010 ACC Rookie of the Year award and freshman All-America honors.

The freshman phenom played like a veteran, throwing for 22 touchdown passes - second most in one season in Maryland history - against only eight interceptions.

Fantastic decision making and strong leadership in the pocket has been key to the success of the Kernersville, N.C. native.

"I'm pretty vocal on the sideline, but it's more through my actions because I feel like any quarterback that wants to be respected has to do that," O'Brien said. "I just think I make good decisions for the most part."

Star safety/linebacker Kenny Tate has played a critical role in O'Brien's development and success. The pair have played together the last two seasons and built a strong relationship on and off the field.

"I think just having that friendship off the field makes playing with Kenny fun and we get after each other in practice and really compete," O'Brien said. "I tell everyone he's the best defensive player that I've ever gone against in my short career so far and going against that type of athlete makes you better."

O'Brien takes pride in his academics, as well, and originally came to the University of Maryland for its strong academics.

"I knew I wanted to go to a school where my degree would mean something after I got done playing," O'Brien said. "I knew I wanted to get into the business school."

He was accepted into the prestigious Robert H. Smith School of Business at the beginning of the semester and even had an internship with Under Armour over the summer.

O'Brien is excited about the direction of the program under Edsall. The new head coach has brought a hard-nosed style that the quarterback thinks will pay off.

"Coach Edsall commanded our respect from the beginning and now that we've kind of gone full circle from spring ball to training camp and now winning our first game with him, things don't feel new anymore," O'Brien said. "We love and respect Coach Edsall now.

He's our leader unquestionably and we know he's going to lead us to big things.

"I think the new era is exciting because we have a lot of talent, but also a lot of humility and a lot of drive that goes on behind the scenes," O'Brien said.

For now, though, O'Brien and the Terrapins have one goal in mind: an ACC title. The signal caller is determined to turn the goal into a reality after falling short last season.

"Our goal is to win the ACC title and we're not going to settle for anything less," O'Brien said. "We know that's going to come by playing a week at a time and by playing 12 one-week seasons."

Printed in the Maryland Gameday Program - Sept. 17