Maryland football is down to a linebacker and a tight end as its top two quarterbacks

“No, I don’t feel jinxed,” Coach Randy Edsall said. “I think it’s one of those situations this year that we’re a little bit unlucky at the quarterback position. I think if you take a look historically at teams throughout the years, you’re probably going to lose maybe two to five players a year with knee injuries. For us it just happens that we lost our quarterbacks.”

Of course, that’s what makes this situation so baffling. Petty, who will continue to wear No. 31 when the Yellow Jackets arrive this weekend, was a three-year starter under Green at Eleanor Roosevelt, where he ran the triple option and zone-read schemes similar to Maryland offensive coordinator Mike Locksley’s system. He boasts a linebacker’s frame, sculpted like a truck, wears an eternal smile and spent all but the past week learning the Terps’ defense. But once Burns went down, Petty and tight end Brian McMahon, himself a former high school quarterback at Atholton High School, made the switch.

Now Petty, a left-handed bruiser who drew comparisons from teammates to Tim Tebow — at least in body type and playing style — will become the fourth quarterback in three games to take snaps from Mulrooney.

Petty’s big chance

Before 2012, the Terps had started just two true freshmen quarterbacks in team history, and none since 1999. Petty will be Maryland’s third true freshman starter this season.

“For him to start the year as a linebacker, then be the backup quarterback, then the next day it gets announced you’ll start?” said Ray Petty, Shawn’s father and the defensive coordinator at Howard University. “Just a perfect storm.”

Rowe, who brought the Terps back from a 13-0 second-half deficit against Boston College only to fall 20-17, felt healthy until he woke up Sunday morning and found his left knee stiff as a board. After visiting team trainers and undergoing a hasty MRI, Rowe phoned his father and broke the news. “I said, ‘It’s not funny, Caleb,’ ” Dave Rowe recalled. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Who would? Three quarterbacks suffering season-ending injuries was maddening enough, but at least a wiry gunslinger from South Carolina remained. Rowe endured similar growing pains as Hills did in his debut against William & Mary — each threw three interceptions — but still flashed drastic improvements during the second half, completing 23 of 42 passes in the game for 240 yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yarder to Stefon Diggs that gave Maryland a 17-13 lead.

That came just one week after Terps fans held their breath while Hills writhed on the Byrd Stadium turf, his season ripped away when his left leg brutally jammed into the turf. Burns starred in the second half, opening up running lanes and breathing life into the Terps offense, while Rowe nearly finished the job before Brad Craddock’s potential game-winner smacked the left upright.

And so the Terps, still boasting a .500 record but on a two-game losing streak, officially enter “nothing to lose” territory, turning to another true freshman, one who long ago gave up dreams of becoming a college quarterback because he and his father figured that linebacker offered the best chance for greater playing time.

“He played quarterback in high school and I think he really feels like he’s a quarterback at heart,” Edsall said of Petty. “I know he’s looking forward to the opportunity to go out there and play, and we’re excited for him. He wants to play really, really well, so he can stay as a quarterback.”

He has to. The Terrapins have no choice.

More on the Terrapins:

First series will be key against Georgia Tech

Terps committed to Petty at quarterback

Technique is Craddock’s biggest issue

Terps women reach ACC soccer semifinals

Rowe tears ACL, will miss rest of season