Few D.C.-area college athletes have received as much fawning press as Danny O’Brien. Little wonder. The Maryland quarterback often seems too good to be true — a natural leader who’s unfailingly accommodating, talented, smart and driven. O’Brien has seemingly been prepared for everything he has encountered in College Park. When he had a rough Saturday, however, throwing three interceptions in a 37-31 loss to West Virginia, he wasn’t ready for the reaction.
“If you want a quick way to find out who your friends are, throw three picks in a game,” O’Brien said. “A lot less people in your corner after that.”
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O’Brien declined to say who was no longer in his circle of trust.
“You have a lot less text messages after a loss,” O’Brien said.
After dinner Saturday night with his family, O’Brien said he spent the rest of the evening studying film of the game — not once, not twice, but three times.
For a quarterback whose decision-making skills have been exemplary, playing poorly on a big stage was difficult for him to accept.
“It was a tough one to swallow,” O’Brien said. “Going through that and coming out the other side, I can’t wait to play again.”
If the past is an accurate barometer, expect to see the fruits of his corrective measures Saturday when Maryland (1-1) hosts Temple (2-1). Here are O’Brien’s stats after his previous three losses as a starter: 76-for-114 (67 percent) for 885 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.
“Danny’s gonna bounce back. He always does,” wideout Kerry Boykins said. “In my eyes he’s gonna be one of the greatest in the ACC.”
– Kevin Dunleavy
