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Maryland turns to a freshman linebacker after losing four quarterbacks to season-ending injuries

Maryland can't seem to catch a break.

After a season wrought with injuries at the quarterback position, the Terps have lost another one.

Caleb Rowe, a true freshman who had been placed into service after three starters were lost to season-ending injuries, suffered a torn ACL during last weekend's loss to Boston College. Rowe is the third Maryland quarterback to suffer an ACL tear this year.

"It's very unusual," Maryland coach Randy Edsall said. "I don't know something like this has ever happened to a team at that position. With this team, they understand and they feel bad for Caleb, but they know we still have games that we want to win. Everyone will have to do their part to contribute a little more and do a little more."

Senior C.J. Brown tore his ACL during noncontact drills on Aug. 15. True freshman Perry Hills suffered a torn ACL in the first half against North Carolina on Oct. 20, and his replacement, Devin Burns, suffered a foot injury during the same game.

With no one left in the quarterbacking bullpen, the Terps have turned to true freshman linebacker Shawn Petty as the team's starter and tight end Brian McMahon as the remaining quarterback option on the roster.

The Terps do have quarterback transfers Ricardo Young and Dustin Dailey on the roster, but they're ineligible to play because of NCAA transfer rules.

Petty played quarterback at Eleanor Roosevelt High in Greenbelt, Md., and was an all-county selection, but came to Maryland as a defensive player and didn't start learning the quarterbacking playbook until Hills and Burns went down. This will be Petty's first go at quarterback since December 2011.

Maryland is 4-4 this season, but will need a yeoman's effort to become bowl eligible with Georgia Tech, Clemson, Florida State and North Carolina remaining on the schedule.

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