By: Max Marcilla

Maryland football head coach DJ Durkin was the bearer of bad news on Tuesday: quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome will miss the remainder of the 2017 season after he tore his ACL in Week 1.

Pigrome, who edged out true freshman Kasim Hill in the quarterback competition, started against Texas in Maryland’s 51-41 victory. The sophomore quarterback completed 9-of-12 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns against Texas while rushing for 64 yards and another score.

“I was really proud of him, how he went out there and responded and played,” Durkin said on Tuesday. “I think he showed everyone what he is capable of doing. He was really, really good in the vertical passing game down the field, and running the ball he was very effective that way too.”

Toward the end of the third quarter, Pigrome scrambled for a short gain before injuring his leg on the cut. He was seen on the sideline walking with a limp, but was unable to return to the game.

Hill replaced Pigrome and completed the upset victory, converting a critical 3rd-and-19 and rushing for a touchdown in the final quarter. The St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.) product was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

“[Kasim has] been a veteran guy since day one when he got here,” Durkin said. “All last week he prepared like he was the starter, and you could see when he went in the game. There was no drop-off.”

In other injury news, Durkin revealed edge rusher Jesse Aniebonam will miss “several months” after breaking his ankle against Texas. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday and there is no timetable for his return. Aniebonam left Maryland’s season-opening game in the second half and did not return. Prior to the injury, the senior recorded a pair of tackles.

In 2016, the BUCK linebacker was a vital member of Maryland’s front seven, recording a team-high 14 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. Aniebonam could be replaced by junior Melvin Keihn, who recorded 24 tackles as a redshirt sophomore last season.