Perhaps no statistic related to Maryland is getting glossed over like Danny O'Brien's aversion to interceptions.
Certainly, the Terrapins' turnover margin is as critical a factor as any other in their 4-1 start; it surely isn't a menacing yardage advantage over opponents. Red zone defense also receives its due, especially after the five stops of Navy in the season opener.
O'Brien, besides a fumble on his first career snap, has avoided turnovers in his first season. Already, he has 63 passes without an interception. That isn't any sort of Maryland record --- Chris Turner had a streak of 132 straight attempts without a pick two years ago --- but it's impressive, especially for a team that can't afford to give away whatever advantages it can find.
"The biggest thing right now, touchdown-to-interception ratio, we're leading the conference," offensive coordinator James Franklin said. "He's protecting the football. He's making plays. I think he left some plays out there on the field [against Duke], but the reality is there's a lot of quarterbacks around the country that are making plays to lose the game for their team. He hasn't done that. There's still some plays I think he can make for us that he's made in the past. We just have to do it on a more consistent basis."
O'Brien's stretch is already the second-longest without an interception to start a season in Ralph Friedgen's 10 years at Maryland. Only Jamarr Robinson's run of 85 attempts without a pick last year is longer --- and O'Brien might have a chance to surpass that total Saturday at Clemson.
A look at the longest strings of attempts by a Maryland quarterback to open a season without an interception since 2001 (*-no interceptions all season):
85: Jamarr Robinson (2009)*
63: Danny O'Brien (2010)
60: Shaun Hill (2001)
47: Chris Turner (2009)
36: Sam Hollenbach (2004)*
34: Sam Hollenbach (2006)
31: Jordan Steffy (2004)
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