Terp ME Undergrad Athletes Fuel the Fall Season

Mechanical Engineering sophomore Sam Hollenbach threw for 164 yards in his first college start and Maryland's defense redeemed itself with an impressive performance in a 13-7 victory over Wake Forest on Saturday, November 27.

Hollenbach, who spent most of the season as the third quarterback on the depth chart, went 16-for-27 with no interceptions. The sophomore started ahead of the ineffective Joel Statham and injured second-stringer Jordan Steffy.

In the second quarter, Hollenbach engineered a 13-play drive that produced a 22-yard field goal by Kicker Nick Novak and a 10-0 lead with 2:27 left.

Sam’s plays are memorized in addition to digesting thermodynamics, electrodynamics physics, differential equations, and any other course required in earning a mechanical engineering degree. “I’m most interested in the area of cars, what makes them work and how we can make them more efficient and effective. I would like to get involved in the design aspect of cars some day,” says Hollenbach.

Does Sam see any similarities between engineering and football? “There are definitely similarities between the two. Both require major discipline mentally. Also, both are very competitive, and that requires that you stay focused on the material and not get side-tracked or you will not make it. In my opinion, to be successful in football and engineering, there must be a high level of commitment. If you have that, you can do it.”

Hollenbach played well, but the Terrapins won because of a defense that had yielded 55 points in its previous outing against Virginia Tech. Wake Forest's only touchdown came on a 28-yard drive following a turnover.

In other Terp ME news, undergraduates Defender Ellis Welker and Goalkeeper Craig Salvati join the men’s soccer team advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals on November 28 with a thrilling 5-4 win in penalty kicks over 14th-seeded Creighton Sunday afternoon at Ludwig Field. The Terps will face St. John's on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. at Ludwig Field. The winner of that game will advance to the College Cup in Carson, California.

Published November 27, 2004