East Stroudsburg (Pa.) University quarterback Jimmy Terwilliger seemed unprepared when he heard his name announced as the winner of the 2005 Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.

But just like any good quarterback, Terwilliger does his best work when improvising. Terwilliger accepted his award and proceeded to give an impromptu eight-minute speech naming everybody who helped him achieve success at ESU, from every member of his offensive line to his two sisters. When he concluded the speech, Terwilliger received a standing ovation from the 500 audience members.

Terwilliger, ESU’s record-breaking quarterback, had demonstrated once again why he’s one of the most selfless athletes in college football.

The senior holds a handful of Division II records, including the all-time record for passing yards and touchdowns. Yet the key to Terwilliger’s success is his easygoing, trustworthy nature and the way he appreciates everyone who walks into his life.

‘(My best times were) all the relationships I’ve developed with my team,’ Terwilliger said. ‘These are guys who will be at my wedding. I won’t remember scores, but I can tell you my friends and the people and what kinds of guys they are.’

The star passer is all about relationships, the closest of which is with the team’s offensive coordinator, Terwilliger’s father Mike Terwilliger.

The former Warriors quarterback, who enters his 29th season as an assistant coach, has spent more years roaming the ESU sideline than Terwilliger has been alive. So it was no surprise his son, who grew up in an atmosphere saturated with Warrior pride, decided to attend East Stroudsburg. While most teenagers look to escape parental authority, Terwilliger relished the opportunity to be coached by his old man.

‘Being able to play for my pop has meant the world to me,’ Terwilliger said. ‘A lot of people said it’d be real hard. It’s been nothing but great for everybody. He’s been a great coach and an even better father.’

Of course, football is a constant topic of discourse between father and son. The younger Terwilliger confessed that occasionally gameplan-related arguments will surface during a family dinner. But it’s all a result of an intense enthusiasm for the game. But despite this fervor, football never encroaches on paternal bonding. The coach and his star pupil have been known to go fishing or turkey hunting on the morning of a crucial match-up.

Still, when game time rolls around, it’s all business. Warriors head coach Denny Douds said one could never guess their relationship from watching an ESU football game.

‘(Terwilliger) is a highly competitive individual,’ Douds said. ‘If there was ever a role model for Division II players, he’d be the standard bearer of it. He plays the game with the mentality of a linebacker. He plays 60 minutes and he’ll throw, run and block. He’ll do whatever you ask.’

Terwilliger believes this competitive drive comes from his family, plus the effect of having teammates who fill their own familial role on the ESU football squad – creating a quasi-sibling rivalry.

‘We can’t even enjoy a nice game of cards or football on Sunday,’ Terwilliger said. ‘We go out and throw some darts and it’s a bloodbath.’

Terwilliger, though, loves the time he spends with his pseudo-brothers. He spends a majority of it with his top wide receiver, Evan Prall, who might as well be Terwilliger’s identical twin.

The best friends show a similar fanaticism when discussing football. Prall even maintains the two have an innate knack for knowing where each other are on the field. Prall is ESU’s all-time receptions leader – and all of them have come from Terwilliger’s arm.

‘We’re just doing what we love – playing football,’ Prall said. ‘I just say he’s the greatest quarterback I’ve ever played with. I’m just so lucky to be on the same playing field as Jimmy Terwilliger.’

The selflessness obviously goes both ways at East Stroudsburg. It’s a characteristic Douds said he has emphasized for the 33 years he’s been head coach at East Stroudsburg. But every great team needs a benevolent leader, and Terwilliger, with his passion for the game and his teammates, satisfies the role.

‘I had always been a Warrior,’ Terwilliger said. ‘I love the way they do things here. I knew I was born a Warrior.’

Levin’s locks

No. 13 Georgia Tech (+7.5) at No. 12 Clemson

Saturday, 7:45 p.m., ESPN

A preview of the ACC championship as the only respectable teams in the conference go head-to-head. And Tech validates why it has the conference’s sole undefeated record.

Georgia Tech 34, Clemson 31

No. 5 Texas (-6.5) at No. 17 Nebraska

Saturday, noon, ABC

Nebraska is back. It could even take down Oklahoma in a battle to be the conference’s second best. But c’mon – Texas? Mack Brown shows the Cornhuskers why his team is still the Big 12’s cream of the crop.

Texas 41, Nebraska 22

No. 22 Boston College (Pick ’em) at Florida State

Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

There’s a few ACC teams hovering around the respectability line and BC is without a doubt straddling the mark. But on a night when FSU is honoring its tribal namesake, the ‘Noles open Eagle hunting season.

Florida State 24, Boston College 21

No. 19 Rutgers (+6.5) at Pittsburgh

Saturday, 5:45 p.m., ESPN2

Pitt is on a roll and would be unbeaten if it wasn’t for an inexplicable second-half collapse against Michigan State. Ultimately, a high-scoring slugfest favors RU, who’s challenging West Virginia and Louisville at the top of the Big East.

Rutgers 35, Pittsburgh 28

No. 6 Louisville (-16.5) at Syracuse

Saturday, noon, ESPN Regional

UL faces its final two ranked opponents on back-to-back Thursdays a week-and-a-half after facing SU. The Orange catches Louisville looking ahead, but an upset remains just out of reach.

Louisville 31, Syracuse 24

Published on October 16, 2006 at 12:00 pm