COLLEGE PARK -- It is becoming increasingly apparent that redshirt freshman Calvin McCall will start at quarterback a week from tomorrow when Maryland opens its 1999 football season against Temple at 6 p.m. in Philadelphia.

Maryland coach Ron Vanderlinden has dropped hints the past two days that possibly lead to McCall, 6 feet 3, 189 pounds, getting the call against the Owls.

Vanderlinden on Monday virtually ruled out starting freshman Latrez Harrison by saying, "I don't like the idea of starting a true freshman in the first game of the season."

Yesterday, Vanderlinden said that sophomore Randall Jones' sore arm has lingered on longer than anticipated, costing last season's starter valuable time in working with the first unit in practice.

"A few of Randall's passes didn't look too good today, did they?" Vanderlinden said. "But I think the worst of his arm problems are over."

Vanderlinden will send the Terps through their second closed scrimmage in five days tonight at 6 at Byrd Stadium.

But don't expect him to announce a starting quarterback after that scrimmage or possibly anytime before the Temple game.

"We'll make a decision before the game, but we might not announce it," he said. "It really doesn't help us any to do it, while it would help Temple to know who our quarterback is."

Meanwhile, former Arundel High standout Erik Lipton, who is fifth on the Maryland quarterback depth chart, has come down with soreness in his joints and is undergoing tests.

Pub Date: 8/25/99