Quarterback C.J. Brown had 36 yards passing and 124 yards rushing Saturday.

ATLANTA – Entering the season, Danny O’Brien had a stranglehold on the Terrapins football team’s starting quarterback position.

The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, O’Brien appeared primed to build off last season’s successes and establish himself as arguably the conference’s top signal caller.

But with a largely unsuccessful start to his sophomore campaign, a quarterback controversy appears to be emerging.

After O’Brien started Saturday’s game against No. 12 Georgia Tech 1-for-6 for 17 yards passing and an interception, coach Randy Edsall chose to replace him with the largely inexperienced C.J. Brown.

And while Brown was as ineffective through the air — he finished the game 4-for-17 for 36 yards and an interception — his work on the ground helped orchestrate a second-half comeback bid that fell short in the Terps’ 21-16 loss.

“I just felt that we needed a little bit of a spark,” a terse Edsall said after the game, “so I went to C.J.”

Brown ran for 124 yards, creating an effective 1-2 punch with running back Davin Meggett (86 yards, one touchdown) and taking a quarterback keeper off the right tackle for a 77-yard touchdown early in the third quarter.

But there was an obvious disconnect in the passing game with Brown under center. Many of his pass attempts were nowhere near the intended target, and some passes — including a failed fourth-quarter two-point conversion attempt — were past targets before they even turned around.

Brown said afterward, however, that he felt comfortable in his increased role.

“I know the passing game in and out, just like I’m supposed to,” Brown said. “It might not have showed today, but I knew I was making the correct reads. Maybe the balls weren’t there on time, and I was a little off.

“I’ll get better week to week.”

Though he wore a headset rather than a helmet for much of the game, O’Brien remained involved. He paced the sideline, relaying play calls to Brown, and was in the middle of offensive huddles with teammates.

“Me and him, we came in together. We’re great friends,” Brown said. “He was helping me out as I help him out.”

It remains to be seen whether O’Brien, who was unavailable to comment after the game, or Brown will start next weekend against No. 8 Clemson. Edsall said yesterday to expect a “game-time” decision Saturday.

But for now, at least, there appears to be a competition at the position that seemed most set in stone entering the season.

“We’re going to evaluate that situation just like we evaluate all the positions on a week-to-week basis,” Edsall said.

cwalsh@umdbk.com