Postgame Notes -- Terps 38, Temple 7

Oct. 8, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -

Maryland moved to 4-2 (2-1 ACC) on the season with today's 38-7 win over Temple (0-6). The Terrapins have won all six games in the series, which began in 1997.

With the win, head coach Ralph Friedgen moves to 40-16 (24-11 ACC) all-time. The win moved him into a tie for third on the list of winningest fifth-year coaches in ACC history, matching the win total of UNC's Dick Crum (1978-81).

Maryland has now won three games-in-a-row for the first time since winning five straight at the end of 2003.

The Terrapin defense held Temple to 226 total yards. That is a season low by the Terp defensive unit and the third time in six games it has held the opposition below 300.

Though it struggled to score at times in the first half, the Maryland offense still put up some healthy numbers. In the half, the Terps posted 288 yards on 40 plays (10 more than Temple ran in the half), most notably racking up 186 yards passing. Danny Melendez and Vernon Davis each had over 70 yards receiving by the break.

Senior LB D'Qwell Jackson did not play today (leg), breaking a streak of a team-high 29 consecutive starts. It is also the first time in Jackson's 43-game career (today would have been the 44th) that he did not play in a game.

Wesley Jefferson started for the first time in his career in Jackson's place and posted a team-high tying nine tackles (all assisted) and recovered a fumble. William Kershaw also had nine tackles and it marked the first game this season that Jackson did not lead the team.

After having their first touchdown called back and then turning the ball over on the ensuing play, the Terrapins got their first TD on the day with 5:36 left in the second quarter when TB Mario Merrills carried it in fromsix yards out, his second touchdown of the season (fourth career). Merrills helped set up the score with a 24-yard run the play before.

The Terps' second TD of the game was a one-yard run by Merrills just before half, giving the senior his first career two-touchdown game.

Merrills finished the day with 66 yards on 12 carries (5.5 avg.) and three touchdowns. The effort marked the first three-TD rushing day by a Terp since Bruce Perry had three against Wake Forest in the final game of 2003.

Maryland rushed for five touchdowns as a team today, first time since having five against The Citadel in 2003.

Career firsts today: Josh Wilson (blocked punt); Danny Oquendo (reception); Isaiah Williams (reception); Quaintance (game action).

Wilson's blocked punt was the second this season by the Terrapins (David Holloway vs. Clemson the first).

Junior Dan Ennis had his first missed field goal of the season, a 39-yarder in the third quarter. The miss broke a string of 11 consecutive field goals to start the season for Ennis. On the day, Ennis finished 1-of-3 on field goals and 5-of-5 on extra points. (He is now 12-of-14 on the season for FG).

Maryland is off next week. Its next opponent is Virginia Tech (Thu., Oct. 20) who beat Marshall today, 41-7.

Players Mentioned

Danny Oquendo

Isaiah Williams

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