Sept. 30, 2007

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Postgame Notes

All-time Series: Despite the proximity of the two schools, Maryland and Rutgers met for the just the eighth time Saturday. The win gives the Terps a 5-3 lead in the series. The teams had not met since 1942.

Terps Drop a Top 10 Team: Maryland defeated a top 10 team for the first time since 2004 (20-17 vs. No. 5 Florida State, Oct. 30) The Terps also downed a ranked team on the road for the second time in three opportunities. They lost to No. 20 Boston College, 38-16 on Nov. 18, 2006, but defeated No. 19 Clemson, 13-12, Nov. 4, 2006. It was also the first time Maryland defeated a top 10 team on the road since 1990 when they upended No. 8 Virginia, 35-30, in Charlottesville on Nov. 17. That win came in the regular-season finale and clinched a berth in the Independence Bowl for the Terps. In additon, Maryland defeated a top 10 non-conference team on the road for the first time since 1984. Frank Reich engineered the 31-point comeback in the Terps' 42-40 win at No. 6 Miami on Nov. 10, 1984. Until Saturday the Terps had lost seven in a row to top 10 non-conference foes on the road.

Rushing Attack: Senior RB Keon Lattimore started off strong with 25 yards on the Terps' opening drive of the game and went on to post a career-high 124 rushing yards. Lattimore, who entered the weekend No. 2 in the ACC in rushing, went over 100 yards for the fourth time this season, which ranks seventh on the school's single-season list. Da'Rel Scott made his first career appearance at running back and had three rushes for 29 yards. In addition, Lance Ball also chipped in a season-high 90 yards on 12 carries. In all the Terps tallied a season-high 239 yards on the ground, their highest total since posting 250 vs. Virginia in 2005.

Ball and Lattimore in the Record Books: With 124 rushing yards today, Keon Lattimore moved from 21st to 19th on the Terps career rushing list. Lattimore now was 1,472 career rushing yards. In addition, Lance Ball's 90 rushing yards moved him from 12th to ninth on the career rushing chart. Ball has 1,980 career rushing yards.

Turner Steps In for Steffy: Sophomore Chris Turner saw the first extensive action of his career, replacing an injured Jordan Steffy at the end of the first half. Turner completed 14 of 20 passes for 149 yards. He led the Terps to field goals on his second and third series and a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to help key the upset over No. 10 Rutgers.

Big Plays: Entering the Wake Forest game, the Terps had just eight plays from scrimmage of 20 or more yards. Maryland racked up four plays of 20+ yards vs. WFU and four more vs. Rutgers, including a 39-yard completion from Jordan Steffy to LaQuan Williams, the longest pass play of the season for Maryland. Williams later added a spectacular 27-yard catch from Chris Turner on the Terps TD drive in the fourth quarter. Isaiah Williams also got into the action with a 28-yard completion from Turner. Lance Ball added a 32-yard scamper in the third quarter, which set up Obi Egekeze 37-yard field goal.

Forcing Turnovers: The Terps forced three turnovers on the day, including two first-half fumbles. One of those first-half led to a Jordan Steffy to Darrius Heyward-Bey touchdown and the other a missed 39-yard FG by Obi Egekeze. J.J. Justice also chipped in with an interception, though the Terps did not turn that into points.

Stopping the Ball Carrier: For the fifth time this season, Erin Henderson led the Terps in tackles, though he tied for team-honors with fellow LB Dave Philistin. Henderson and Philistin each had 11 tackles. Philistin's 11 stops were a career high. Henderson also chipped in a fumble receovery, while Philistin had a pass breakup on the first play of the game.

Holding On To the Ball: The Terps have won the time of possession battle in each game this season. Maryland had the ball for 36:57 vs. Rutgers and rolled up a season-high 239 rushing yards.

Starting Streaks Continue: The Terps used the same starting line-up today as they did last week vs. Wake Forest. Several Terps extended their starting streaks in the game. Safety Christian Varner has started a Terrapin-high 27 straight games, and 28 of the past 29. LEO Trey Covington has started 25 of the past 25 games, and Andrew Crummey has started 27 of the past 28. Crummey has now started 32 games in his Maryland career, a high among current players.