Maryland Closes the Regular Season Saturday at No. 20 Boston College
11/24/2008 7:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday, Nov. 29
Maryland (7-4, 4-3 ACC)
at
No. 20 Boston College (8-3, 4-3 ACC)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Stadium: Alumni Stadium (44,500)
TV: ABC/ESPN2 - Pam Ward (play-by-play) and Ray Bentley (color) will call the action in the ABC regional broadcast. Click here to view an ABC coverage map. The game will also be shown on ESPN2 in parts of the country. Click here to view an ESPN2 coverage map. In addition, the game will be web cast over ESPN 360. Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will show a two-hour replay of the ABC telecast game at 11 p.m. Sunday.
Radio: Terrapin Sports Radio Network - Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Jonathan Claiborne (color) and Tim Strachan (sidelines) have the call. XM Satellite Radio Channel 190. Pregame with Gary Stein and Scott McBrien begins at 2 p.m. Click here to Listen Live on-line. The Terrapin Sports Radio Network (14 affiliates): 105.7 FM (WHFS) - Baltimore (Flagship); ESPN Radio 1300 AM (WJFK) - Baltimore (Flagship); WJFK 106.7 FM - Washington D.C.; WCEM AM 1240 - Cambridge; WBEY 97.9 FM - Crisfield; WGOP AM 540 - Crisfield; WTBO AM 1450 - Cumberland; WFMD AM 930 - Frederick; WARK AM 1490 - Hagerstown; WPTX 1690 AM - Lexington Park, Md.; WVMD 99.5 FM - Midland; WMSG AM 1050 - Oakland; WQMR FM 101.1 - Ocean City; WTGM AM 960 - Salisbury.
Terps on the Air...
Maryland's football broadcasting lineup for 2008-09, includes the Ralph Friedgen Radio Show and the Ralph Friedgen Television Show (FridgeTV). The Ralph Friedgen Radio Show airs from 8-9 p.m. each Wednesday during the season on the Terrapin Sports Radio Network which increased from 10 to 14 affiliates this season. The Ralph Friedgen Television Show, which is presented by Outback Steakhouse, airs weekly at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. The fast-paced, 30-minute show goes behind the scenes with Friedgen and the Maryland football team. Replays of the show are normally scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday on Comcast SportsNet, just prior to the rebroadcast of the Terps most recent football game (note: Saturday's game will replay at 11 p.m. Sunday). Comcast SportsNet will carry the official rebroadcasts of all 12 University of Maryland football games. Friedgen also appears each Wednesday during the season on Comcast's SportsNite wrap-up show. Comcast goes live "Inside the Coach's Office" with Friedgen at 6:45 p.m. each Wednesday.
First-and-10...
• Maryland looks to rebound from last weekend's loss to Florida State when it travels to Boston College Saturday. The Terrapins were eliminated from the ACC Atlantic Division race with the loss to the Seminoles, while the Eagles (No. 20 in AP; No. 22 in USA Today; No. 21 in BCS), who have won three straight, including two on the road, can clinch the division title with a win over Maryland in their final home game. The Terps, trying to improve their bowl position, can claim a share of the division crown with a win over BC, though FSU gains the berth in the ACC title game due its win over the Terps.
• Maryland has been the best in the nation playing ranked foes and will look to continue that success Saturday vs. BC. The Terps have won all four of their games vs. ranked foes (AP poll) this season (No. 23 Cal; No. 20 Clemson; No. 21 Wake Forest; No. 17 UNC) and six straight over the last two years (No. 8 Boston College and No. 10 Rutgers in 2007). The Terps are the only team in the nation (see chart to the right) to have knocked off four ranked opponents this year. The six consecutive wins over Top 25 teams is a school record (five straight from 1949-52).
• Led by junior QB Chris Turner and sophomore RB Da'Rel Scott, Maryland ranks tied for third in the ACC in total offense (340.8 yards per game). Turner, the fifth-rated passer in the ACC, is averaging 178.0 passing yards per game and has tossed just eight interceptions on the season, while Scott ranks second in the ACC (tied for 35th nationally) in rushing (94.0 ypg). Junior WR Darrius Heyward-Bey is the Terps' deep threat. He has a team-high 38 catches and is averaging 14.8 yards per reception. Scott and Heyward-Bey each have six TDs. Opening holes for the running game and protecting Turner is a veteran offensive line led by senior center Edwin Williams, a member of the watch lists for the Rimington Trophy and Lombardi Award. Senior TE Dan Gronkowski, on the watch list for the Mackey Award, is second on the team with a career-high 29 catches.
• Maryland allowed more than 30 points for the just the second time this season in Saturday's loss to Florida State. The Terps rank No. 31 nationally in scoring defense (20.8 ppg) and 44th in sacks (2.2 pg), including 13 over the last five games. Senior Jeremy Navarre anchors the defensive line, having posted 58 tackles on the year. Sophomore LB Alex Wujciak has been impressive during his first season on the field, posting 110 tackles, which is second in the ACC. Senior LBs Moise Fokou and Dave Philistin continue to make plays. Philistin is second on team in tackles (81) and Fokou has posted a team-best five sacks. The secondary is without its leader, senior Kevin Barnes who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury vs. Wake Forest (10/18). Picking up the slack are senior Jeff Allen (61 tackles/fourth on the team) and junior Jamari McCollough (team-best four picks).
• Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore Travis Baltz are two of the better kickers in the ACC. Egekeze has connected on 15 of his last 18 field-goal attempts, including game-winners vs. NC State (10/25) and UNC (11/15). Baltz ranks first in the league in punting (42.3 ypp). Torrey Smith is averaging 23.9 yards per kickoff return (sixth in the ACC), while the sure-handed Danny Oquendo is averaging 4.9 yards per punt return. By returning five kickoffs for 106 yards versus Florida State, Smith set the Maryland single-season record for kickoff return yards (860), breaking Josh Wilson's mark of 847 (2006).
Quick Hitters...
• Despite being eliminated from the ACC title chase, the Terps are expected to play in a bowl game. Maryland reached bowl eligibility for the sixth time in eight seasons under Ralph Friedgen with its 27-24 win over NC State (10/25). The Terps played in a bowl game after each of the last two seasons. They won at least nine games in four of Friedgen's first seven seasons, and are trying to duplicate that feat with wins in their final two contests.
• Seven of Maryland's opponents this season (California, Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State and Boston College) have spent time in the Top 25.
• BC is Maryland's fifth ranked opponent of the season. The Terps also played five ranked foes in 2006. In fact, 13 of Maryland's last 35 opponents have been ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
• Maryland's win over UNC marked the 200th ACC victory in the program's history. Only Clemson (225) has more conference wins. The Terps have an all-time record of 200-165-4 (.547) in ACC contests, including 37-26 (.587) under Ralph Friedgen.
• The Terps are in search of their 600th win in program history. In 115 seasons of football, Maryland is 599-520-43 (.533).
• Maryland is 7-0 this season in day games.
• Da'Rel Scott (940 yards) is on pace to become the Terps' seventh back to rush for 1,000 yards and the first since 2002 (Chris Downs, 1,154). Scott needs to average 30.0 yards over the final two games (including a bowl game) to reach that plateau. He ranks second in the ACC is rushing (94.0 ypg), and his 940 rushing yards ranks as the 11th-highest single-season total in team history.
• Chris Turner needs 84 passing yards to become the eighth player in school history to reach 4,000 career passing yards. With 165 passing yards, he'll move from eighth to seventh on the Maryland career list. Turner currently has 3,916 passing yards. Brian Cummings (1994-97) is currently seventh with 4,080 passing yards.
• Fellow RB Davin Meggett has 418 rushing yards, which is the most by a Maryland true freshman since LaMont Jordan had 689 in 1997. If Meggett and Scott can average 41.0 and 30.0 yards, respectively, over the last two games, the Terps will have a 1,000-yard and 500-yard rusher in the same season for the first time in program history.
• WR Darrius Heyward-Bey needs one reception and 19 receiving yards to claim second place all-time at Maryland in both categories.
• LB Alex Wujciak ranks second in the ACC and 14th in the nation in tackles (10.0 pg) and has eclipsed the century mark with 110 stops on the year.
• Moise Fokou's team-high five sacks are tied for second in the ACC among LBs and are the most by a Maryland LB since Shawne Merriman had a team-best 8.5 in 2004.
• Senior Jeremy Navarre ranks first in the ACC in tackles among defensive lineman (5.3 pg).
• Scott has two of the top four single-game rushing performances in the ACC this season (197 vs. Delaware; 163 vs. NC State). His rushing total vs. NC State is the second most in an ACC game this season. His four 100-yard rushing games this season ranks tied for seventh in school history.
• The Terps boast one of the nation's best punt units this season, ranking ninth nationally (FBS) in net punting (38.1 ypp) and ninth in punt return yardage defense (4.3 ypr).
• Friedgen, the eighth winningest coach in ACC history, is one of 20 head coaches around the nation on the watch list for the 2008 Paul `Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award.
Winning the Close Ones...
A key to the Terps success this season has been their ability to win the close ones. Maryland is 4-0 this season in games decided by seven points or less and have won three of ACC contests with fourth-quarter game-winning drives (Clemson, NC State and North Carolina). The Terps struggled in close games last year (1-4), but over the last three seasons Maryland is 11-5 in games decided by seven points or less.
In the National Polls...
For the first time in six weeks, Maryland finds itself completely out of the national polls. The Terps were ranked in both the AP and USA Today polls for three weeks and received votes two other times, reaching as high No. 22 in the AP and No. 21 in the USA Today. Maryland hadn't been in the national polls for as many as three weeks since 2004. The Terps also spent two weeks in the BCS standings, reaching as high as No. 23.
Redeem Team...
The Terps responded to their first three losses of the season by beating a ranked opponent in the ensuing game. They'll get another opportunity Saturday when they travel to Boston College. In all, Maryland has redeemed itself with a victory following its last five regular-season losses.
Halftime Adjustments...
Maryland ranks No. 63rd nationally in total defense (358.4 ypg), but the Terps have been sharp in the second half of games during its ACC slate. Maryland has yielded an average of just 146 yards and surrendered just 39 points overall in the final 30 minutes of their seven league contests (5.6 points per second half of each game).
Great Scott...
• Despite being only a redshirt sophomore, RB Da'Rel Scott has been Maryland's leading rusher in all but one game this season, and Saturday's game versus Florida State proved no exception. Scott rushed for 82 yards on 12 carries (6.8 ypc) against the Seminoles. His 41-yard burst up the middle during the third quarter marked his fifth rush of 35 yards or more this season.
• Scott ranks tied for seventh all-time at Maryland with four 100-yard rushing games this season (197 vs. Delaware, 123 at MTSU, 163 vs. NC State & 129 vs. North Carolina), and the Terps have won three of those games. Scott's 940 rushing yards on the season are the most for a Maryland player since Chris Downs rushed for 1,154 yards in 2002, and Scott now owns the 11th-highest single-season rushing total in team history.
• Scott, on the watch list for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards, currently ranks second in the ACC and tied for 35th in the nation (FBS) in rushing (94.0 ypg). He also leads the team and ranks third in the ACC and 71st nationally in all-purpose yards (109.8 ypg). He is tied for the team lead with six touchdowns.
• Scott has nine carries of at least 24 yards in 2008 (40, 37 and 26 vs. Delaware; 63 and 24 vs. MTSU; 24 vs. Cal; 39 and 24 vs. NC State; 41 vs. Florida State).
• Scott started his sophomore campaign with a bang, compiling 407 yards in the first three games, including a season opener-record 197 yards vs. Delaware on Aug. 30. Scott's three-game rushing total ranks sixth on Maryland's all-time list for most rushing yards through the first three games of a season.
Heyward-Bey Leading the Way...
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has served as a catalyst for the Maryland offense all season, and he continued to produce vs. Florida State. The junior recorded three receptions for 22 yards and also rushed twice for 11 yards. With his performance, Heyward-Bey moved into a tie with Frank Wycheck (1990-92) for third place all-time in career receptions at Maryland.
• Heyward-Bey, on the watch list for the Maxwell and Biletnikoff Awards, currently leads the team and ranks ninth in the ACC in receiving yards (51.0 ypg). He also leads the team in receptions, is tied for the team lead with six touchdowns and stands third in all-purpose yards (69.9 ypg).
• When Heyward-Bey touches the football this season, good things tend to happen for the Terps offense. On 14 rushing attempts, he has totaled a career-high 208 yards (14.9 ypc), which is the third-most rushing yards on the team, and places him among the top wide receivers in the nation (FBS) in rushing.
• Following his 76-yard scamper on a reverse at Clemson (9/27) to set up a score, Heyward-Bey now has three plays of more than 75 yards in his Terrapins career. He also notched an 80-yard TD catch earlier this season vs. MTSU (9/6) and had a team-record 96-yard TD reception against Miami during the 2006 season.
• Heyward-Bey has caught at least one pass in 33 of the last 36 contests dating back to the 2006 season. In addition, his 15.2 career yards per catch average ranks 11th nationally among active players.
• Heyward-Bey has continued his ascent through Maryland's career records this season. In addition to tying for third place in career receptions with his performance against Florida State, he remains third all-time in receiving yards (2,041), needing just 19 yards to overtake Geroy Simon (1993-96) for second place.
• Heyward-Bey remains tied with Gulian Gary (1998-01) for third on Maryland's all-time list with 13 career TD receptions.
Solid Protection...
Despite surrendering a season-high six sacks to Florida State (11/22), the Maryland offensive line has been solid in pass protection this season. The Terps have allowed just 12 sacks in their seven ACC games, which is tied for second fewest in the league. The Terps have allowed 27 sacks this season, which is well below the 40 surrendered in 2007.
Quick Strike Ability...
The Terps have shown a knack for getting on the board quickly. Thus far this season, 16 of the team's 25 touchdowns have come on drives of six plays or less and/or in fewer than 2:00. That explosiveness has enabled the Terps to win seven games this season despite having accounted for fewer yards and first downs than their opponents. However, Maryland broke away from its trend vs. North Carolina (11/15), sustaining three scoring drives lasting at least nine plays and four minutes.
Closing the Door...
When a Maryland fumble gave North Carolina the ball at the Terps' 33-yard-line, the Maryland defense induced three consecutive incomplete passes to force a punt. On the season, the Maryland offense has turned the ball over 16 times, but the defense has surrendered just 20 opponent points off those miscues.
Third Down Success ...
The Maryland offense converted a season-high 9 of 18 third-down opportunities against North Carolina (11/15), including three during the game-winning drive. On the season, the Terps ranks second in the ACC in third-down conversions (40.8 percent). On the flipside, Maryland's defense held North Carolina to 1 of 11 (9 percent) on third down - the lowest conversion rate by an opponent this season.
Turner on Target...
The Maryland offense struggled Saturday against Florida State, but QB Chris Turner still completed 16 of 30 passes for 149 yards despite facing constant pressure from the Seminoles defensive front.
• When Turner's pass was intercepted by Florida State DB Kenny Ingram during the second quarter of Saturday's game, it ended an impressive streak without throwing an interception. Prior to that play, Turner had attempted 132 passes without throwing a pick and had thrown just one in his previous 197 pass attempts, dating back to the fourth quarter of the Eastern Michigan game (9/20). The lone pick during that stretch came at the end of the Virginia game (10/4).
• Continuing to prove his worth in big games, Turner is 5-0 as a starter against ranked opponents (with wins over No. 20 Clemson, No. 23 Cal, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 17 North Carolina in 2008; win over No. 8 Boston College in 2007). He also played an integral role in the other such game (win over No. 10 Rutgers in 2007) during Maryland's winning streak against ranked foes. The Simi Valley, Calif., native has yet to throw an interception vs. a ranked opponent. In six games vs. the top 25, Turner has completed 110 of 168 passes (65.4 percent) for 1,276 yards and seven TDs.
• Turner currently ranks fifth in the ACC and 70th in the nation in pass efficiency (119.4). The junior signal-caller also has a career-high nine TD passes this season.
• Turner's 149 passing yards against Florida State places him just 84 yards away from reaching 4,000 for his career and 164 yards behind Dan Cummings (1994-97) for seventh on Maryland's all-time list. With 3,916 passing yards, Turner ranks eighth all-time in school history.
• Turner is tied with Vic Turyn (1947-48) for 15th place all-time with 16 career TD passes.
• Turner also ranks eighth in school history with 321 career completions and 10th with 531 career pass attempts. He has thrown for at least 200 yards in 11 of his last 16 starts.
Mr. Smith Comes From Washington...
WR Torrey Smith continues to make the most of his opportunities after recently being inserted into the Terps' starting lineup (10/25 vs. NC State). The redshirt freshman returned five kickoffs for 106 yards against Florida State, setting a Maryland record for kickoff return yards in a season, now with 860. the previous team record was 847 kickoff return yards by Josh Wilson in 2006.
• Smith's 860 kickoff return yards put him in ninth place on the career list, and he also ranks tied for ninth all-time in career kickoff returns.
• Smith currently ranks sixth in the ACC and 46th in the nation (FBS) in kick return average (23.9 ypr). He also ranks second on the team and eighth in the ACC in all-purpose yards (95.3 ypg).
Terps' Tackling Tandem...
LBs Alex Wujciak and Dave Philistin have paced the Terps in tackles nearly all season and continued to do so Saturday against Florida State. Both players tallied a game-high 11 tackles versus the Seminoles.
• Wujciak ranks second in the ACC and 14th in the nation in tackles (10.0 pg). He also stands tied for first in the ACC in tackles during conference games (11.9 pg). Philistin ranks 11th in the conference in stops (7.4 pg).
• Wujciak now has 110 tackles in 2008, marking the 35th consecutive season Maryland has produced at least one tackler with more than 100 stops.
• Maryland is 5-2 this season when Wujciak and/or Philistin reach double digits in tackles.
• Wujciak's 16 tackles vs. Clemson (9/27) are tied for the second-most this season in the ACC during a single game (Duke's Michael Tauiliili had 18 stops vs. NC State on Nov. 8).
Through the Uprights...
Obi Egekeze hit 1 of 2 field goals against Florida State, connecting from 34 yards during the third quarter.
• Egekeze currently ranks fourth in the ACC and tied for 27th in the nation in field goals (1.36 pg). He also ranks sixth in the ACC in kick scoring (6.4 ppg).
• At his best during conference play, Egekeze has now hit 25 of 29 field goals (86.2 percent) during ACC contests over the course of his career.
• Egekeze's field goal against the Seminoles enabled him to tie Dan DeArmas (1988-91) for seventh place on Maryland's all-time list with 32 career field goals.
`Gronk' Going Strong...
Continuing his steady play, TE Dan Gronkowski contributed yet again vs. Florida State with a team-high four receptions for 46 yards during his final game at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. He now has tallied at least one reception in 10 consecutive games.
• A candidate for the John Mackey Award, bestowed to the nation's top tight end, Gronkowski currently ranks second on the team in receptions (29) and in receiving yards (287).
Boston College At-A-Glance...
• No. 20 Boston College (8-3, 4-3 ACC) enters Saturday's regular-season finale needing to beat Maryland to clinch a berth in the ACC Championship.
• Winners of their last three games, the Eagles are tied for the FBS lead (with USC) with three shutouts this season, but two of their three losses have come in Chestnut Hill.
• BC and Florida State have each won an ACC-best three league road games, but the Eagles are just 1-2 in conference home contests.
• Boston College boasts one of the nation's most dominant defensive units this season. The Eagles rank among the FBS leaders in interceptions (first - 23), turnovers gained (second - 31), pass efficiency defense (fourth), total defense (fifth - 269.6 ypg), rushing defense (seventh - 95.8 ypg), scoring defense (15th - 17.3 ppg), defensive red zone efficiency (ninth - 70.0 percent), pass defense (17th - 173.8 ypg) and defensive third-down efficiency (19th - 32.1 percent). Boston College leads the ACC in both rushing defense and total defense.
• Redshirt freshman QB Dominque Davis is expected to start for Boston College in place of injured signal-caller Chris Crane. Davis orchestrated the game-winning drive in the Eagles' come-from-behind 24-21 win Saturday at Wake Forest.
• True freshman RB Montel Harris leads the team with 682 rushing yards and also has five TDs. WR Rich Gunnell leads the Eagles in receptions (39), while fellow wideout Brandon Robinson is the team's best deep threat (15.7 ypc).
• LB Mark Herzlich paces the Boston College defense in tackles (92) and PBUs (six), and he is tied for the team lead in interceptions (five) and forced fumbles (two). SS Paul Anderson also has five picks.
• DT B.J. Raji has posted team-highs with six sacks and 10 TFLs, and is one of five Boston College players with at least three sacks this season.
• Led by Gunnell, the Eagles lead the ACC in punt returns (12.7 ypr).
Maryland-Boston College Series History...
• Maryland and Boston College will face off for the sixth time Saturday. The Eagles own a 3-2 edge in the all-time series.
• The Terps snapped a BC three-game winning streak in the series with last season's 42-35 victory over the eighth-ranked Eagles. Chris Turner threw for a career-high 337 yards and three touchdowns, including two to TE Jason Goode. The Terps rushed for 135 yards against the top-ranked run defense in the nation (58 ypg) and the Maryland defense picked off Matt Ryan three times.
• Prior to last season, Maryland's only win in the series came in 1985 when the Terps beat the Eagles 31-13 in Foxboro, Mass.
• Since Boston College joined the ACC, the Eagles have won two of three. Maryland fell 31-16 in College Park in 2005, and 38-16 at Boston College in 2006 before the Terps rebounded last season.
• Last time in Chestnut Hill (Nov. 18, 2006): Boston College's Jolonn Dunbar put the Terps in an early 14-0 hole, scoring on fumble returns of 14 and 38 yards. Boston College scored a third touchdown on an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback DeJuan Tribble, as the Eagles went on to win 38-16. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Maryland.
Mighty Meggett...
RB Davin Meggett continued to provide Maryland's ground game with a potent one-two punch with his performance against Florida State. The freshman rushed for 54 yards, including a 23-yard scamper, to complement featured back Da'Rel Scott. Meggett's four touchdowns are the most by a true freshman since Josh Allen scored eight touchdowns in 2002.
Wise Beyond His Years...
DB Anthony Wiseman has developed steadily throughout the 2008 season, his first as a starter, and had one of his better games against Florida State. The junior cornerback notched eight tackles and two PBUs versus the Seminoles. He leads the team with seven PBUs this season.
McCollough's Latest Pick...
Playing a greater role due to injuries in the secondary, Jamari McCollough has proven extremely valuable this season. The junior safety, who has also played CB, sealed Maryland's victory over North Carolina (11/15) when he intercepted Cameron Sexton's final pass of the game with 49 seconds remaining. McCollough has a team-best four picks, tying for the most by a Terp since Dominique Foxworth had five in 2002.
• McCollough notched both his first career sack and fumble recovery against NC State (10/25). Earlier in the season, McCollough accounted for his third interception of the season when he tracked down an overthrown deep pass by Clemson QB Cullen Harper in Maryland's win over the Tigers (9/27). The play gave McCollough three picks in a six-quarter span dating back to the Eastern Michigan game (9/20). He had two vs. the Eagles, including one in the end zone during a first-half scoring threat.
• McCollough, who did not have any interceptions entering the season, currently leads the team, ranks tied for eighth in the ACC and tied for 30th in the nation in interceptions (0.36 pg).
Fokou's Sack Barrage...
LB Moise Fokou has applied pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season, and he continued to do so at Virginia Tech (11/6). Fokou registered his team-leading fifth sack of the season when he took down Virginia Tech QB Sean Glennon for a loss of three during the second quarter.
• Fokou leads the team, ranks tied for ninth in the ACC and tied for 87th in the nation in sacks (0.45 pg). He also leads Maryland in TFLs (9.0). His five sacks are the most by a Maryland linebacker since Shawne Merriman had a team-best 8.5 in 2004.
By The Numbers...
3...WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has three plays in excess of 75 yards in his career, including two this season (80-yd TD reception vs. Middle Tennessee State; 76-yd run vs. Clemson). He had a school record 96-yd TD catch vs. Miami in 2006.
4...RB Da'Rel Scott has four 100-yard rushing games which ranks tied for seventh on the school's single-season list.
5...QB Chris Turner has a 5-0 career record as a starter vs. ranked opponents (AP poll).
9...Number of current players who have completed their degrees. That list includes PK Obi Egekeze, DL Mack Frost, OL Jack Griffin, TE Dan Gronkowski, DL Dean Muhtadi, OL Dane Randolph, QB Jordan Steffy, DB Richard Taylor and OL Edwin Williams. Each of those players is either enrolled in graduate school or pursuing another undergraduate degree.
10...LB Alex Wujciak has posted at least 10 tackles six times this season, including four of the last five games.
15...PK Obi Egekeze has made 15 of his last 18 field-goal attempts after missing his first five on the season. Two of his three misses in that stretch have come from 44 yards or more.
17...Number of career carries by the Maryland tailbacks (14 by Da'Rel Scott/3 by Morgan Green/0 by Davin Meggett) entering the season.
26...Number of former Terps on NFL rosters (see list on page 23).
27...Number of the Terps' 30 seniors who are on track to graduate by May.
63...The Terps have won 63 games in Ralph Friedgen's seven-plus seasons which is more than they had in the 14 years prior to his arrival (55).
86.2...Obi Egekeze has hit 86.2 percent of his career field-goal attempts (25 of 29) in ACC action.
96...The Terps have connected on 96 straight PATs, dating back to 2005 (vs. UNC). Obi Egekeze hit all 36 attempts last season and 25 this year. Dan Ennis was good on all 32 in 2006.
