Tuesday, Dec. 30

Maryland (7-5, 4-4 ACC)

vs.

Nevada (7-5, 5-3 WAC)

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Boise, Idaho
Stadium: Bronco Stadium (30,000)

TV: ESPN - Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Brock Huard (color) and Heather Cox (sidelines) will call the action. The game can also be viewed on ESPN 360.

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 3 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.

First-and-10...
• Maryland will make its third straight bowl appearance, and sixth over the last eight seasons, when the Terps take on Nevada in the Roady's Humanitarian Bowl. The Terrapins, who finished tied for third in the ACC's Atlantic Division, are looking to end the year with at least eight wins for the fifth time in the last eight seasons, as well as earn their fourth win in the last five bowl trips. Nevada, which won three of its last four regular-season games, has one of the top offenses in the nation, ranking fifth in total offense (510.6 yards per game) and second in rushing (291.4 ypg). Maryland and Nevada will be meeting for the first time.
• Led by junior QB Chris Turner and sophomore RB Da'Rel Scott, Maryland ranks third in the ACC in total offense (341.9 yards per game). The Terps will face the third-ranked rushing defense in the nation (74.5 ypg) in Nevada. Turner, the fifth-rated passer in the ACC, is averaging 193.2 passing yards per game (third in the ACC), while Scott ranks second in the ACC (44th nationally) in rushing (87.2 ypg). Junior WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. a two-time All-ACC performer, 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, who made the watch list for the Mackey Award, is tied for second on the team with a career-high 29 catches. Scott, Gronkowski, Heyward-Bey and Williams were among six offensive players voted to the 2008 AP/ACSMA All-ACC team.
• Maryland, which has allowed more than 30 points just twice this season, will face a Nevada offense which averages 37.8 ppg. The Terps rank No. 37 nationally in scoring defense (21.4 ppg). All-ACC performers Jeremy Navarre and Alex Wujciak anchor the defense. Navarre, a senior, leads the defensive line, having posted 63 tackles. Wujciak, a sophomore LB, has been impressive during his first year on the field, posting 121 stops (second in the ACC). Senior LBs Moise Fokou and Dave Philistin continue to make plays. Philistin is second on team in tackles (91) and Fokou has posted a team-best five sacks. The secondary has been without its leader for the last five games. Senior Kevin Barnes suffered a season-ending shoulder injury vs. Wake Forest (10/18). Picking up the slack are senior Jeff Allen (63 tackles/fourth on the team) and junior Jamari McCollough (team-best four picks).
• Senior Obi Egekeze and sophomore Travis Baltz form one of the best kicking tandems in the ACC. Egekeze has connected on 15 of his last 19 field-goal attempts, including game-winners vs. NC State (10/25) and UNC (11/15). Baltz, a first-team All-ACC choice, ranks first in the league in punting (41.4 ypp). Torrey Smith is averaging 24.1 yards per kickoff return (sixth in the ACC), while the sure-handed Danny Oquendo is averaging 5.2 yards per punt return. Smith has already set the Maryland single-season kickoff return yards record (990) and is within striking distance of the ACC mark.

Success Against the Best...
Maryland has been among the best in the nation this season playing ranked opponents. The Terps went 4-1 vs. ranked foes (AP poll) with wins vs. No. 23 Cal, No. 20 Clemson, No. 21 Wake Forest and No. 17 UNC. The Terps' four victories trail only BCS title game participants Florida and Oklahoma on the list of most Top 25 wins.

Quick Hitters...
• Seven of Maryland's regular season opponents (California, Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Florida State and Boston College) spent time in the Top 25 this season. In fact, 13 of Maryland's last 36 opponents have been ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.
• The Terps will be without a pair of assistant coaches for the bowl game. Danny Pearman (TEs/special teams coordinator) left to take a position at his alma mater, Clemson, while defensive coordinator Chris Cosh headed to Kansas State as assistant head coach to be reunited with Bill Snyder. Al Seamonson will serve as interim defensive coordinator, Brian White, an intern and former GA, will take over TEs and assist with special teams, and Henry Baker, also a GA, will assist Seamonson with linebackers.
• Da'Rel Scott 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 ranks second in the ACC is rushing (87.2 ypg). His 959 rushing yards rank 10th on the Maryland single-season list.
• Torrey Smith's single-season school record of 990 kickoff return yards ranks as the second most by a player in ACC history behind Tijan Redmon of Duke (1,065 kickoff return yards in 1995). Smith needs 76 return yards to set the conference's all-time single-season mark.
• Smith and Danny Oquendo posted Maryland's top two receiving performances of the season with 115 and 111 receiving yards, respectively, at Boston College (11/29). It marked the first time two Terps accounted for at least 100 receiving yards in the same game since Geroy Simon (124) and Jermaine Lewis (102) did so at Florida State on Oct. 18, 1995.
• Smith's 245 all-purpose yards vs. Boston College (11/29) was the fifth-highest total in the ACC this season. He has already set a Maryland single-season freshman record with 1,293 all-purpose yards. That mark is No. 11 on the single-season school list.
• Throwing for a career-high 360 yards in the regular season finale at Boston College (11/29), Chris Turner became the eighth player in school history to reach 4,000 career passing yards. Turner currently ranks seventh all-time at Maryland (4,276).
• Thirteen of Oquendo's 29 receptions this season have come on third down and two have occurred on fourth down. All 15 of those receptions resulted in first-down conversions.
• WR Darrius Heyward-Bey needs one reception to take sole possession of third place on the Maryland career receptions list and needs 19 yards to claim second place on the career receiving yards chart. Oquendo ranks 16th in school history with 85 career receptions.
• Davin Meggett has 422 rushing yards, which is the most by a Maryland true freshman since LaMont Jordan had 689 in 1997. If Meggett and Scott can accumulate 78 and 41 yards, respectively, in the bowl game, the Terps will have a 1,000-yard and 500-yard rusher in the same season for the first time in program history.
• LB Alex Wujciak ranks second in the ACC and tied for 13th in the nation in tackles (10.1 pg). He has posted 121 stops, including 10 or more in seven of the last nine games.
• Moise Fokou's team-high five sacks are tied for third 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 linemen (5.2 pg).
• Scott has two of the top five 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 seventh nationally (FBS) in punt return yardage defense (4.2 ypr) and 16th in net punting (37.6 ypp).
• Maryland's win over North Carolina (11/15) marked the 200th ACC victory in the program's history. Only Clemson (225) has more league wins. The Terps have an all-time record of 200-166-4 (.546) in ACC contests, including 37-27 (.578) under Ralph Friedgen.
• The Terps are in search of their 600th win in program history. In 115 seasons of football, Maryland is 599-521-43 (.535).
• Friedgen, the ninth winningest coach in ACC history (see chart on pg. 6), is one of 20 head coaches around the nation on the watch list for the 2008 Paul `Bear' Bryant Coach of the Year Award. The Roady's Humanitarian Bowl will be Friedgen's 100th game as Maryland head coach.

Bringing Home the Hardware...
Maryland placed nine players on the 2008 AP/ACSMA All-ACC squad. Headlined by a trio of first team All-ACC honorees in running back Da'Rel Scott, center Edwin Williams and punter Travis Baltz, the Terps tied for their most conference accolades since 2003 (they also had nine honorees in 2006) and tied for the most recipients of any team in the ACC (Boston College also had nine). In addition to the three first team selections, linebacker Alex Wujciak garnered second team All-ACC honors. Five Terps - offensive lineman Scott Burley, tight end Dan Gronkowski, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, defensive lineman Jeremy Navarre and offensive lineman Jaimie Thomas - each earned honorable mention status. All but Heyward-Bey (second team in 2006) earned a spot on the team for the first time.

Success Against the Best...(Part Two)...
Maryland has won six of its last seven games vs. ranked opponents (AP poll), dating back to last season. The Terps' loss to No. 20 Boston College in the regular-season finale snapped a school record six-game winning streak against the Top 25. The Terps went 4-1 this season vs. ranked foes and defeated their final two ranked opponents (No. 10 Rutgers and No. 8 Boston College) in 2007. The six consecutive wins over Top 25 teams eclipsed a school record (five straight from 1949-52).

Maryland Bowl Facts...
• 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 are playing in a bowl game for the third straight season, marking the second such streak under Friedgen (2001-2003).
• The Terps have won three of their last four bowl games. Friedgen's three bowl wins are the most of any Maryland coach. He is 3-2 overall in bowl games, including a school-record three straight wins from 2003-06. Prior to Friedgen's arrival, Maryland made only one postseason appearance in the previous 15 years.
• The Terps have an all-time record of 9-11-2 in bowl games and have out-scored their last four bowl opponents 109-38.
• The Terps have not faced a WAC opponent in a bowl game, though the Terps did play Louisiana Tech to a 34-all tie in the 1990 Independence Bowl. Louisiana Tech is currently a member of the WAC, joining the league in 2001. The Bulldogs were independent in 1990.

Going West...
The Terps haven't traveled west for a bowl game, or any contest for that matter, very often in their history. Only six of their 23 bowl games have been played west of the Mississippi, though this is the second straight postseason game out west (2007 Emerald Bowl in San Francisco).

Halftime Adjustments...
Maryland ranks No. 63rd nationally in total defense (358.4 ypg), but the Terps were sharp in the second half of games during their ACC slate. Maryland yielded an average of just 141 yards and surrendered just 53 points overall in the final 30 minutes of their eight league contests (6.6 points per second half of each game). In the regular-season finale at Boston College (11/29), the Terps limited the Eagles to 104 yards in the second half, including just 21 passing yards.

Winning the Close Ones...
A key to the Terps success this season has been their ability to win the close games. Maryland is 4-1 this season in games decided by seven points or less and won three 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 11-6 in games decided by seven points or less.

Redeem Team...
The Terps responded to their first three losses of the season by beating a ranked opponent in the ensuing game. That impressive streak was snapped in the regular-season finale vs. Boston College when the 20th-ranked Eagles upended the Terps. Maryland will look to extinguish its only two-game losing streak of the season vs. Nevada. The Terps have lost three in a row just twice in Ralph Friedgen's eight seasons.

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 he finished the regular season with 959 yards. That rushing figure is the most by a Maryland player in a season since Chris Downs rushed for 1,154 yards in 2002, and Scott now owns the 10th-highest single-season rushing total in team history.
• Scott's production this season earned him a spot on the 2008 All-ACC first team. He is the first Terrapin back to earn a spot on the conference's first team since Downs in 2002 and the team's first sophomore running back on the squad since Bruce Perry in 2001.
• Scott ranks tied for seventh all-time on the Maryland single-season list with four 100-yard rushing games (197 vs. Delaware, 123 at MTSU, 163 vs. NC State & 129 vs. North Carolina). The Terps have won three of those games.
• Scott, who was on the watch list for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards, currently ranks second in the ACC and 44th in the nation (FBS) in rushing (87.2 ypg). He also stands second on the team and ranks sixth in the ACC and 89th in the nation (FBS) in all-purpose yards (102.7 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 leads the team in every receiving category despite missing the season finale at Boston College with a leg injury. With three receptions in his last game against Florida State (11/22), 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 eighth in the ACC in receiving (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. He has rushed the ball 15 times for a career-high 208 yards (14.9 ypc), which is the third-most 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 has three plays of more than 75 yards in his 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 his last 36 contests dating back to the 2006 season. In addition, his 15.2 career yards-per-catch average ranks 12th 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 career list with 13 career TD receptions.
• Following his efforts during the regular season, Heyward-Bey earned honorable mention All-ACC honors, marking the second time in his career he has garnered conference accolades (second team All-ACC in 2006).

Turner on Target...
QB Chris Turner has orchestrated the Maryland offense effectively all season, and he continued to be at sharp against Boston College (11/29). Turner followed up last season's 337-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Eagles by achieving career highs in completions (33), attempts (57) and passing yards (360) during the regular season finale at Boston College. Turner, who has directed three fourth-quarter, game-winning drives this season, scored his first career TD when he plowed into the end zone from 1-yard out during the first quarter to open the Terps' scoring. He also added a pair of TD passes, finding WR Danny Oquendo in the corner of the end zone from 13 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter, and connecting with WR Torrey Smith for an 8-yard strike near the end of the game.
• With his performance at Boston College, Turner became the eighth quarterback in school history to surpass 4,000 career passing yards. He currently ranks seventh all-time at Maryland with 4,276 career yards through the air.
• Continuing to prove his worth in big games, Turner is 5-1 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 suffered his first lost against a ranked opponent in the season finale at No. 20 Boston College (11/29), throwing his first career interception versus a ranked foe following 185 pass attempts without one. In seven games vs. the top 25, Turner has completed 143 of 225 passes (63.6 percent) for 1,636 yards and nine touchdowns with just two interceptions.
• Turner currently ranks fifth in the ACC and 74th in the nation in pass efficiency (118.7). He also ranks third in the conference in passing (193.2 ypg). The junior signal-caller also has a career-high 11 TD passes this season.
• With two TD passes at Boston College, Turner is tied with John Kaleo (1991-92) for 13th place all-time with 18 career TD passes. He also ranks fifth in school history in career completions (354) and seventh in career pass attempts (588). He has thrown for at least 200 yards in 12 of his last 17 starts.
• When Turner's pass was intercepted by DB Kenny Ingram during the second quarter of the game against the Seminoles (11/22), 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).

In 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.

Third Down Success ...
Maryland has been one of the best teams in the ACC on third down on both sides of the ball during the 2008 campaign. On the season, the Terps ranks third in the ACC in third-down conversions (40.4 percent) and fourth in defensive third-down efficiency (36.1 percent). Perhaps no game better illustrated Maryland's third-down success than its victory over North Carolina (11/15). During that game, the Maryland offense converted a season-high 9 of 18 third-down opportunities against the Tar Heels, including three during the game-winning drive. 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.

Quick Strike Ability...
The Terps have shown a knack for getting on the board quickly. Thus far this season, 18 of the team's 28 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. During the first quarter of the season finale at Boston College (11/29), QB Chris Turner scored from 1-yard out to cap a five-play, 60-yard drive that took 1:36. Maryland later added a 63-yard scoring drive in 1:28 culminated by a WR Torrey Smith 8-yard touchdown reception from Turner in the game's final minute.

Terps' Tackling Tandem...
LBs Alex Wujciak and Dave Philistin have paced the Terps in tackles nearly all season and continued to do so in the regular season at Boston College (11/29). Wujciak tallied a game-high 11 tackles and Philistin added 10 stops. For Wujciak, it marked the seventh time in the last nine games he has accounted for a double-digit tackle total.
• Wujciak ranks second in the ACC and tied for 13th in the nation in tackles (10.1 pg). He also stands tied for first in the ACC in tackles during conference games (11.9 pg). Philistin ranks tied for 10th in the conference in stops (7.6 pg).
• Wujciak now has 121 tackles in 2008, marking the 35th consecutive season Maryland has produced at least one tackler with more than 100 stops.
• 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). Tauiliili, Jon Copper of Virginia, Aaron Curry of Wake Forest and Kavell Conner of Clemson have all posted 16 stops in a game.
• Wujciak was named a second team All-ACC honoree following the end of the regular season. His inclusion on the squad marks the eighth consecutive season the Terps have boasted a linebacker on either the first or second team.

Maryland's Mr.Clutch...
Sure-handed WR Danny Oquendo notched career highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (111) in the season finale at Boston College (11/29). Four of his receptions resulted in third-down conversions and two resulted in fourth-down conversions. His final regular season game as a Terrapin marked the first 100-yard receiving game of his career.
• Oquendo currently ranks second on the team in receiving yards (371) and tied for second in receptions (29).
• A steady performer throughout his career, Oquendo has developed into a clutch receiver this season. Thirteen of his 29 receptions have come on third down and occured on fourth down. All 15 of those receptions resulted in first-down conversions.
• Oquendo also ranks eighth on the Maryland career list with 445 punt return yards.
• Oquendo has also had key contributions in other areas. He completed his first pass on the season, a 43-yard TD pass to Isaiah Williams off a fake reverse vs. Eastern Michigan (9/20), and had a hand in thwarting three on-sides kicks vs. Cal (9/13).

Mr. Smith Comes From Washington...
WR Torrey Smith continues to make the most of his opportunities, particularly since being inserted into the Terps' starting lineup (10/25 vs. NC State). One game after setting a team record for kickoff return yardage in a season, the redshirt freshman showcased his speed and versatility on offense and special teams at Boston College (11/29). Smith notched career-best marks with eight receptions and 115 yards, including an acrobatic 43-yard grab to set up the team's first score and an 8-yard TD reception in the final minute for his second career score.
• Smith's 115 receiving yards at Boston College are the most for a Terp since Darrius Heyward-Bey had 175 vs. Miami on Nov. 11, 2006.
• Maryland's kickoff returner added 130 yards on five returns (26.0 ypr) against the Eagles and set a career high with 245 all-purpose yards.
• Smith's single-season school-record of 990 kickoff return yards ranks as the second most by a player in ACC history behind Tijan Redmon of Duke (1,065 kickoff return yards in 1995). He also ranks eighth on Maryland's career list in return yardage, and is tied for eighth all-time in career kickoff returns with 41.
• Smith currently ranks sixth in the ACC and 45th in the nation (FBS) in kick return average (24.1 ypr). He also leads the team, ranks fourth in the ACC and 78th in the nation in all-purpose yards (107.8 ypg). In addition, his 13.8 yards per catch ranks second in the ACC among freshmen.

Mighty Meggett...
RB Davin Meggett has teamed with Da'Rel Scott to provide the Maryland ground attack with an impressive one-two punch this season. With 422 rushing yards, Meggett has the most by a Maryland true freshman since LaMont Jordan had 689 in 1997. His four touchdowns are the most by a true freshman since Josh Allen scored eight touchdowns in 2002.

Nevada At-A-Glance...
• Nevada, which will be playing in a bowl for the fourth consecutive season, finished the regular season 7-5 overall, and went 5-3 to tie for second place in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
• The Terps and the Wolf Pack are meeting for the first time. Nevada's only previous matchup with an ACC opponent came two years ago, when it lost 21-20 to Miami in the 2006 Humanitarian Bowl (then called the MPC Computers Bowl).
• The Wolf Pack boast one of the nation's most prolific offensive units, ranking among the best nationally (FBS) in rushing offense (second - 291.4 ypg), time of possession (fourth - 32:52), total offense (fifth - 510.6 ypg), first downs (eighth - 25.3 pg), fewest interceptions thrown (tied for 12th - seven), scoring offense (13th - 37.8 ppg) and fewest sacks allowed (tied for 23rd - 1.3 pg).
• Defensively, Nevada ranks among the nation's best in rushing defense (third - 74.5 ypg), TFLs (sixth - 8.0 pg) and sacks (eighth - 2.9 pg).
• Recently named WAC Offensive Player of the Year, QB Colin Kaepernick threw for 2,479 yards with 19 TD passes to just five interceptions during the regular season. The sophomore also rushed for 1,115 yards with 16 rushing TDs, ranking 12th in the nation in total offense (299.5 ypg).
• Sophomore RB Vai Taua racked up 1,420 rushing yards on 213 attempts (6.7 ypc) during the regular season, as well as 14 rushing TDs. He ranks ninth in the nation in rushing (118.3 ypg).
• Senior WR Marko Mitchell is Kaepernick's favorite target, having recorded 56 receptions for 1,011 yards and nine TDs during the regular season. Two other wideouts (senior Mike McCoy and sophomore Chris Wellington) also have registered upward of 400 receiving yards this season.
• Senior C Dominic Green, a first team All-WAC honoree, anchors the Wolf Pack's offensive line.
• A pair of sophomore defensive ends leads the Nevada defense. Kevin Basped (18.5 TFLs, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles) and Dontay Moch (15.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks) rank 15th and tied for 17th, respectively, in the nation in sacks.
• DBs Uche Anyanwu (65 tackles) and Jonathon Amaya (62 stops and three interceptions) pace Nevada in tackles, while ILB Joshua Mauga (54 tackles and 7.5 TFLs) anchors the team's linebacking corp.
• The Wolf Pack boasts a strong special teams unit led by Brad Langley, who ranks 11th in the nation in punting (44.1 ypp) and Brett Jaekle, who has converted 14 of 17 field goal attempts.

Through the Uprights...
Following a tough start to his senior campaign, PK Obi Egekeze has come on strong during conference play to put forth a solid season, contributing game-winning field goals vs. NC State (10/25) and North Carolina (11/15).
• Egekeze currently ranks tied for fourth in the ACC and tied for 35th in the nation in field goals (1.25 pg). He also ranks eighth in the ACC in kick scoring (6.1 ppg).
• At his best during conference play, Egekeze has hit 25 of 30 field goals (83.3 percent) during ACC contests over the course of his career.
• Egekeze's 34-yard field goal against Florida State (11/22) 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...
Enjoying a career year as a senior, Dan Gronkowski has been one of the Terps' steadiest performers this season. The 6-foot-6 tight end has started all 12 games, more than quadrupling his previous career highs in receptions and receiving yards. Gronkowski contributed yet again vs. Florida State (11/22) with a team-high four receptions for 46 yards during his final game at Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. He has tallied at least one reception in 10 games this season.
• A candidate for the John Mackey Award, bestowed to the nation's top tight end, Gronkowski currently ranks tied for second on the team in receptions (29) and third in receiving yards (287).
• Gronkowski earned honorable mention All-ACC honors for his efforts this season, marking the third time in four seasons a Maryland tight end has garnered conference accolades (also Joey Haynos in 2006 and Vernon Davis in 2005).

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 (first career start vs. BC), 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 10th in the ACC and tied for 39th in the nation in interceptions (0.33 pg).

Fokou's Sack Barrage...
Formerly a walk-on, LB Moise Fokou has come up big for the Maryland defense this season, applying pressure on opposing quarterbacks throughout the campaign. He recorded his team-leading fifth sack of the season at Virginia Tech (11/6) and has tallied at least one-half TFL in each of the previous four games in registering 11.0 on the season.
• Fokou leads the team in sacks, ranks 13th in the ACC and it tied for 100th in the nation in sacks (0.42 pg). He also leads Maryland in TFLs, ranking tied for 11th in the ACC and tied for 97th in the nation (.92 pg). His five sacks are the most by a Maryland linebacker since Shawne Merriman had a team-best 8.5 in 2004.

Terp Trickery...
Under first-year offensive coordinator James Franklin, Maryland's offense has developed into one for which the quarterback is not necessarily the only player to throw the ball. RB Da'Rel Scott's 9-yard TD pass to WR Darrius Heyward-Bey against Wake Forest (10/18) marked the second time this season a non-quarterback threw a TD pass for the Terps.
• Earlier this season in the game against Eastern Michigan (9/20), all three of Maryland's first-string wide receivers got involved in a trick play that resulted in a touchdown. Heyward-Bey took a handoff and threw a lateral to fellow WR Danny Oquendo, who threw a 43-yard TD pass to fellow WR Isaiah Williams. The play marked Oquendo's first career touchdown pass and Williams' first score of the season. Oquendo became Maryland's first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass since RB Josh Allen threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Oquendo vs. Boston College on Nov. 18, 2006.
• Maryland's offensive creativity continued against Virginia (10/4). On the final play of the first half, QB Chris Turner connected with Williams for an 11-yard gain. Williams proceeded to shovel the ball to a streaking Heyward-Bey (25 yards), who tossed a lateral pass to Scott (nine yards). The play totaled 45 yards, making it the Terps' third-longest pass play of the season.

Special Indeed...
Maryland's special teams unit has come up big all season long and that trend continued against North Carolina (11/15), as PK Obi Egekeze hit a game-winning 26-yard field goal.
• The special teams units' performance vs. North Carolina was hardly its first noteworthy one this season. During the game at Virginia Tech (11/6), freshman WR Tony Logan recovered a botched punt return at the Hokies 11-yard line during the third quarter to set up PK Obi Egekeze's second field goal of the game.
• During the win over NC State (10/25), Egekeze kicked the game-winning field goal and also hit a career-long 47-yarder. In the previous game against Wake Forest (10/18), Egekeze kicked four field goals to provide Maryland some breathing room. One week after LB Adrian Moten blocked a punt and WR Torrey Smith notched a 57-yard kickoff return in a win over Eastern Michigan (9/20), LS Andrew Schmitt recovered a muffed punt against Clemson (9/27) to set up a Maryland field goal in that upset victory.

Friedgen Preaches Discipline...
Head coach Ralph Friedgen and his staff continually preach disciplined play to the Terps, and the team seems to be listening. Through the end of the regular season, Maryland ranks first in the ACC and tied for 13th nationally (FBS) in fewest penalties (4.58 pg).

Baltz's Punting Prowess...
P Travis Baltz has booted himself into the nation's elite at his position during his sophomore season. The Whitehouse, Ohio, native has punted 53 times for an average of 41.4 ypp, placing 36 percent of his punts (19 of 53) inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
• Baltz currently ranks first in the ACC and 37th in the nation in punting (41.4 ypp). Thanks in large part to Baltz, Maryland also leads the conference and ranks 16th nationally in net punting (37.6 ypp).
• Baltz earned first team All-ACC honors for his punting this season, marking the seventh time in the last eight seasons a Maryland punter has garnered all-conference honors.

Spreading the Wealth...
Making his first career start, FB Taylor Watson recorded his first career reception during the Terps' opening drive at Virginia Tech (11/6) when QB Chris Turner found him for 11 yards. Watson is the 17th Maryland player to catch a pass in 2008 - the most in one season since 18 Terps notched receptions in 2003.

Navarre's Defensive Leadership...
DL Jeremy Navarre has provided leadership for the Terps all season, and he had perhaps his best game of the year in the win over NC State (10/25). The senior sacked QB Russell Wilson for a loss of 12 during the fourth quarter, ensuring the Wolfpack had to punt rather than attempt a long field goal and setting up the Terps final drive. Navarre finished the game with six stops, including 2.5 TFLs, and one forced fumble.
• Navarre currently leads all conference defensive linemen and ranks tied for 38th in the ACC in tackles (5.2 pg). He also ranks tied for third on the team in sacks (2.5) and tied for fourth in PBUs (three).

Big Play Ability...
The Terps offense has notched 50 plays (17 rush/33 pass) of 20 yards or more so far this season. WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has accounted for 11 (eight receiving and three rushing) of the 50 plays and RB Da'Rel Scott has accounted for 11 (nine rushing and two receiving).

Veteran Leadership...
The Terps have a veteran team this season with 30 seniors on the current roster. Last season, Maryland had just 15 seniors on its roster. The 30 seniors are the most in the Ralph Friedgen era (previous high - 21 in 2003). In the season opener vs. Delaware, 17 of those seniors started the game.

By The Numbers...

1...LB Moise Fokou is the only player in the ACC to post at least 70 tackles and 5.0 sacks.

3...The Terps are one of only three FBS teams in the country to defeat at least four ranked teams (AP poll). Florida and Oklahoma have each downed five Top 25 teams.

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.

9...Number of Terps All-ACC players this season, which matched Boston College for tops in the league.

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 seven times this season, including five of the last six games.

13...Number of current players who will graduate in December. The list includes Aaron Ball, Kevin Barnes, Chase Bullock, Rick Costa, Trey Covington, Ricardo Dacosta, Moise Fokou, Jeremy Navarre, Lee Oliver, Danny Oquendo, Andrew Schmitt, Alex Schultz and Jaimie Thomas.

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 24).

27...Number of the Terps' 30 seniors who are on track to graduate by May. The other three are expected to graduate next summer.

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).

83.3...Obi Egekeze has hit 83.3 percent of his career field-goal attempts (25 of 30) in ACC action.

99...The Terps have connected on 99 straight PATs, dating back to 2005 (vs. UNC). Obi Egekeze hit all 36 attempts last season and 28 this year. Dan Ennis was good on all 32 in 2006.