Oct. 30, 2010

Recap |  Final Stats |  Quotes |  Photo Gallery  |  AP Photo Gallery 

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - Postgame notes following Maryland's 62-14 homecoming victory over Wake Forest.

Most Points in ACC Game: Maryland's 62 points matches its highest total ever in an ACC game. The Terps had 62 vs. Virginia on 11/22/75. This is also the first season in school history in which the Terps have posted 60 or more points twice in a game (62 vs. Morgan State, 9/11).

Tough Against the Run: Maryland held Wake Forest to minus-3 yards net rushing. It was the first time Maryland held an opponent on the negative side of rushing since 11/3/2001 when Troy State rushed for minus-1 on 26 attempts in a 47-14 Maryland victory. It also marked the best performance by a Maryland defense since holding Duke to minus-5 yards on 10/30/1999.

More Stopping the Run: Entering the game, Maryland ranked fourth in the ACC in rushing defense (143.6 ypg), including first in league-only games (79.3 ypg). The Terps have held each of their last four opponents (Duke, Clemson, BC and Wake Forest) under 100 yards on the ground. The Terps have surrendered 84.3 yards per game on the ground since the season opener vs. Navy (9/6). Entering this weekend, only 12 teams in the FBS surrendered less than 100 rushing yards per contest.

Total Defense: Maryland held Wake Forest to 155 yards in total offense. It is the second time the Terps have held an opponent under 160 yards this season (85 by Morgan State on 9/11/10).

Running the Ball: The Terps had a breakout day running the football with three backs gaining at least 50 yards. Maryland had more rushing yards today (261) than it had in three previous ACC games this season (211).

Block Party: The Terps have not had a punt blocked in 132 straight games, but over that time span they have blocked 16 of the opposition's, including two today and four on the season (two vs. Morgan State, 9/11). LaQuan Williams registered the Terps' third blocked punt of the season in the opening quarter. The 11-yard punt gave the Terps the ball at the WF 32. Maryland kicked a field goal 10 plays later. Nick Peterson added Maryland's fourth block punt of year in the second quarter. That block was recovered by Kevin Dorsey and the Terps scored two plays later on a 3-yard pass from Danny O'Brien to Haroon Brown.

Scott Hits Milestone: Senior Da'Rel Scott became the 10th back in school history to reach 2,000 career rushing yards on his fourth attempt of the day. Scott posted 50 yards on 11 carries in the game. Scott has 2,039 career rushing yards, which is 101 behind Willie Joyner (2,140/1980-83) who is ninth on the career list. Alvin Blount (2,158/1983-86) is eighth.

Another TD for Smith: WR Torrey Smith's touchdown catch in the first quarter was his seventh of the season and 14th of his career (third in school history). The seven TDs this season are the most by a Terp since Guilian Gary also had seven in 2000. Smith and Gary are two of seven players to post seven TD receptions in a season, which is tied for fourth in school history. Jermaine Lewis (1994) and Marcus Badgett (1992) hold the single-season school record with nine.

O'Brien in the Record Books: Danny O'Brien entered the game with nine touchdown passes on the season which is a Maryland freshman record and third most in the FBS this season by a first-year signal-caller. O'Brien set a career high with four TD passes and his 13 completions give him 95, which eclipses the Maryland freshman record (93 by Calvin McCall in 1999). McCall also holds the Maryland freshman record for single-season passing yards (1,264). O'Brien needs another 116 passing yards this season (1,148) to equal McCall's mark.

One Off the Mark: Danny O'Brien's four touchdown passes are the most in one game for a Terp since Joel Statham had four at Duke on 9/25/04. The school record is five which has been set five times (Scott Milanovich vs. NC State, 1994; Scott Milanovich vs. Wake Forest, 1993; Scott Milanovich vs. West Virginia, 1993; Scott Milanovich vs. North Carolina, 1993; John Kaleo vs. Clemson, 1992).

Taking it to the House: After going 41 games without scoring via a fumble or interception (Erin Henderson in 2006 vs. Virginia), Maryland has registered a defensive touchdown in four of the last 11 contests, including Kenny Tate's 8-yard interception return for a score in the third quarter. Demetrius Hartsfield's pick-six in the second quarter of the Morgan State game (9/11) was Maryland's first defensive score since Alex Wujciak scored on a 70-yard interception return on 11/14/09 at NC State. One week later, Jared Harrell fell on a fumble in the end zone vs. Virginia Tech (11/21/09). Tate nearly had a defensive score earlier this season, returning a West Virginia interception 53 yards (9/18)... Ryan Donohue followed midway through the third quarter with a 25-yard interception return for a score.

Opportunistic Defense: Maryland scored 14 points off two Wake Forest turnovers in the game. The Terrapins now have a 66-7 advantage on points off turnovers this season. Maryland forced two turnovers in the game and did not commit any.

First Time in the End Zone: WR Quintin McCree posted his first career touchdown reception in the second quarter. The 28-yard strike from Danny O'Brien gave the Terps a 17-7 lead. Haroon Brown got in the scoring column in the second quarter, hauling in a 2-yard TD pass from O'Brien to extend the lead to 24-7.

Tidbits: PR/WR Tony Logan, a high school quarterback, attempted his first career pass in the first quarter. The incomplete toss was intended for Torrey Smith ... Matt Robinson opened the game as a third safety, becoming the second true freshman (also Desmond Kearse) to start this season. There have been 12 true freshmen who have started in Ralph Friedgen's tenure.