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Saturday, Nov. 27

Maryland (7-4, 4-3 ACC)

vs.

No. 21 NC State (8-3, 5-2 ACC)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: College Park, Md.
Stadium: Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium (54,000).

Gameday Information...
• Directions to Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium
• Parking
• Gameday Quick Facts
• Tailgating Tips

TV: ESPN2 - Dave Lamont (pbp) and J.C. Pearson (color) will call the action. The broadcast can also be seen on ESPN3.com. Comcast SportsNet will air a replay of the ESPN2 telecast in the Washington, D.C./Baltimore market 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. The Toyota Tailgate Show with Gary Stein and Scott McBrien begins at 2 p.m. EST. The game can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio Channel 191 and Sirius Channel 213. Click here to Listen Live on-line through Terps TV. The Terrapin Sports Radio Network (15 affiliates): WJZ-FM 105.7 - Baltimore (Flagship); WJZ-AM 1300 - Baltimore (Flagship); ESPN980-AM - Washington D.C.; WWXX-FM 94.3 - Buckland, Va.; WCEM-AM 1240 - Cambridge; WBEY-FM 97.9 - Crisfield; WGOP-AM 540 - Crisfield; WFMD-AM 930 - Frederick; WARK-AM 1490 - Hagerstown; WPTX-AM 1690 - Lexington Park; WVMD-FM 99.5 - Midland; WMSG-AM 1050 - Oakland; WQMR-FM 101.1 - Ocean City; WWXT-FM 92.7 - Prince Frederick, Md.; WTGM-AM 960 - Salisbury.

Tickets: Tickets are available for the game. Fans may call 1-800-IM-A-TERP from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays or click here. The ticket office at Comcast Center will be open from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on gameday. Sales will continue at Byrd Stadium beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Thanksgiving Family Package includes 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas for only $65.

Friedgen and the Terps on the Air: Maryland's football broadcasting lineup for 2010 includes the Terrapin Sports Radio Network which has 15 affiliates. The Ralph Friedgen Television Show, which is presented by Outback Steakhouse, airs weekly at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic with the first show airing this weekend. The fast-paced, 30-minute show goes behind the scenes with Friedgen and the Maryland football team. Replays of the show are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Comcast SportsNet, just prior to the rebroadcast of the Terps most recent football game. Comcast SportsNet will carry the official rebroadcasts of all 12 University of Maryland football matchups. 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 6:15 p.m. each Wednesday.

First-and-10...
• Maryland was eliminated from the ACC Atlantic Division race with Saturday's heart-breaking 30-16 home loss to Florida State. The Terps were done in by uncharacteristically turning the ball over. However, this Saturday's home game, which will serve as Senior Day for the Terps, has division title implications as NC State needs a win to earn a trip to the ACC Championship game. The Terrapins, who have improved their win total by five games from a year ago under 10th-year head coach Ralph Friedgen, hope to bolster their bowl stock and knock off a ranked team.
• The Maryland offense, under third-year coordinator and assistant head coach James Franklin, has been an efficient and mostly mistake-free unit this season. The Terps, who have posted over 400 total yards in three of the last four games, rank 46th nationally in scoring offense (31.4 ppg) and still lead the ACC in fewest turnovers (12), despite a season-high four (three on offense) vs. Florida State (11/20). RBs Da'Rel Scott and Davin Meggett, and WR Torrey Smith have all produced for an offense which has scored seven times this season on plays of 40 yards or more. Smith, one of the most dynamic players in the nation, has eight TD receptions (second in the ACC) and is averaging 74.6 receiving yards per game (third in the ACC). He is also third in the ACC in all-purpose yards (117.6 ypg) despite battling an ankle injury. Danny O'Brien has emerged as the starting QB since subbing for an injured Jamarr Robinson (shoulder) against FIU (9/25). O'Brien, who has started the last eight games (5-3 record), has earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors four times (vs. FIU, 9/25; vs. BC, 10/23; vs. Wake Forest, 10/30; vs. Virginia, 11/13). O'Brien ranks fifth in the ACC in passing efficiency (128.6) and sixth among FBS freshmen. The o-line has allowed two or fewer sacks in nine games, including just a pair to FSU, the national leader in that category. The line depth has been depleted by injury with LT Justin Gilbert (knee) and RT Pete DeSouza (fractured legs) out for the season. RT Paul Pinegar (moved from center), LG Andrew Gonnella and LT R.J. Dill (moved from RT) have the most experience along the line. RG Justin Lewis and C Bennett Fulper man the other two spots, though both suffered injuries during the FSU game.
• The linebacker corps, including two-time All-ACC performer Alex Wujciak, and a hard-hitting secondary anchor the defense under second-year coordinator Don Brown. The Terps, who have scored four times defensively (tied for third in the FBS), rank 37th nationally in points allowed (21.6 ppg) and are tied for 16th in red-zone defense (74 percent). Maryland is allowing foes to gain just 4.8 yards per play, which ranks tied for second in the ACC. The Terps possess four of the top 20 tacklers in the ACC. Wujciak, who was listed among the preseason candidates for five national awards, ranks fourth in the league and 27th nationally in tackles (9.6 pg). LB Adrian Moten, a playmaker throughout his career, ranks tied for 20th in the ACC in stops (6.1 pg) and tied for eighth in passes defended (0.82 pg). Demetrius Hartsfield, the third member of the linebacking corps, ranks third on the team in stops (68). Joe Vellano ranks fifth in the ACC in tackles among linemen (4.8 pg) and has a team-high five sacks. The secondary has a number of playmakers. CB Cameron Chism is tied with SS Antwine Perez for the team lead in pass breakups (seven), while FS Kenny Tate ranks tied for sixth in the ACC in tackles (8.0 pg), first in forced fumbles (0.36 pg) and tied for 10th in interceptions (0.27 pg).
• Special teams was expected be a strength this season with all the top performers back and the Terps have been solid overall through 11 games. Travis Baltz, a 2008 first team All-ACC punter, has handled both kicking chores this season. Baltz, who was a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, has connected on 12 of his 14 FG attempts and is averaging 42.6 yards per punt, which is fifth in the league. Junior Tony Logan has been one of the top punt returners in the nation. He has returned two punts for scores, becoming one of just two players in ACC history to post consecutive games with a return for a score. Logan is also averaging 19.4 ypr which is third in the FBS. Smith was one of the top kick returners in the country last season, posting an ACC single-season record 1,309 yards. He also is the career leader in the league as well, setting that mark vs. Miami (11/6).

Quick Hitters...
• Maryland is bowl eligible for the seventh time in Ralph Friedgen's 10 seasons.
• The Terps are seeking their fifth eight-win regular season under Friedgen (2001-03, 2006). The Terps have a chance to win at least nine games for the 14th time in school history. Four of those have come during Friedgen's tenure.
• Maryland, 2-9 at this point last year, has posted the best turnaround in the ACC (+5). No other team's win total has increased by more than four (NC State) from its 2009 record through 11 contests. The five-win increase is also the second-best turnaround in the FBS so far this year (Miami [Ohio] - 6). The turnaround in the win column matches the best in school history during the modern era (also 2000-01 under Friedgen, and 1944-45).
• Saturday's game will serve as the final home appearance for 16 seniors: LB Adrian Moten, DB Antwine Perez, WR LaQuan Williams, WR Adrian Cannon, DB Kevin Brown, DL Drew Gloster, RB Da'Rel Scott, DB Michael Carter, RB Mike Salvatico, LB Alex Wujciak, P/PK Travis Baltz, P Ted Townsley, OL Paul Pinegar, WR Emani Lee-Odai, WR Joey McQueeney and TE Will Yeatman. They will be honored before kickoff. Juniors Louis Berman, Paul Lariviere, Nick Peterson, Eric Powell and Chris Rhodes, who are all graduating this year, will also take part in the ceremonies, as will student assistants Tyler Bowen and Stephen St. John.
• Friedgen became the 13th head coach in ACC history to amass 70 career wins with the victory over Duke (10/2). The win over Virginia was his 73rd which places him in a tie for third in school history with Jim Tatum. Curley Byrd is the all-time leader with 119 and Jerry Claiborne is second (77).
• Danny O'Brien threw for 269 yards vs. FSU (11/20) and is now in 13th place on the ACC single-season freshman passing yardage list (1,840). He also had his 17th TD pass of the season, moving him into a tie for fifth on Maryland's single-season passing TD list. It marks the most TD passes by a Terp since Scott McBrien had 19 in 2003. Scott Milanovich has the school record with 26 in 1993.
• Torrey Smith posted 147 all-purpose yards vs. FSU (11/20) to move from 15th to 13th on the ACC career list (4,911). He needs 89 all-purpose yards to become the eighth player in league history with 5,000 or more, and 50 to set the Maryland career mark. LaMont Jordan (1997-00) had 4,960 in his career.
• Wujciak had 10 tackles against FSU (11/20), giving him 105 on the season. The senior has at least 100 tackles in three straight seasons and is just the sixth player in school history to accomplish that feat (also D'Qwell Jackson, E.J. Henderson, Eric Barton, Ratcliff Thomas and Chuck Faucette).
• Kenny Tate posted his third interception this season in the FSU game (11/20). The Terps have 16 interceptions this year, the most since 2002 when they had 18. Eight of those interceptions have come from linebackers (Moten - 4; Wujciak - 2; Demetrius Hartsfield - 1; Ryan Donohue - 1).
• The Terps four defensive scores this season (all interception returns for TDs) match the team's total from the last five years (two in 2009, one in 2006, one in 2005). In fact since 1987, the Terps have posted as many as three just three times (1998-00).
• RT Pete DeSouza was lost for the year after being injured in a traffic accident on Oct. 21 so the Terps had to adjust vs. BC (10/23). Pinegar moved from center to RT with Bennett Fulper starting at center. The Terps remained with that lineup the last four games.
• Moten has a career-best four interceptions which is second on Maryland's single-season chart for linebackers, trailing only Karl Edwards' five in 1987. The senior's 0.36 picks per game ranks tied first in the FBS among LBs.
• Moten is one of only two players in the ACC (also Davon Morgan, Va Tech) with at least four interceptions and 65 or more tackles.
• Wujciak, an honors candidate, has averaged 10.2 tackles per game in his career which is third in the nation among active players.

Movement on the Line...
The Terps had to adjust on the fly after two injuries to the offensive line unit during the first half of the Florida State game (11/20). Right guard Justin Lewis had a knee injury, and Pete White replaced him. Center Bennett Fulper had a hand injury, forcing right tackle Paul Pinegar to move to center, left tackle R.J. Dill to move to right tackle, and true freshman Max Garcia to enter the game at left tackle for his first action this season. Fulper returned to the game, but Lewis did not. In addition, Garcia saw action in 15 plays before being injured and leaving the game. Fulper returned to play center in the second half, while Dill returned to left tackle and Pinegar back to right tackle.

Terps Support Wounded Warrior Project...
The Maryland Department of Athletics and Under Armour announced on Oct. 11 a continued partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), a not-for-profit organization that provides programs and services for injured service members and their families. The Terrapins wore specially-designed head-to-toe uniforms for their matchup versus Florida State (11/20). Maryland took the field in black and desert camouflage uniforms featuring the Wounded Warrior Project logo. This marked the second year Under Armour designed custom uniforms to honor the U.S. Armed Forces, with cleats being a new addition for this year (Utah and Texas Tech took part in the intiative and wore the jerseys on Nov. 6). The gear is part of the UA Freedom initiative, launched in July to support our nation's military and public safety heroes, and Under Armour's partnership with WWP. The uniforms also had a unique twist; a core value embellishment - Duty, Honor, Courage, Commitment, Integrity, Country, and Service - replaced the players' last name on the back of each jersey. The custom gameday jerseys are being auctioned off until Dec. 2 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Wounded Warrior Project. Under Armour school-specific fan gear is on sale at university bookstores and www.underarmour.com with a portion of the proceeds going to WWP as well.

Clamping Down...
After finishing 83rd in total defense (396.3 yards per game) and 100th in points allowed (31.3 pg) last season, Maryland's attacking-style unit has gradually improved this year, and now the Terps are among the better defenses in the FBS. The Terps rank 37th in scoring defense (21.6 ppg), 40th in total defense (345.7 ypg), 38th in rushing defense (133.0 ypg), tied for 16th in red-zone defense (74 percent) and tied for 26th in turnovers gained (23). Before surrendering a season-high 504 total yards to Miami (11/6), Maryland held Wake Forest (10/30), which was averaging 206.6 rushing yards per game, to minus-3 yards on the ground (lowest total by an opponent in 11 years). Fourth-down stops have been a key in four victories, including a goal-line stand on Navy's final play in the season opener (9/6). The Terps also had important fourth-down stops at the end of the FIU (9/25), Duke (10/2) and BC (10/23) games. The opposing offense is just 3-for-11 (27 percent) converting fourth downs in the fourth quarter.

Streaks and Trends...
• The Terps are 4-1 at home this season.
• Maryland is 6-2 when winning the turnover battle and 4-2 when being outgained by the opponent.
• The Terps are 3-1 in games decided by seven points or less. Last year, they lost four games by four points or less and the last two by a combined five points. So far the Terps have regained their form of 2008 when they were 6-1 in games decided by a TD or less.
• Travis Baltz has connected on his last seven field-goal attempts, including a career-high three vs. Florida State (11/20).
• The Terps rank 11th in the ACC in third-down conversions (34.9 percent), but over the last five games they have converted 43.8 percent (32 of 73) of their opportunities, including a season-high 9 of 16 (56.3 percent) vs. Virginia (11/13).
• Despite a season-high four turnovers vs. FSU (10/16), the Terps have turned the ball over just 12 times this year (eight interceptions/four fumbles) and just four of those (two vs. Navy, 9/6; one vs. Miami, 11/6; one vs. FSU, 11/20) occurred in the red zone. Maryland is tied for the ACC lead and ranks tied for sixth in the FBS in fewest turnovers. The Terps had 24 turnovers (10 picks/14 fumbles) last season.
• Alex Wujciak has started a team-best 36 straight games, all at Mike LB. Paul Pinegar's 23 straight starts lead the offense.
• Ten defensive players have started all 11 games. Defensive coordinator Don Brown has started three safeties three times with NT A.J. Francis sitting in those instances. There have been seven offensive players who have started each game. The Terps have started the same offensive line unit the last four games, after injuries caused reshuffling earlier in the season.
• The Terps have recorded 23 picks over the last 16 games. They have at least one interception in nine of 11 games this season.

Wujciak Does It Again...
One of the top tacklers in the nation the last three years, Alex Wujciak makes plays for the Terps in a number of ways. The senior intercepted Stephen Morris of Miami (11/6) and returned it 60 yards for a TD, the second pick-six of his career (also vs. NC State in 2009). He then intercepted Morris again in the third quarter and returned it 26 yards to set up a potential scoring drive. Wujciak set the Maryland single-season record for interception return yards (152) a year ago and he is now second in career interception return yards with 238, trailing only Tom Brown (275/1960-62). Wujciak is one of just five players, and the only linebacker, in Maryland history with two interception returns for TDs.

Dynamic Duo...
Maryland may have one of the top safety duos in the country. A disruptive force who is having an impressive season, Kenny Tate ranks tied for sixth in the ACC in tackles (8.0 per game), which is tied for tops among defensive backs. He is also tied for 10th in the FBS in forced fumbles (0.36 per game) and is the top sack producer in the ACC among defensive backs (0.32 pg). The junior, who was a candidate for the 2010 Thorpe Award, also has two interceptions, returning one for score vs. Wake Forest (10/30). Tate's counterpart Antwine Perez, another candidate for postseason honors, is coming off five straight impressive performances. He earned ACC Defensive Back of Week after posting a career-best two interceptions and recovering a fumble in a 24-21 win over BC (10/23). He chipped in a sack and a forced fumble vs. Wake Forest (10/30) and eight tackles, including a season-best six solo stops, vs. Miami (11/6). Perez had seven tackles and one PBU vs. Virginia (11/13), and seven tackles and 1.5 TFLs against Florida State (11/20). He ranks tied for fourth in the ACC in passes defended (0.91 pg), tied for seventh in fumbles recovered (0.18 pg) and tied for 10th in interceptions (0.27 pg). The Perez-Tate duo has been one of the keys to the Terps possessing the second best turnover margin in the ACC (t-9th in the FBS) and 12th-best pass efficiency defense in the nation.

What to Look for vs. NC State and Beyond...
• Maryland is seeking to reach five wins in the ACC for the first time since 2006 and is looking to reach eight overall wins for the first time since 2008 and sixth time in Ralph Friedgen's tenure.
• Senior LB Adrian Moten, who has 23.5 career tackles for loss, needs 0.5 more to reach the top 15 on the Maryland all-time list.
• Junior Torrey Smith, who set the ACC career kickoff return yards mark vs. Miami (11/6), ranks second in school history in career all-purpose yardage (4,911). He needs 50 yards to pass Lamont Jordan (4,960/1997-00) who holds the school record.
• With 147 all-purpose yards against Florida State (11/20), Smith moved past Tiki Barber of Virginia and Peter Warrick of Florida State for 13th place on the ACC career list. Should the junior pass Lamont Jordan, he would also move into the top 10 on the ACC career list.
• Smith has 136 career catches which is fourth in school history. He needs three catches to move past Darrius Heyward-Bey for third place. He also has 1,981 receiving yards, ranking fourth on the Maryland career list. Smith needs 19 yards to become the fourth player in school history with 2,000 career receiving yards. With 109 more receiving yards this season, Smith would move into second all-time on the school's receiving yardage list. Jermaine Lewis (1992-95) is the record-holder with 2,932.
• Smith has eight TD receptions this season and would tie the school record of nine set by Jermaine Lewis (1994) and Marcus Badgett (1992) with one more.
• Danny O'Brien, who set the Maryland single-season freshman passing yards mark vs. Miami (11/6), currently ranks 13th on the ACC single-season freshman passing yardage list with 1,840. He needs 157 yards to move into the top 10.
• O'Brien has 17 passing touchdowns and one more would tie him for the fourth-most in school history with Boomer Esiason, who had 18 in 1982.
• Davin Meggett needs 46 rushing yards to reach the Maryland career top 20 list.

Triple Threat...
Zachariah Kerr is in his second season as a reserve defensive tackle, rotating in for starters A.J. Francis and Joe Vellano. But Kerr, who checks in a svelte 320 pounds, has also seen action on special teams and offense. He has served as blocker on kickoff returns the last few games and got into the fray offensively vs. Virginia (11/13), opening holes for D.J. Adams as a fullback. Kerr, who runs a sub 5.0 in the 40-yard dash, aided Adams in scoring two of his three touchdowns and was in on two plays at fuillback vs. Florida State (11/20).

NC State At-A-Glance...
• NC State is 8-3 overall, including 5-2 in the ACC, needing a victory to claim the Atlantic Division title and a spot in the ACC title game in Charlotte.
• Quarterback Russell Wilson leads the ACC's top-ranked passing offense, averaging 270.6 yards per game. Wilson has thrown an ACC-best 24 touchdowns.
• The Wolfpack is averaging 32.7 points per game, second best in the ACC. • Owen Spencer is NC State's top receiver, checking in at fourth in the conference in receiving yards (72.6 pg) and fifth in receptions (4.73 pg).
• Safety Earl Wolff, just a sophomore, has been one of the top playmakers in the ACC. His 8.0 tackles per game is tied for sixth in the league. He also has 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception and three forced fumbles.
• Offensively and defensively, NC State is one of the best teams in the ACC in third-down conversions. The Wolfpack offense ranks second in the league in conversions (43.5 percent) and the defense leads the league (31.8 percent).
• The Wolfpack possess one of the most dangerous pass-rushing units in the nation. It ranks tied for third in the nation in sacks (3.27 pg) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (7.64 pg).
• Linebacker Nate Irving is fourth in the nation in tackles for loss (1.73 pg/19 total). Irving and fellow linebacker Audie Cole have a team-high five sacks apiece.

Terps-Wolfpack Series History...
• Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen is 6-3 against NC State., including 3-1 in College Park.
• Saturday's game marks the 67th meeting between Maryland and North Carolina State. The schools first met in 1909 when NC State shut out Maryland 33-0. The teams have met every season since 1956, and the series is even (31-31-4).
• The Wolfpack took eight of nine from the Terps from 1991 to 1999, before the Terps turned things around in the new millennium. Maryland has won seven of 10 in the series since 2000, with the games frequently ending in dramatic fashion. Aside from a 37-0 Maryland win in 2007, the eight games since 2000 have been decided by an average of 5.3 points. Nick Novak hit game-winning field goals for the Terps in the final seconds in 2002 and 2003, and Maryland scored the decisive touchdown in 2001 with 41 seconds left. Quarterback Shaun Hill rallied the Terps from a 15-point halftime deficit in the 2000 game for a 35-28 double-overtime victory.
• In 2007, Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore rushed for two TDs apiece in the regular-season finale which made the Terps bowl eligible. The Terrapins posted their first shutout since 2003 and first in a league game since 1996. Chris Turner was 19 of 24 for 206 yards and had a 41-yard keeper that set up a TD for Maryland which scored on four straight possessions in the first half to take control of the game.
• Last Time in College Park (2008): Obi Egekeze kicked a 20-yard field goal with 6 seconds left to lift Maryland to a 27-24 victory. The Terrapins moved the ball 89 yards over the final 4:00 to set up the score. Turner went 3-for-4 on the drive, including a 31-yard completion to running back Davin Meggett on a third-and-10 from the Wolfpack 35.

By The Numbers...
1... Kenny Tate is the only player in the ACC to rank in the top 10 in tackles (t-6th - 8.0 pg), INTs (t-10th - 0.27 pg) and forced fumbles (1st - 0.36 pg).

1... Despite losing two starting offensive tackles to season-ending injuries (Justin Gilbert - knee; Pete DeSouza - fractured legs), the Terps have allowed just nine sacks in their seven ACC games which is the fewest in the league.

2... Alex Wujciak is one of 11 active linebackers in the FBS with two career interceptions returned for a TD. Bruce Carter of UNC is the only other ACC player.

3... Danny O'Brien's 17 TD passes rank tied for third in the FBS among freshmen QBs.

3.1... The opposition is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry vs. Maryland in its seven ACC games, the second-best mark in the league.

6... Number on non-offensive touchdowns scored by the Terps (four interception returns; two punt returns) which leads the ACC. NC State is second with five.

6... Number of graduates on the 2010 roster. Michael Carter, Emani Lee-Odai, Adrian Moten, Joey McQueeney, Antwine Perez and Da'Rel Scott have each earned a degree.

9... The Terps have placed a punter on the Academic All-ACC team in each of the last nine seasons. Travis Baltz has been a member for the last three years (Adam Podlesh 2003-06; Brooks Barnard 2001-02).

12...Number of true freshmen who have started during Ralph Friedgen's 10 years (2001 - Domonique Foxworth, Randy Starks; 2003 - Vernon Davis; 2005 - Jeremy Navarre, Danny Oquendo, Jared Gaither; 2006 - Cory Jackson; 2007 - Travis Baltz; 2009 - Nick Ferrara, Bennett Fulper; 2010 - Desmond Kearse, Matt Robinson).

18... Number of players who have scored a TD this season, the most in the Ralph Friedgen era (17 in 2002 was the previous high).

20... Number of points the opposition has scored off 12 Maryland turnovers this season. In contrast, the Terps have scored 80 points off 23 opponent turnovers. The Terps surrendered a season-high 13 points off TOs to FSU (11/20).

26... The Terps have 26 players on NFL rosters (plus three on practice squads), which ranks third among ACC squads, trailing just Miami (42) and FSU (27). See list on page 28.

135... The Terps have not had a punt blocked since the Florida State contest (11/13/99), a stretch of 135 games, which is the longest active streak in the nation.