Nov. 1, 1997

Terps Fall to Virginia 45-0

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Aaron Brooks passed for three touchdowns and ran for two more as Virgina defeated Maryland for the sixth straight time, 45-0, in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Brooks completed 11-of-16 passes for 145 yards and carried six times for 77 yards for the Cavaliers (5-3, 4-2 ACC), who posted their most lopsided win since a 62-14 win over North Carolina State last season.

Maryland (2-7, 1-5) suffered its worst loss since a 70-7 thrashing by Penn State in 1993 and its worst shutout loss since a 48-0 setback, also to Penn State, in 1969. The Terrapins had a touchdown called back by a penalty in the final minute and Brian Kopka missed a 32-yard field goal on the game's last play.

Brooks engineered a pair of long scoring drives, beginning with an 18-play, 74-yard march following the opening kickoff that culminated with a 12-yard pass to Allen Roberts. The Cavaliers then had a 14-play, 82-yard drive capped by a seven-yard run by Brooks early in the second quarter.

Brooks faked a handoff and raced 59 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0 with 3:17 left in the second quarter. John Allen Roberts kicked a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter to increase the lead to 24-0 at halftime.

Brooks added TD passes of 33 yards to Terrence Wilkins and seven yards to Kevin Coffey before leaving midway through the third quarter. Kirby Mack capped the scoring with a three-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Maryland has lost four straight games.