Oct. 25, 2008
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Postgame Notes
Division Leaders: With its victory over NC State on Saturday, Maryland is tied atop the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division with Florida State, both of which are 3-1 in conference play.
Bowl Eligible: By winning their sixth game of the season, the Terp now are bowl eligible for the sixth times in the last eight seasons under head coach Ralph Friedgen.
Good Company: Maryland is now 6-2 for the first time since 2006, when the team finished 9-4 and beat Purdue in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Home Sweet Home: The confines of Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium have proven friendly indeed for the Terps of late. Maryland has now won six consecutive home games, having not lost in College Park for nearly a year (last home loss: Oct. 27, 2007 versus Clemson). The 2006 campaign marked the last time Maryland opened a season by reeling off six straight home wins. During the Ralph Friedgen era, the Terps now have won 39 of 50 home games.
Wolf Tamer: With Saturday's victory, Maryland improved to 6-2 against NC State during Ralph Friedgen's eight seasons. That figure is tied for Friedgen's highest win total versus any conference opponent.
Day Trippers: The Terps now are 6-0 this season in games started during the day.
Homecoming: The Terps now have won seven of their last nine Homecoming games dating back to 2000.
Great Scott: Despite being only a sophomore, Da'Rel Scott has been Maryland's leading rusher all season, and Saturday was no exception. The Terps running back rushed for 163 yards on 23 carries against the Wolfpack, including a 24-yard touchdown run during the third quarter. His 39-yard burst during the second quarter marked his fourth rush of 35 yards or more this season. Scott's total was the most by a Maryland player during an ACC game since Josh Allen rushed for 257 against Virginia in 2003. Saturday's performance was Scott's third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
Mighty Meggett: RB Davin Meggett took over running duties on the Terps' final drive following a shoulder injury to Da'Rel Scott, accounting for 51 total yards during the 15-play, 89-yard game-winning drive (five carries for 20 rushing yards; 1 reception for 31 yards). Meggett also scored Maryland's second touchdown on Saturday when he ran in from 1-yard out during the second quarter. It was the third rushing touchdown of the season for Meggett, who ranks second on the team in that category. The true freshman finished with 34 yards on eight carries against the Wolfpack.
Through the Uprights: One game after notching a career-high four field goals against Wake Forest, PK Obi Egekeze kicked a game winning 20-yard field goal for the Terrapins with six seconds remaining in the game. It was Egekeze's first career last-second, game-winning field goal, as well as the first for Maryland since Dan Ennis hit one to beat Clemson in 2006. Egekeze also accounted for another career-best on Saturday, booting a career-long 47 yard field goal during the second quarter. That conversion moved Egekeze into a tie with Dale Castro for ninth place on Maryland's all-time list with 28 career field goals. He now has connected on 21 of 23 field goal attempts (.913) during ACC play for his career.
MARYLAND CAREER FIELD GOALS
Rk. Player (Years) Total
1. Nick Novak, 2001-04 80
2. Jess Atkinson, 1981-84 60
3. Dan Plocki, 1985-88 47
4. Brian Kopka, 1997-2000 42
5. Dan Ennis, 2003-2006 37
Steve Mike-Mayer, 1972-74 37
7. Dan DeArmas, 1988-91 32
8. Joe O'Donnell, 1994-96 28
9. Obi Egekeze, 2007-present 28
Dale Castro, 1979-80 27
Turner on Target: QB Chris Turner continued to orchestrate a productive Terps offense on Saturday despite weather conditions that hindered passing football, completing 9 of 20 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. With his touchdown pass to TE Dan Gronkowski during the first quarter, the 15th of his career, Turner moved into a four-way tie for 16th place in school history in that category. He remains in 11th place all-time in school history with 3,386 career passing yards.
MARYLAND CAREER PASSING YARDS
Rk. Player, Years Total
1. Scott Milanovich 1992-95 7,301
2. Boomer Esiason 1981-83 6,259
3. Scott McBrien 2002-03 5,169
4. Sam Hollenbach 2003-06 5,139
5. Neil O'Donnell 1987-89 4,989
6. Dan Henning 1985-87 4,560
7. Brian Cummings 1994-97 4,080
8. John Kaleo 1991-92 3,660
9. Stan Gelbaugh 1981-85 3,659
10. Dick Shiner 1961-63 3,410
11. Chris Turner, 2007-present 3,386
12. Bob Avellini 1972-74 3,222
Heyward-Bey Leading the Way: WR Darrius Heyward-Bey has been a catalyst for the Terps offense all season, and he continued to contribute against NC State. The junior wideout recorded two receptions for 28 yards, and he also rushed two times for 17 yards. Heyward-Bey has now caught at least one pass in 30 of the last 33 contests.
Chart Climber: With two receptions in today's contest, Darrius Heyward-Bey passed Russ Weaver (1992-94) for fourth place all-time at Maryland with 121 career receptions.
MARYLAND CAREER RECEPTIONS
Rk. Player (Years) Recs
1. Jermaine Lewis (1992-95) 193
2. Geroy Simon (1993-96) 185
3. Frank Wycheck (1990-92) 134
4. Darrius Heyward-Bey (2006-present) 121
5. Russ Weaver (1992-94) 120
6. Guilian Gary (1998-01) 113
7. Aziz Abdur-Ra'oof (1984-87) 108
Gronk' Going Strong: TE Dan Gronkowski had another strong performance against NC State, notching his third touchdown reception of the season on a 13-yard strike from QB Chris Turner during the first quarter to open Maryland's scoring. He also made a crucial 16-yard reception during the game-winning drive. With three receptions for a team-high 37 yards overall against the Wolfpack, Gronkowski continues to build on what has already become a career season for the senior. Gronkowski currently ranks second on the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He has now tallied multiple receptions in seven consecutive games.
Tackle Machine: As has been the case much of season, LB Alex Wujciak paced the team in tackles against NC State. The sophomore Mike linebacker tallied a game-high 15 tackles, marking the second-highest single game total of his career (he had 16 earlier this season against Clemson on Sept. 27). Maryland now is 5-0 this season when Wujciak and/or fellow LB Dave Philistin have a double-digit tackle performance.
Bullock to the Rescue: When LB Dave Philistin left the game with an injury during the first half, fellow LB Chase Bullock filled in admirably. The senior registered a career-high 11 tackles and two pass-breakups while playing Will linebacker for the Terps.
Defensive Leader: DL Jeremy Navarre has provided leadership for the Terps defense all season, and he came up big yet against Saturday. The senior defensive tackle sacked NC State QB Russell Wilson for a loss of 12 yards during the fourth quarter, ensuring the Wolfpack had to punt rather than attempt a long field goal. Navarre finished the game with six tackles, including two-and-a-half tackles for loss.
Points Off Turnover: Maryland has its defense to thank for its excellent starting field position that led to its second touchdown of the game. Just over three minutes into the second quarter, DB Terrell Skinner stripped the ball from NC State RB Andre Brown, and fellow DB Jamari McCollough recovered at the Wolfpack's 24-yard line. For Skinner, it marked his second forced fumble of the season and the third of his career. For McCollough, who leads the team with three interceptions, it marked the first fumble recovery of his career.
Extra Special Teams: The Terps special teams unit pinned the Wolfpack at their own 1-yard line during the second quarter when P Travis Baltz's punt of 54 yards was downed by FB Cory Jackson just short of the goal line. The play helped the Maryland defense force a punt on the ensuing drive.
First Sack: DL Dion Armstrong recorded the first sack of his career when he brought down NC State QB Russell Wilson for a loss of two during the second quarter. DB Jamari McCollough did likewise when he sacked Wilson for a loss of eight during the third quarter.
Streaks Continue: Several Terps extended streaks on Saturday. DL Jeremy Navarre has now played in 45 consecutive games, and his 43 career starts are the most on the team. OL Edwin Williams has now started 34 consecutive games, tops on the offense.
Series Record: Saturday's victory enabled Maryland to break a series ties with NC State, as the Terps improved to 31-30-4 all-time against the Wolfpack in a series dating back to 1909.
