Wounded Terps snap No. 8 Boston College, 42-35

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Judging by their performance against crippled Maryland, it's hard to believe Boston College was unbeaten and ranked second in the nation just two weeks ago.

Playing against a struggling team mired in a three-game losing streak, the No. 8 Eagles yielded 472 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-35 loss Saturday night.

It was the most points Boston College has allowed in an Atlantic Coast Conference game since joining the league in 2005. In addition, the nation's top-ranked rushing defense (58 yards per game) surrendered a season-high 135 yards, even though Maryland was without its leading ground gainer.

Had they not lost one week ago to Florida State, the Eagles (8-2, 4-2) probably would have been playing for a chance to be No. 1 because top-ranked Ohio State lost earlier Saturday.

It's hopes for a national championship are over, but Boston College can still earn a berth in the ACC championship game with a win over Clemson next week.

Matt Ryan, who threw three interceptions against Florida State, went 33-for-56 for 421 yards and three touchdowns, but was intercepted twice.

The injury-plagued Terrapins (5-5, 2-4) played with a makeshift offensive line and without leading rusher Keon Lattimore (hamstring). Maryland was also without second-leading receiver Danny Oquendo (knee), and standout linebacker Erin Henderson played despite sitting out practice all week with a sore back.

But the Terps received a solid performance from Chris Turner, who went 21-for-27 for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Knowing it would be difficult to pound the ball inside, Maryland relied heavily on the passing game, often throwing deep and spreading the Boston College defense with quick tosses to the outside.

That enabled Lance Ball to rush 32 times for 109 yards and a score. Jason Goode caught two touchdown throws and had six catches, matching his total in Maryland's first nine games.

The Terrapins let a 42-21 lead dwindle to seven points when Ryan threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Purvis with 52 seconds left, but the subsequent onside kick failed to go the required 10 yards, giving Maryland possession and the victory.

At game's end, the fans rushed the field to celebrate the Terps' second win this season over a top-10 team. Maryland beat then-No. 10 Rutgers on Sept. 29.

Down 20-14 at halftime, Boston College took its first lead by opening the third quarter with a march that ended with Ryan throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Challenger.

Turner promptly passed for all the yardage in an 82-yard drive that ended with a 7-yarder to Goode for a 27-21 lead.

After Boston College's first punt of the game, Turner flipped a screen pass to Da'Rel Scott, who sprinted down the left sideline for a 57-yard score.

It became 42-21 when Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey ran for a 37-yard touchdown on a reverse with 14:21 left.

Ryan threw a touchdown pass to Purvis with 7:31 to go, but the Eagles couldn't complete the comeback after trailing at halftime in a third straight game.

Only minutes after bidding farewell to 15 seniors before the final home game, Maryland launched a crisp opening drive that covered 76 yards for a 7-0 lead. Turner completed three passes for 66 yards, including a 43-yarder to Heyward-Bey and a 10-yard touchdown toss to Goode.

The Terrapins then forced a punt, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty provided Boston College with a second chance at the Maryland 40. Ryan completed a 29-yard pass to Rich Gunnell to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by James McCluskey.

On the Eagles' next possession, however, a mistake by Ryan paved the way for the Terps to go up 14-7. Following the first career interception by Maryland senior tackle Dre Moore, Ball ran in from the 5, only the fifth rushing touchdown against BC this season.

McCluskey then capped an 86-yard drive by scoring from the 1 on the first play of the second quarter.

Maryland answered with a field goal before Boston College's Steve Aponavicius shanked a 34-yard attempt.

Source: ncaafootball.com; Photo Credit: Gene Galin (For more accfootballphotos.com)

Despite injuries, Terps haven't abandoned hope of bowl bid

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- They've tried desperately to overcome an uncanny rash of injuries, and all the Maryland Terrapins have received for their effort is three straight losses.

Now things really get tough. After facing eighth-ranked Boston College at home Saturday night, the Terps close out the season with road games against Florida State and North Carolina State.

Maryland (4-5, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) must win two of three to qualify for a bowl bid. It won't be easy, but at least the Terrapins haven't given up hope of salvaging a once-promising season.

"The type of team we are, we're not going to sit here and make excuses and feel sorry for ourselves," defensive end Jeremy Navarre said Tuesday. "For the past three or four weeks, we've heard about the whole injury thing. We're over it. We have to win with who we have. We can't throw the season away because we're hurt."

Only four offensive starters have played in all nine games, and the defense has been similarly stricken. Coach Ralph Friedgen says he's never experienced anything like it.

"I'm doing the best I can with what I've got," he said. A month ago, the Terrapins were soaring after successive wins over then-No. 10 Rutgers and Georgia Tech. Then came the injuries -- and losses to Virginia, Clemson and North Carolina.

If nothing else, Maryland knows exactly what must be done to extend its season beyond 12 games.

"We have a tough road ahead of us. We understand that," said standout linebacker Erin Henderson, who's nursing a strained back. "We've dealt with tough times this year with the injuries and the adversity we've had to face, but it's a pride thing. We're going to keep our heads high and compete every day."

Two out of three would give the Terps the minimum victories needed to receive a bowl bid. Why settle for just that, when a 7-5 record would be even more inviting to bowl scouts?

"We feel we need to win all three," Navarre said. "Boston College is No. 8 in the country and Florida State beat Boston College. It's not an easy way out, but it's like that every year."

Friedgen has spoken to his players individually and collectively in an effort to ensure they play hard to the end. He has no reason to expect anything less.

"We've got two ways to go. I told them I'd be disappointed if we didn't give everything we had," he said. "We haven't reached the goals we want to reach, but I really feel good about this team and how hard they've been playing. I know they're hurting. I understand that. I would be worried if they weren't."

Friedgen is hurting, too. Before the injuries began to mount, he expected the Terrapins to compete for the ACC title. Now they're in a desperate situation, but there's nothing to be gained by throwing down his whistle and cursing his luck.

"I'm not backing down. I'm not going to stop working," Friedgen said. "I'm not down. If anything, I'm motivated. I'm going to get this thing right and we're going to win football games here at Maryland."

Source: AP; Photo Credit: Gene Galin; To see more: accfootballphotos.com.