Humanitarian Bowl: Maryland vs. Nevada

By JOHN GARRETT

December 30 * 4:30 PM * ESPN

Nevada’s high-powered offense will take on a Maryland squad that had their sights set on the Orange Bowl – but should still be motivated. Maryland will be making its sixth bowl appearance in eight years. After having a shot at the Atlantic Division title – before they dropped back-to-back games to Florida State and Boston College and finished the season 1-3 – the Terrapins should be motivated to end the season on a positive note. The problem is, the Terps have been inconsistent on defense all season and have struggled to run the ball, checking in at 72nd in the nation with 134.5 yards per game. Nevada-Reno finished in a three-way tie for second place in the WAC behind undefeated Boise State. The Wolf Pack won three of its last four regular-season games with the only loss coming to the Broncos. Nevada ranked fifth in the nation in total offense with 510.6 yards per game and second in rushing with 291.4 yards per game. The unit, led by Colin Kaepernick, who has 1,115 rushing yards and 2,479 passing yards, could prove to be too much to handle for Maryland. Running back Vai Taua also rushed for 1,420 yards this year and, with Kaepernick, combined for the country’s second-best rushing attack with 291.42 yards per game. The Wolf Pack defense also ranks fifth in the nation in rushing defense with 74.5 yards per game allowed, but struggled in the secondary, allowing 321.08 yards per game which was worst in the nation.

Inside the Numbers – Pass, Run & Catch

Maryland Terrapins (7-5, 4-4)
Pass: Chris Turner – 2,318 yards, 11 TDs
Run: Da’Rel Scott – 959 yards, 6 TDs
Catch: Darrius Heyward-Bey – 38-561-5 TDs

Nevada Wolf Pack (7-5, 5-3)
Pass: Colin Kaepernick – 2,479 yards, 19 TDs
Run: Vai Taua – 1,420 yards, 14 TDs
Catch: Marko Mitchell – 56-1,011-9 TDs

TCU IS TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL NATIONAL TEAM OF THE WEEK

DALLAS (FWAA) – With their 32-7 win over 9th-ranked BYU, the TCU Horned Frogs (7-1) are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games of the weekend of Oct. 18.

TCU sacked BYU quarterback Max Hall six times and ran out to a 23-0 halftime lead before ending the nation's longest winning streak at 16 games.

The TCU defense, which leads the nation in fewest yards allowed per game, limited BYU to 297 yards and just 23 on the ground while forcing four turnovers from the previously unbeaten Cougars.

Other Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Oct. 18 included:

* Maryland (5-2): The Terrapins limited Wake Forest to 219 yards in handing the Demon Deacons their first shutout loss in more than ten years, 26-0, in College Park.

* Texas (7-0): Colt McColt completed 29-of-32 passes for 337 yards and two touchdowns as the top-ranked Longhorns flattened Missouri, 56-31.

The FWAA has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. This is the fifth season that the award has been sponsored by the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Members of the FWAA board of directors and All-America committee decide the weekly honor. Each Monday during the 2008 college football season, the FWAA will name the Tostitos Bowl National Team of the Week through Dec. 1.

Since 1971, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl has hosted six games that have decided the college football national championship, including three Bowl Championship Series title games. This season the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game will be played on Jan. 5, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., and the Insight Bowl will be played on Dec. 31, 2008 at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.

For more information on the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week, go to www.footballwriters.com or www.fiestabowl.org.

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)

Boston College seeks to rebound against desperate Maryland

By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- One true test for a football team is its ability to bounce back from a defeat. Maryland has had plenty of
practice at it, and still hasn't perfected the technique.

Now, it's time to see how Boston College fares. The Eagles' pursuit of a national championship was interrupted last week with a 27-17 loss to Florida State. The setback dropped Boston College from second to eighth in the AP poll and put the Eagles in position for the first time to see how they cope with adversity.

Boston College (8-1, 4-1 ACC) is absolutely certain there will be no letdown against Maryland (4-5, 1-4) on Saturday night.

"I don't think it's going to be a problem at all. Our goal has always been to win the ACC championship game, and anything else would have been extra," Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski said. "We're still right in the thick of things. Our goal is to win the ACC first. If that happens, we'll see what happens after that."

Boston College had four turnovers against the Seminoles, but there's nothing to be gained by lamenting the loss.

"It's just one game, it's one isolated incident and you have to go ahead and put it behind you and make sure we prepare and try and play well this week," Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan said. "That's the focus."

Boston College's loss was no less agonizing than Maryland's first defeat, an overtime disaster at Wake Forest on Sept. 22 in which the Terrapins blew a 24-3 lead. Maryland rebounded to beat Rutgers the following week.

After their next loss, however, the Terrapins lost again. And again. Now mired in a three-game skid, Maryland needs to win two of three to qualify for a bowl bid.

The problem is that the Terps have been left woefully short-handed by a series of injuries that has wiped out the offensive line and picked apart a defense that needs all the help it can get against Ryan & Co.

"I've never had a season like this -- ever," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "The good thing about it is our players. They haven't responded negatively to negative things. I told them that the only thing we have to worry about is what we can control. We're not going to undo what's been done."

Junior linebacker Erin Henderson, who already missed a game this season with a sore knee, intends to play Saturday despite being hindered by a back injury. He expects to see a Boston College team looking for redemption.

"They were having a dream season. I know they're going to be trying to get back on track, and I know they're just as excited to get that taste out of their mouth as we have been for the past three weeks," Henderson said.

This will be the final home game for 15 Maryland seniors. "I'm sure they're going to be pumped up and ready to go," Ryan said. "And night games, they always provide a little bit of extra excitement. It's going to be fun, and we're going to be prepared for it."

Boston College linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar, who scored two touchdowns in last year's 38-16 rout of Maryland, sprained his ankle against Florida State and is questionable for Saturday night. If he's not healthy enough to go, he will provide plenty of vocal support on the sideline.

"We sill have a lot of play for. Our season isn't over," Dunbar said. "We still have a lot of goals that can be reached. So, as long as we continue to play hard and focus and execute, we should be all right."

Source: A.P. Wire; Photo Credit: Collegiate Images

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.