Maryland is potentially bowl bound with one more victory.
The Terps took their fifth, and most decisive, win of the year at their homecoming against North Carolina State, 26-20, Saturday.
Recommended Stories
Maryland (5-2 overall, 2-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) put on a performance against the Wolfpack (3-4, 2-2) that head coach Ralph Friedgen said was the best he had seen from his team all season.
The team?s offense generated 280 total yards (165 rushing, 115 passing) and converted two Wolfpack turnovers into touchdowns.
“Offensively, defensively and on special teams we played really well,” Friedgen said. “We make it close though, it does not have to be this hard.”
The Terps were up 20-0 and kept N.C. State scoreless until nearly the end of the third quarter. The Wolfpack narrowed the lead after a 65-yard punt return touchdown by Darrel Blackman.
To add insult to injury, the Terps kickoff unit fumbled the ensuing return and lost possession.
“Up until that fumble I thought the special teams played well,” Friedgen said. “Dan Ennis came up big.”
Maryland?s kicker nailed four field goals in the win. After beating Virginia last week, Maryland has now won two straight conference games.
“Hopefully, we will get some momentum out of these wins,” Friedgen said. “If we win next week, who knows what we can do?”
Winning next week will be easier said than done with Florida State coming to Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium. The Seminoles will not be able to diminish the confidence that this Terps team carries boldly on its sleeve.
“We know we can play with anyone in the league as long as we do what we did today,” said junior linebacker Wesley Jefferson. “We just played more aggressively.”
Despite giving up a late touchdown, Maryland?s defense controlled N.C. State, with J.J. Justice and Erin Henderson coming up with key interceptions in the third quarter.
“The defense came up with some big turnovers and we were able to put up the points,” quarterback Sam Hollenbach said. “That was big to help us get some momentum going into the rest of the year.”
Hollenbach is focused on Florida State next week because he feels at this point in the year the team can?t afford to look ahead in the season.
“Things are all over the place in the ACC,” Hollenbach said. “Anyone can beat anyone else at any time, so we just have to be ready to play.”
Coming home
» Attendance for the Maryland homecoming victory over the Wolfpack was a season-high 50,230 fans.
» For the first time in nearly two years the Terps defense kept an opponent scoreless through the first half.
» Keon Lattimore had 100-plus total yards again this week, but 72 of his 107 yards came through the air.
» Sam Hollenbach was the second-leading overall rusher for the Terps with 62 yards on seven carries. Lance Ball led the team with 77 yards and a touchdown. Hollenbach was also 7-of-9 passing (115 yards) with a four-yard touchdown pass to Josh Allen.
