Maryland Knocks Off Former Number Two Boston College

[GSPODS]

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- As Maryland fans rushed onto the field to celebrate an unlikely victory, the stunned Boston College players trudged toward the locker room in silence, their heads bowed.

Judging by their performance against the crippled Terrapins, 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.

"Maryland played a good football game and we did not," Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski said, his words devoid of emotion.

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.

"Being we were No. 2 in the nation to losing two straight, it obviously goes from an extreme high to an extreme low," linebacker Mark Herzlich said. "Next week we need to come out and show we should be on top of the ACC."

Its 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.

"We're still there," Jagodzinski said. "It's disappointing any time you don't win, but we still have everything in front of us."

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.

"I've never been around a bunch of kids like this, to hang in there with so many people out," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I am indebted to these kids. They deserve this win."

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 secure its second win this season over a top-10 team. Maryland beat then-No. 10 Rutgers on Sept. 29.

"We have two games to go and we're right back in the bowl picture," Friedgen said. "It would have looked a lot worse if we didn't win tonight."

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.

"It's Senior Day for them. They had a lot of pride to play for," Boston College receiver Brandon Robinson said. "They just outplayed us."

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.

However, on the Eagles' next possession, 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.

[REDEEMEDSKIN]

'Twas a great game. I was there. it was the first college football game I ever attended, and I certainly would go back again.

[KazooSkinsFan]

'Twas a great game. I was there. it was the first college football game I ever attended, and I certainly would go back again.

Hopefully the Terps will do the same to NC State in a couple weeks, I have tickets for that game. I was at the UNC game a couple weeks ago, that one didn't go so well. My 11 year old cheerleader daughter was the loudest though yelling "Fear the Turtle!"

[gay4pacman]

great win! Can they give the ball to Joey Haynos in the red zone???He is a great pass catching TE

[BeeGee]

Strange year for the Turtle. .500 ball club, but they've now knocked off two top 10 teams. I wonder if there's another .500 (or below) ballclub that has achieved that this season.