CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Chris Turner threw for a touchdown and Da'Rel Scott rushed for one to rally Maryland to its second straight Death Valley victory with a 20-17 win over Clemson on Saturday.
Maryland (4-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) came in as a big underdog, just like in 2006 here, against the preseason favorites for the conference title. And just like two years ago, the Terps overcame a second-half deficit for the win.
Maryland trailed 17-6 in the third quarter when Darrius Heyward-Bey went 76 yards on a reverse — the longest run Clemson allowed in eight years — to give the Terps a 1st-and-goal.
Two plays later, Turner found a wide-open Torrey Smith to make it 17-13.
Still down in the final quarter, Turner got the Terps going again. He hit Danny Oquendo with passes of 11, 11 and 21 yards to get Maryland to the Clemson 1.
Scott, the ACC's leading rusher entering the game, ran in for the go-ahead score
Clemson had one last chance, driving into Maryland territory. But Cullen Harper was stopped short on fourth-and-1 with 5:36 remaining.
Maryland didn't give the ball back, finishing off its fourth straight victory over a ranked team. It was also the Terps' third win in their past four visits to Death Valley.
The Terps were outgained by Clemson 295 to 372, with Scott finishing with 39 yards. Still, it didn't matter to the outcome, the same as in 2006.
Then, Dan Ennis kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired in a 13-12 Maryland victory that ultimately knocked Clemson out of the ACC title game.
This loss could be just as devastating for the Tigers, the runaway choice this summer to win their first ACC crown since 1991.
Clemson looked like it would take this one with ease. Star runners James Davis and C.J. Spiller combined for 193 yards and two touchdowns by halftime to build the Tigers a 17-6 lead.
Clemson's offense also looked strong, limiting Scott to just 19 yards in the opening period.
Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who regularly vexed the Tigers during his two stints as Georgia Tech's offensive coordinator, again found Clemson's cracks.
No Tiger defender got anywhere near Heyward-Bey on his long run until he closed in on the goal line.
Maryland's defense, pours early on, didn't give up a point in the second half, forcing four punts and the crunching fourth-down stop on Harper.
Davis and Spiller, the vaunted "Thunder and Lightning," got just 31 yards between them the final two quarters.
Clemson came into this one with three straight victories, outscoring opponents 126-26 since its season-opening loss to Alabama. But two of those wins came against Football Championship Subdivision foes, and the other against struggling North Carolina State.
The Terps might've been down even more if not for Clemson's first-half errors.
Jacoby Ford fumbled a punt on one series, while Harper's backward pass to Aaron Kelly was knocked down and recovered by the Terps' Adrian Moten.
Spiller had a 59-yard TD run in the third quarter called back on Kelly's hold.
Harper also threw his fifth interception of the season, one shy of the six he had all last year.
Maryland settled for two Obi Egekeze field goals of 23 and 30 yards.
Comments
The Turtle Comes Out of it's Shell !!!
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 09:32 — TERPSRULEBeware, ACC....Maryland is on the warpath. I am aware that NC (No Count) and Duke are much improved this year...had to be...can't sink any lower...but don't get your hopes up!!! I will be at both games against Maryland and expect to be able to leave early with a smirk on my face. Fridge finally has the Terps playing near their potential (they will get better, yet). As far as State and Wake.....State is atrocious....(41-10???) and Wake is not for real (NAVY???) as proven this past week(overrated!!!!). While the rest of the ACC beats up on each other...Maryland will extend it's lead. Man!!! It is really fun living in NC and seeing the Sunday faces after the Terps leave town with a win. Next: Virginia....If you are a Va. fan...save your money..ain't worth it (31-3???). Perhaps you can schedule a game next year with the Detroit Lions. FEAR THE TURTLE.
Terps Rule!!
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 11:55 — TERPSRULEI live in NC and I am going to have a LOT of fun this year. I remember when the Tewon the National Championship in basketball....now I am going to have fun with all nc fans
glad to see UNCAlumnus come
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 23:28 — gvillegatrglad to see UNCAlumnus come out of his shell and get off the fence for a change!! Mary-Land fans are the most obnoxious of them all! to think, you thought, you were DUIkes rival for a blissful moment!!! LMFAO!!!!!!
If T. Bowden needs help...
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 19:28 — UNCAlumnusI'm good with resumes (if you ignore spelling).
unc sucks
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 19:44 — Anonymous (not verified) (author)Not enough going on in your boards, you gotta come over here and talk smack. I'd bet that you didn't graduate from unc. Probably never even stepped foot on the campus you nitwit. FEAR THE TURTLE
Actually class of 1998 BS in Pharmacy
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 21:51 — UNCAlumnusThe next time you get a prescription filled, it just might be me. Pray I don't poison you, fearless anonymous person. Go Heels!! 11-15-08 is your turn, Mary-land
I'm Scared. Not really
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 22:12 — Anonymous (not verified) (author)I knew how tough a BS was, that is until I received my Masters and then my PhD. But I know how difficult a pharmacy can be. I worked as a drug tech getting through school and I saw how hard the pharmacist worked all day counting pills. How hard the automated dispensing machines must be to work that you need to go to school to learn how to work them. And on top of that, the computer tells you which stickers to place on the bottle. WOW, must have been a tough exit exam. What was your dissertation on? Oh, thats right, you did not have to do one.
GO TERPS
Enough of this childish stuff
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 22:31 — UNCAlumnusI'm sure you're proud of yourself for your accomplishments. As a matter of fact I do rely on a very nice computer program. I also rely on my very own knowledge. I would never hurt a person with medicine. Congratulations to Maryland for a nice win. I try not to insult with these posts. If you took offense, oh well. I'll not make the trip to Maryland for the game this year. I'm only making home and local away games. I'm just hoping the Terps play like they did against Middle Tennessee St. Otherwise, the Heels have no chance. In any event, I was merely speaking to your accusation that I did not attend UNC, and have never been to the campus.
Okay guys
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 22:29 — Anonymous (not verified) (author)Let's take this down a notch. No need to threaten to poison someone or to make personal attacks on each other. Let's just talk about the teams and not each other. Mr Anonymous I doubt you received you PhD and if you did, you do not act like it. UNCAlumus, a threat. Makes me want to get my RX filled knowing there are nutbags willing to poison someone. Neither one of you behave as if you graduated from a school of higher learning.
Bowden
Sat, 09/27/2008 - 17:33 — Anonymous (not verified) (author)Is this the beginning of the end for Tommy Boy?