Prior to the game today, Terps Head Coach talked about the team needing to capitalize more on defense and make other team make mistakes, that is exactly why they did today when N.C State visited Byrd Stadium as they held on late to a 26-20 victory in front of a roaring homecoming crowd.
N.C. State (3-4, 2-2) used a long drive and a 65-yard punt return by Darrell Blackman to close to 23-13 with 8:18 in the fourth quarter, but the comeback bid was blunted when Daniel Evans threw his second interception of the game.
After Terps kicker Dan Ennis nailed his fourth field goal for Maryland, the Wolfpack used a 1-yard touchdown run by Toney Baker to get within six points with 58 seconds left. But the Terrapins recovered the onside kick to secure the victory.
The Terps could have made this game even uglier in the first half, but they failed to capitalize in the red-zone and had to settle for the three field goals by Ennis.
Lance Ball led the rushing for the Terps with 77 yards and touchdown and back-up Keon Lattimore had 72 yards and added 33 yards rushing in a first half dominated by the Terrapins.
“We had a nice balance of both offense and defense today. These guys never quit on either end of the ball,” said Terps Head Coach Ralph Friedgen. “It was a great feeling to get our second straight ACC victory in a row this week.”
The final verdict of the day came from the Terps defense, which on the stat sheet shows the first half as a huge part of why N.C. State had just 25 yards passing in the first half and advanced into Maryland territory only once in five possessions.
Sam Hollenbach anchored the afternoon completing on 7 of 9 pass attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown.
With two ACC victories, the Terps face their biggest challenge over the next four weeks starting with Florida State on Saturday at College Park.
