College Sports News - ACC

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) -- Maryland has won five consecutive home games, is coming off a solid victory over Wake Forest and is facing the only winless team in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

It's the perfect homecoming scenario for the Terrapins, who can remain atop the league's Atlantic Division by beating North Carolina State.

"This is a very important game for us. A win makes us bowl eligible," coach Ralph Friedgen said. "If we want to keep pace in the ACC, we have to win this game."

Problem is, this is the type of matchup that usually proves troublesome for the schizophrenic Terps. Maryland (5-2, 2-1) beat California, Clemson and Wake Forest -- which were all ranked at the

time -- but lost to Middle Tennessee State 24-14 and Virginia 31-0.

North Carolina State (2-5, 0-3) is the kind of obstacle the Terrapins have had difficulty hurdling. To a man, however, the players insist they'll be ready this time.

"After the UVA game we had a lot of team meetings, senior meetings, and I think the team has really gotten the point now," wide receiver Danny Oquendo said.

"A lot of guys are definitely buying into what we need to do," Terrapins center Edwin Williams said. "You can say we've learned our lesson, but we have to show it on the field."

Although the Wolfpack have dropped three straight, they were tied with Boston College in the final minute and last week put up a valiant effort in a 26-17 loss to Florida State. They also beat

East Carolina last month when the Pirates were ranked 15th.

"If it wasn't for a few plays, they would be undefeated in the ACC. Most of their games have come down to the final five minutes of the fourth quarter," Williams said. "They're a very good team

with very good players on defense. We really have to bring our A game; we probably have to play better than we did last week to beat them."

Which Maryland team will show up? As bad as the Terrapins looked against Virginia, they were that impressive in disposing of Wake Forest 26-0.

"I watched the game Saturday, I was like 'Wow, that's a great looking team right there.' I mean, putting up (26) against Wake Forest, shutting them out," Wolfpack defensive tackle Keith Willis

said. "The week earlier, getting shut out by Virginia. So it's kind of up-and-down, and it's going to take a lot of watching film to actually see what their team is all about."

Offensively, the Terrapins prefer to run the ball. But against Wake Forest, Chris Turner threw 41 passes. So, what can NC State expect Saturday?

Probably a little bit of everything.

"The offensive line, on tape it looks as good as any we've played. The quarterback (is) No. 1 in the conference in pass efficiency because nobody touches him," Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien

said. "He stands back there and he's got three receivers, a great receiver in (Darrius) Heyward-Bey and he's got two really, really good receivers (Oquendo and tight end Dan Gronkowski)."

The Terrapins also have running back Da'Rel Scott, who's averaging 92.5 yards per game and a robust 5.1 yards per carry. Scott ran for 89 yards last year at NC State in a 37-0 victory, and

the Wolfpack are looking for a payback.

"I was actually in the stands watching it, and I sat up there sick to my stomach," Willis said. "I hate being shut out. I hate having that happen. So I know it's on every player's mind not to have that happen again and get revenge for it on Saturday."