• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Maryland responds, slows down California

Sep 13, 2008 - 11:34 PM COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Ticker) -- After a dismal effort last week, Chris Turner and Maryland clearly had something to prove.

Turner passed for two touchdowns and Da'Rel Scott rushed for a pair of scores Saturday, leading the Terrapins to a 35-27 upset of 25th-ranked California in the first meeting between the schools.

In last week's 24-14 loss to Middle Tennessee, Turner threw three interceptions. The junior was on target Saturday, completing 15-of-19 passes for 156 yards, including a 1-yard TD toss to Dan Gronkowski in the second quarter and a 27-yard scoring strike to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the third.

"I think this game proves we can play with anyone," Turner said. "We can put a lot of points on the board and probably should have scored a few more touchdowns."

"Chris managed the offense extremely well today," Maryland tackle Jamie Thomas added. "We moved the ball up and down the field well with good passing and running."

Scott scored on touchdown runs of 24 and 1 yards in the first quarter to stake the Terrapins (2-1) to an early 14-0 lead. He rushed for 87 yards on 19 carries before leaving in the third quarter with a shoulder injury.

"I kind of challenged them last night at our meeting," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "They came out ready to play, and they played with their hearts. That's what I asked them to do."

California (2-1) headed east after scoring 102 points in its first two games, including a 66-3 drubbing at Washington State last week, when the Golden Bears set a school record for points in a Pac-10 Conference game.

Through three quarters Saturday, California played as though it was still on West Coast time, managing only a pair of field goals. The summer-like conditions on the East Coast also bothered the Golden Bears, according to at least one player.

"It was tough," California tight end Tad Smith said. "The offense wasn't firing in the first three quarters and we were playing a little sluggish. To tell you the truth, the humidity was tough. I was over-heated in the game."

However, Maryland seemed to let up after building a 28-6 lead, and Kevin Riley threw a scare into the Terrapins with three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

With still almost seven minutes remaining, California coach Jeff Tedford elected to attempt an onside kick. The move backfired, as Maryland recovered and Davin Megget's 38-yard run set up his 1-yard TD plunge that made it 35-13.

Still, Riley made it close with TD passes to Smith and Verran Tucker in the final five minutes. The sophomore attempted 58 passes, completing 33, for 428 yards after a slow start.

After rushing for 391 yards last week, the Golden Bears were held to 38 Saturday. Cal was forced to mostly abandon its running game after falling behind, 21-3, on the first play of the second period.

"We looked at (Maryland's tape) and knew they had a lot of ability," Tedford said. "I don't think the first two weeks they played to their potential."