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Terps crush ECU in Friedgen's finale

Dec 30, 2010 - 1:24 AM Washington, D.C. (Sports Network) - Da'Rel Scott rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries and D.J. Adams scored four times to help Ralph Friedgen end his Maryland tenure on a winning note, as the Terrapins shut down East Carolina, 51-20, to capture the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium.

Danny O'Brien threw for 181 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Terrapins (9-4), which became the first team in ACC history to go from two or fewer victories one season to nine or more the next.

Despite the turnaround and unprecedented success during his 10-year reign, Friedgen had the final year of his contract bought out earlier this month.

"I have three daughters and 120 sons. I am going to miss these kids," an emotional Friedgen said. "If you have to go out this is the best way to do it. I am happy to watch this team and I wish them the very best. I am with them in spirit every step of the way."

Dominique Davis was intercepted twice and while throwing for a pedestrian 268 yards on 35-of-57 efficiency for the Pirates (6-7), who gave up at least 42 points in their final six games of the season, five resulting in losses.

ECU was out-gained, 297-32, on the ground.

The game started out well for the Conference USA program, as Emanuel Davis came down with an interception on the first play from scrimmage.

Things quickly deteriorated when Giavanni Ruffin was stuffed on 4th-and-1 from midfield. Three plays later, O'Brien hit Kevin Dorsey in stride along the right sideline en route to a 45-yard score.

The Pirates blocked the extra point, but they turned it over their next two touches. Maryland's Travis Baltz, after missing a 25-yard field goal following the second turnover, made a 23-yard chip shot 5:14 into the second stanza.

A roughing the passer penalty on fourth down extended ECU's ensuing drive, leading to Michael Barbour's 37-yard field goal.

Maryland answered immediately, as Davin Meggett's 44-yard jaunt set up a one- yard plunge from Adams for a 16-3 lead heading into the break.

On the third play of the second half, David Mackall intercepted Davis and returned the pick 34 yards to the ECU one-yard line. Adams took it in from there for a 23-3 lead.

Lance Lewis' acrobatic 20-yard touchdown grab cut into the deficit with 9:51 remaining in the third, only to have Maryland embark on a 11-play, 69-yard drive that Adams finished with another one-yard dive.

After Barbour made a 31-yarder late in the third quarter, Scott took a delayed draw and went untouched for a 61-yard score and a healthy 37-13 lead.

Maryland had a 1st-and-goal situation from the two-yard line early in the fourth and failed to score. The play immediately following the goal-line stand saw Scott take another one up the middle and into daylight for a 91-yard TD.

Adams' culminated his four-TD performance with a four-yard run with under five minutes left, and ECU's Justin Jones capped the scoring with a 14-yard reception from Brad Wornick.

"Coming into the season we lost 30-plus kids," justified ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill. "The offense made lots of progress this year. We'll bounce back...We'll be OK."

Game Notes

This was the first-ever meeting between the schools...Maryland defensive lineman Drew Gloster, offensive lineman Pete White and wide receivers Quintin McCree and Ronnie Tyler did not play due to academic reasons...Friedgen finished with a 5-2 record in bowl games. Prior to his arrival, Maryland made just one postseason appearance in the previous 15 years...Meggett totaled 114 yards from scrimmage...O'Brien completed 13-of-22 passes...Lewis ended with 11 catches for 137 yards...The Terps evened-up their all-time bowl record at 11-11-2, while East Carolina fell to 8-9 in the postseason.