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Rice, Rutgers ready for Maryland

Sep 29, 2007 - 10:46 AM Maryland (2-2) at No. 10 Rutgers (3-0) 3:30 pm EDT

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Not that Ray Rice and Rutgers needed it, but they had an extra week to prepare for Maryland.

Coming off a bye, Rice and the 10th-ranked Scarlet Knights host the Terrapins in a non-conference matchup on Saturday.

Rutgers has not played since trouncing Norfolk State of the Football Championship Subdivision, 59-0, on September 15.

A Heisman Trophy candidate, Rice had three of the Scarlet Knights' five rushing touchdowns and Mike Teel threw for three TDs in the romp.

Despite gaining just 72 yards because of limited action, Rice ranks fifth nationally in rushing average (143.67).

Maryland opened its season with consecutive wins over FCS squad Villanova and lowly Florida International, but the Terps since have lost to powerhouse West Virginia and defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Wake Forest.

Last Saturday, Maryland came up short at Wake Forest in overtime, 31-24, after squandering a 21-point third-quarter lead.

Keon Lattimore rushed for 112 yards and a TD for the Terps, who held a 24-3 advantage and were on the verge of another score when Alphonso Smith returned a pass by Jordan Steffy 100 yards for a touchdown, sparking the Demon Deacons' comeback.

The teams have not met since Maryland posted a 27-13 win in 1942. The Terps lead the series, 5-3.