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Maryland's Fast Start Leads To Stunning Upset Of No. 23 Cal

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - For three quarters, California appeared to be sleepwalking against Maryland.

That's what happens when you have a noon kickoff, which translates to an ungodly 9 a.m. on the West Coast.

Maryland (2-1) scored touchdowns on its first three possessions Saturday en route to a 35-27 upset of No. 23 California. The Golden Bears (2-1) didn't reach the end zone until the closing minutes, and by then it was too late.

"We weren't ready to start the game," said Cal quarterback Kevin Riley, who made up for his team's surprisingly ineffective running attack by going 33 of 58 for 423 yards and three scores. The 58 passes were a school record.

Coming off a 10-point loss to unheralded Middle Tennessee State, the Terrapins were given little chance against a California juggernaut that totaled 104 points in disposing of Michigan State and Pac-10 foe Washington State.

But, unlike the Golden Bears, Maryland was ready at the outset. The Terrapins put California in an immediate hole, and the deficit proved too much to overcome.

"That was important," Maryland quarterback Chris Turner said. "They were on the road, it was an early game, they were adjusting to the time and all that. To be able to get off to an early lead was pretty good."

CLEMSON 27,

NORTH CAROLINA ST. 9

CLEMSON, S.C. - Cullen Harper overcame several mistakes and threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns in leading Clemson to victory.

Harper, who threw an interception for a touchdown on the opening play, fumbled in the second half and missed a few open receivers, ended up completing 20 of 28 passes. Jacoby Ford caught six passes for 106 yards for the Tigers (2-1) in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.

The Wolfpack (1-2) leave the state of South Carolina without scoring an offensive touchdown after being shut out 34-0 to open the season at South Carolina. They now haven't scored a TD on offense against a BCS conference team in 13 consecutive quarters going back to last year.

VIRGINIA TECH 20,

GEORGIA TECH 17

BLACKSBURG, Va. - Virginia Tech's youth movement is looking better, and Tyrod Taylor, Darren Evans and an opportunistic defense gave Hokies fans reason for optimism.

Taylor and Evans each ran for a touchdown, the Hokies put together a late scoring drive, the defense forced three turnovers and then held on in a harrowing finish as Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech in a critical early-season matchup.

The Hokies (2-1, 1-0) drove 76 yards for the winning 21-yard field goal by Dustin Keys after the Yellow Jackets tied it at 17 with 9:28 to play. The drive was helped by two 15-yard personal-foul penalties against Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets (2-1, 1-1) had a chance to go ahead, but Josh Nesbitt overthrew Roddy Jones behind the Hokies' defense on a third-and-7, then was sacked by Purnell Sturdivant on fourth down with 2:15 to play, one of the few times Nesbitt didn't get away.

DUKE 41, NAVY 31

DURHAM, N.C. - Thad Lewis threw three touchdown passes to Eron Riley to help Duke beat Navy.

Lewis threw for 317 yards and ran for 41, while Riley finished with eight catches for 137 yards for the Blue Devils (2-1).

Duke also got a 37-yard fumble return for a touchdown from Vincent Rey and a short scoring run from fullback Tielor Robinson.

Shun White and Tyree Barnes had long touchdowns for the Midshipmen (1-2), who led 24-20 at halftime before the Blue Devils went ahead for good on Riley's 5-yard scoring catch in the third quarter.

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