University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Terps Top Tar Heels, 17-15
November 15, 2008 | Football
Nov. 15, 2008
COLLEGE PARK, Maryland (Ticker) - If Maryland reaches the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game for the first time, it will be remembered as "The Drive." Obi Egekeze's 26-yard field goal with 1:42 remaining capped a 19-play possession as the Terrapins rallied for a 17-15 victory over No. 17 North Carolina on Saturday.
During the march, which consumed 8:43, Maryland (7-3, 4-2 ACC Coastal) converted three third downs and one fourth down when quarterback Chris Turner scrambled for nine yards on 4th-and-5 from the North Carolina 32.
Defensive back Jamari McCollough sealed the victory with an interception on North Carolina's ensuing possession.
The win kept Maryland in control of its own destiny in the Atlantic Division race, as the Terrapins will qualify for the ACC championship game by winning their final two contests.
The Terrapins pulled into a first-place tie with Florida State, which entertains Boston College on Saturday night. Maryland hosts the Seminoles next week.
Turner had an unimpressive game Saturday - until the final drive, when he completed a pair of third-down passes to keep alive the Terrapins' hopes.
Overall, Turner completed only 16-of-31 passes for 141 yards with no touchdowns, but he hit Danny Oquendo for six yards on 3rd-and-1 from the Maryland 39. Three plays later, he found Ronnie Tyler for 18 yards on 3rd-and-10.
Until Egekeze's late field goal, both offenses sputtered in a scoreless second half after the opening half featured four leads changes.
North Carolina (7-3, 3-3 ACC Coastal) grabbed a 15-14 halftime edge on Casey Barth's 28-yard field goal with 4:12 left in the second quarter, but the Tar Heels missed a chance to extend their lead when Barth missed a 28-yarder late in the third quarter.
North Carolina twice had to settle for field goals in the first half after driving inside Maryland's 20-yard line.
The Tar Heels had another chance to increase their lead when Maryland's Josh Portis fumbled at the Terrapins' 33-yard line on the first play of the final period.
However, North Carolina went three-and-out after three incompletions by Cameron Sexton, who completed only 10-of-24 passes for 166 yards with a touchdown. The Tar Heels punted despite the favorable field position.
Da'Rel Scott rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown for the Terrapins, including an 11-yard run that gave Maryland a 1st-and-goal at the 6 to set up Egekeze's game-winning kick.
North Carolina's loss left the Coastal Division race further jumbled as five teams are within one game of the lead. Miami (4-2) now has sole possession of first place.
