Associated Press
COLLEGE PARK, Md. ó Maryland has won five consecutive home games, is coming off a solid victory over Wake Forest and is facing the only winless team in ACC play.
It’s the perfect homecoming scenario for the Terrapins, who can remain atop the league’s Atlantic Division by beating North Carolina State.
“This is a very important game for us. A win makes us bowl eligible,” coach Ralph Friedgen said. “If we want to keep pace in the ACC, we have to win this game.”
Problem is, this is the type of matchup that usually proves troublesome for the schizophrenic Terps. Maryland (5-2, 2-1) beat California, Clemson and Wake Forest ó which were all ranked at the time ó but lost to Middle Tennessee State 24-14 and Virginia 31-0.
North Carolina State (2-5, 0-3) is the kind of obstacle the Terrapins have had difficulty hurdling.
“After the UVA game we had a lot of team meetings, senior meetings, and I think the team has really gotten the point now,” wide receiver Danny Oquendo said.
“A lot of guys are definitely buying into what we need to do,” Terp center Edwin Williams said.
Although the Wolfpack have dropped three straight, they were tied with Boston College in the final minute and last week put up a valiant effort in a 26-17 loss to Florida State. They also beat East Carolina.
“If it wasn’t for a few plays, they would be undefeated in the ACC. Most of their games have come down to the final five minutes of the fourth quarter,” Williams said. “They’re a very good team with very good players on defense.”