Maryland Terrapins Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

Clemson Tigers Related Links: Team Page City Page Schedule Stats

CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) -- "Death Valley" seemed like heaven to Scott McBrien and Maryland.

McBrien threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the 19th-ranked Terrapins routed Atlantic Coast Conference rival Clemson, 30-12, for their first victory at Memorial Stadium since 1985.

The Terrapins (9-2, 5-1 ACC) limited the Tigers (6-5, 4-4) to just four field goals by Aaron Hunt en route to their eighth straight win since beginning the season 1-2.

"We held Clemson to field goals instead of touchdowns," Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen said. "I think if they scored touchdowns, it was probably anybody's game."

"Aaron was no doubt a positive in the game for us, four field goals," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. "But you really can't go into a game and get field goals like that. You've got to be a lot more productive and get touchdowns."

Friedgen tied former Clemson coach Ken Hatfield's ACC record for wins over his first two seasons (19).

Maryland is in second place in the conference but can gain a share of the title if it wins at Virginia and at home against Wake Forest and first-place Florida State loses at North Carolina State. The Terrapins have not lost since a 37-10 home setback to the Seminoles on September 14.

The Terps would get the conference's BCS bid only if they finish five spots ahead of the Seminoles in the final BCS standings on December 8.

"Anytime we win I'm happy," Friedgen said. "It was our ninth win and it keeps us in the conference race. We've got to hope and pray that N.C. State can find a way to beat Florida State. Next week will be a big determination as to whether or not we play a January 1 bowl or some other bowl."

Chris Downs ran for 101 yards as the Terrapins outgained the Tigers on the ground, 285-81. Downs needs just five yards to reach 1,000 on the season.

Maryland never trailed but led by just 16-9 until McBrien connected on a four-yard pass to tight end Jeff Dugan with 5:13 to go in the third quarter. Hunt got Clemson within 23-12 with a 42-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the period but McBrien capped the scoring with a three-yard run with 8:23 to play.

The Terrapins held the ball for just under 39 minutes and limited the Tigers to just 10 first downs.

Freshman Charlie Whitehurst, who had led the Tigers to two wins in as many starts, completed 12-of-26 passes for 130 yards and one interception.

"(Maryland) had a lot of defense out there," Bowden said. "We didn't perform well on offense. ... Charlie started out shaky and then started to come on, but we didn't get much support."

McBrien was 13-of-23 for 153 yards and three interceptions. He also ran for 67 yards on nine carries.

"I think the thing that's growing is our confidence," Friedgen said. "There's an inner strength right now in the huddles. A guy makes a mistake and the guys just stay relaxed and we work our way through it."

Clemson defensive tackle Todd McClinton was taken off the field on a stretcher with 8:44 remaining after an awkward collision on a Maryland draw play near the goal line.

"He had a little bit of a stinger, which made him have some numbness in his arm," Bowden said. "He was moving his legs, but I think they braced his neck and took him in for X-rays just as a precautionary measure."