NC State Wolfpack is bowl eligible with win over Maryland Terrapins, 20 -14

Posted Sunday, November 27, 2005

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Raleigh, NC - NC State cornerback Marcus Hudson leaped for an interception, with 34 seconds remaining, to clinch a 20-14 victory against Maryland at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday.

The Maryland Terrapins took a 7-3 lead with 2:35 left in the first half, after Lance Ball went over the top from 1 yard out to complete an 11-play, 39-yard drive. On the Terps' next possession, Ennis was wide left from 45 yards out again with 1:08 left in the half.

The Wolfpack took the lead on its second possession of the second half, as Toney Baker went in from a yard out to complete a 10-play, 51-yard advance with 4:37 left in the third period.

Hudson got his hands on three of Maryland's four turnovers, with a fumble recovery and two interceptions. With 9:50 remaining in the game, Hudson ripped the ball away from Maryland receiver Danny Melendez, then raced 28 yards with the interception, putting State ahead 17-7.

N.C. State's John Deraney hit both of his field-goal attempts, while Maryland's Dan Ennis was 1-for-3.

Maryland didn't give up, going 75 yards in 11 plays, with Hollenbach throwing to Vernon Davis from 15 yards out for a touchdown to pull to 20-14 with 4:21 to go.

NC State's defensive star was junior defensive end Mario Williams. After managing just one sack through State's first five games, Williams' four sacks on Saturday gave him a school-record 13 for the season and 12 in his last six games.

Marcus Stone completed 12 of 19 passes for 113 yards with one interception for the Wolfpack. Stone was 1-for-5 in the first half, in which State had only one first down.

Maryland's QB Hollenbach was 20-for-35 for 235 yards and one touchdown, along with his three turnovers. Hollenbach finished the season with 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He completed 61 percent of his passes.

The Terps committed a season-high 14 penalties for 93 yards.

The Wolfpack (6-5, 3-5 ACC) bounced back from a 2-4 start anchored by a loss to Wake Forest to qualify for a bowl.

For N.C. State, this was the first win against an ACC opponent in Carter-Finley Stadium since an overtime win over Wake Forest last season. The Wolfpack had lost six ACC home games in a row

The most likely bowl destinations for N.C. State appear to be the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 31 in Charlotte and the MPC Computers Bowl Dec. 28 in Boise, Idaho.

The team finished the regular season by beating Maryland yesterday, their fourth victory in the final five games.

Twenty Wolfpack seniors played their final home game Saturday.