North Carolina State vs. Maryland Recap: Late Craddock Miss Gifts Wolfpack 20-18 Win

COLLEGE PARK, MD - - Second half heroics from backup quarterback Devin Burns and running back Wes Brown proved to be not enough for the Maryland Terrapins Saturday afternoon, as a Brad Craddock field goal attempt from 33 yards out bounced off the upright with three seconds left. The visiting North Carolina State Wolfpack won the game, 20-18.

Maryland absolutely dominated the first quarter, outgaining the Wolfpack 106-18, but only managed to get a field goal. The Terps' pass defense was notably excellent, holding Mike Glennon to 2/7 for one yard.

NC State scored the first touchdown of the game in the second quarter, when a 34-yard Mike Glennon pass to Quintin Payton set up a 25-yard scoring strike to fullback Logan Winkles. Winkles had no defenders in sight when he caught the ball, and he easily bowled over Eric Franklin at the goal-line for the score.

Later in the quarter, everything went wrong for the Terps. Perry Hills was intercepted by David Amerson, whose return to the end zone was called back for a block in the back. On the play, Hills was demolished by linebacker Rickey Dowdy, and had to be carted off the field with an apparent knee injury.

After a Dave Stinebaugh punt block gave Maryland the ball in N.C State territory at the beginning of the third, Devin Burns went to work. The converted wide receiver ran for 15 yards, and then six yards, and then completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Leak. After a Wolfpack pass interference penalty gave the Terps a first-and-goal opportunity, Wes Brown was able to score two plays later. Craddock missed the extra point, and Maryland still trailed 10-9.

NC State struck back quickly, with the help of Bryan Underwood. The receiver burned Eric Franklin badly, crossing him up with the cornerback and running to the end zone for a 68-yard score. The one-play drive took all of nine second, and the Wolfpack expanded their lead to 17-9. Underwood continued his touchdown streak, as he has scored in all seven games this season.

Burns and the Terps did their job on the following drive. After two plays that went for negative yardage, the quarterback ran for 23 yards and a first down. On a third-and-ten later in the drive, Wes Brown ran for 15 yards, and Burns completed a 38-yard pass to Leak on the next play, bringing the Terps to the 2. Maryland executed a perfect play-action roll out, and Burns strolled into the end zone for his first career touchdown. The Terps failed at the two-point conversion, keeping the score at 17-15.

After forcing an NC State three-and-out, Burns and Brown went back to work. Burns ran for three yards, and Brown put together four runs in a row that totaled 36 yards. The eventual payoff was a 48-yard field goal from Craddock, giving Maryland an 18-17 lead.

The Wolfpack's next drive started out quickly, with nine plays for 49 yards, but Joe Vellano and Darin Drakeford combined for a huge third down sack on Glennon.

After Brown fumbled the ball with three-and-a-half minutes left, N.C. State had another chance to grab the win. The Terrapin defense held strong, with passes broken up by Jeremiah Johnson and Eric Franklin before a fourth-down incompletion turned the ball over on downs.

The Terps were unable to run the clock out on their next drive, giving the Wolfpack yet another "last chance". After a first down to Bryan Underwood, Kenneth Tate came up with a huge pass breakup on second down, but Glennon was able to complete a first down pass to Asa Watson for a first down two plays later, and followed up with a controversial 14-yard catch to Rashard Smith, that resulted in voiced displeasure from the Terrapin crowd after the officials ruled that Smith had caught the ball inbounds.

After two rushes from Tony Creecy and an incomplete pass from Glennon, Sade hit the 43-yard field goal to give the Wolfpack the lead.

Caleb Rowe came in for Burns at quarterback, and had a nearly perfect three plays. Rowe completed a 17-yard pass to Kevin Dorsey, ran for an 11-yard gain, and then completed a 33-yard pass to Nigel King down the right sideline for what looked like the set-up to the game winning score. Craddock missed the field goal, however, and the Terps were left with the loss.