After a strong first quarter, Maryland fell apart on both offense and defense in the second, and now trail the visiting North Carolina State Wolfpack 10-3.
Maryland started the quarter out with a bang, completing two passes in a row for Diggs. The first went for 25, putting the Terps in Wolfpack territory, and the freshman reversed the field on the second, gaining seven yards. After a one-yard run from Albert Reid and an incomplete pass to Kevin Dorsey, the Terps were forced to punt.
NC State then put together their first real drive of the game, and were rewarded for their efforts. Mike Glennon completed a 12-yard pass to Asa Watson, and Shadrach Thornton ran for seven yards. Glennon completed a pass to Quintin Payton, and after Marcus Whitfield gave a remarkably poor tackling effort, Payton ran for 34 yards to the Maryland 27. After a Thornton two-yard run, Glennon found full back Logan Winkles wide open at about the five-yard line. Winkles bowled over Eric Franklin with ease, strolling into the endzone for the touchdown. Niklas Sade hit the extra point, giving the Wolfpack a 7-3 lead.
After a Maryland three-and-out, Glennon and NC State went to work again. After a Darin Drakeford sack set up third-and-16, Glennon completed a 28-yard pass to Bryan Underwood. Three plays later, a five-yard pass to Payton resulted in another first down. Three plays after that, a two-yard run from Thornton gave them their third third-down conversion of the drive. On third-and-goal, however, they were unable to convert, settling for a 21-yard Sade field goal and a 10-3 lead.
After forcing their first three-and-out of the quarter, Maryland put together a short drive before it went awry. Hills completed a 14-yard pass to Dorsey, and then allowed Diggs to perform his magic on a 17-yard completion.
On the next play, Hills was intercepted by David Amerson, who would have returned it for a touchdown, if not for a block in the back. Hills was blown up on the play, and the quarterback appeared to have hurt his knee badly. He was carted off the field, and Devin Burns helmed the Terps' last drive.
After outgaining the Wolfpack 106-18 in the first quarter, Maryland was outgained 138-94 in the second. Glennon has recovered from a 2/7 for one yard first quarter with 7/13 for 119 yards in the second. Meanwhile, for Maryland, Wes Brown has emerged, with five rushes for 24 yards.
We'll keep you updated on the status of Hills as the game progresses, but the prognosis does not look good for his return today.