MARYLAND TERRAPINS NOTES:
THE OPENING KICK
BOWL HISTORY
▶ The Duke’s Mayo Bowl will be Maryland’s 29th bowl appearance all-time, with the Terps looking for their first back-to-back bowl wins since 2002-03. The Duke’s Mayo Bowl is the 20th different bowl the Terps have played in and it will mark the third-straight bowl game against an ACC team (2016, Boston College & 2021, Virginia Tech). Last season, the Terps defeated Virginia Tech 54-10 in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in New York City behind game MVP Taulia Tagovailioa who piled up 307 yards of total offense – as Maryland totaled 481 yards on offense. He was 20-of-24 for 265 passing yards with two touchdowns, including 14-15 for 192 yards and a touchdown in the first half. He also ran four times for 42 yards.
▶ Maryland has averaged 31.8 points in bowl games this century, best in the Big Ten and seventh best among FBS teams to appear in at least 10 bowls since 2000 (Note via Press Box Live).
MARYLAND VS. NC STATE
▶ These schools have met 70 times all-time, dating back to their first in 1909. That’s the most previous meetings in any bowl matchup since the 2016 Poinsettia Bowl between BYU and Wyoming (77). The series is deadlocked at 33 wins apiece with four ties.
▶ The Terps won the last meeting in 2013, a 41-21 win in Raleigh in the Terps’ final conference game as a member of the ACC. his will be the first postseason meeting between the two programs as they have only played at a neutral site twice, in 1917 and 1921.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
▶ The Terps have won seven-straight games against non-conference opponents, with the last loss coming on September 15, 2019 against Temple. Under head coach Michael Locksley, the Terps are 9-1 in non-conference games with wins over Power Five teams Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Syracuse.
▶ In the Locksley era (2019-pres.), Maryland’s average of 46.2 points per game in non-conference play leads the nation. The Terps’ have scored 30-plus points in nine-of-10 non-conference games under Locksley, and seven-straight.
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
▶ QB Taulia Tagovailoa has established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country and in Maryland history, currently standing as the Terps all-time leader in passing yards (7,658), passing touchdowns (50), completion percentage (68%), 300- yard passing games (12), total offense (7,843) and passing efficiency (148.0). He broke the passing yards record vs. #2 Ohio State (11/19), the touchdowns record vs. Rutgers (11/26) and is only five completions away from breaking that record (651).
▶ Tagovailoa is one of two current FBS QBs who holds his school’s career passing yards record despite playing only three seasons (or fewer) at that school. The other is Mississippi State’s Will Rogers, who broke Dak Prescott’s school career passing yards record earlier this year (Note via Press Box Live).
▶ Tagovailoa’s 68.1 career completion percentage (including Alabama) is currently seventh among all active FBS quarterbacks, trailing only Mississippi State’s Will Rogers (70.8), Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall (70.4), Ohio State’s CJ Stroud (69.3), Missouri’s Jack Abraham (69.0), South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler (68.7) and Fresno State’s Jake Haenar (68.3). He also stands 14th among all FBS quarterbacks in career completions per game (19.85, 15th in passing yards per game (235.1) and 23rd in passing efficiency (148.3).
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
▶ A College Football News Freshman All-American, RB Roman Hemby has been one of the best running backs in the nation through 12 games, standing top five in the Big Ten in both rushing touchdowns (10) and yards per carry (5.63).
▶ Hemby stands third among all FBS freshmen in yards from scrimmage with 1,200 (924 rushing, 276 receiving), only trailing Ole Miss’ Quinshon Judkins (1,590) and Cal’s Jaydn Ott (1,218). Against SMU (9/17), Hemby became the first Terrapin in the last 25 years to have 150+ rushing yards and 50+ receiving in a game (151 rushing, 62 receiving).
▶ Hemby has accounted for 24.6 percent of the team’s scrimmage yards this season (rushing and receiving), the third-highest percentage by any freshman in the FBS (Ott, 27.9; Judkins, 26.9).
▶ Hemby has three rushes over 50 yards this season, tied for the seventh-most in the nation and second-most in the Big Ten (Blake Corum, Michigan). His two rushes over 70 yards is tied with 10 other players for the most in the FBS.
▶ The Edgewood, MD native has rushed for 100 yards in four of Maryland’s seven wins (114 vs. Buffalo, 151 vs. SMU, 107 at Indiana & 179 vs. Northwestern), tied with Anthony McFarland Jr. for the most in a single season of any freshman in Maryland history. He is the first Terp ever to earn multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors (9/19 & 10/24) and leads all Big Ten freshmen in rushing touchdowns.
▶ Hemby has played a huge role in each of Maryland’s last three wins, scoring three touchdowns in both the Northwestern (10/22) and Rutgers (11/26) games and the game-winning touchdown in the Indiana (10/15) and Northwestern games. He is only the sixth Terp to rush for three or more touchdowns in multiple games in a season in Maryland history. The last was Brandon Ross in 2015 with three each against Rutgers and Indiana. Hemby is also one of only two running backs in the Big Ten to have two games with three touchdowns this season (Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota).
J-(P)-B-(U)
▶ DB Jakorian Bennett leads all Power Five players in passes defended since the beginning of the 2021 season with 27 (16 in 2021, 11 in 2022) and has the most career passes defended per game of any active FBS player (1.07). Bennett has 25 pass breakups and four interceptions over his career as a Terp, with 27 of them coming since the beginning of last year.
▶ Bennett is the only player in the Power Five this season to have two games with four-plus passes defensed (five vs. Buffalo, 9/3 & four vs. Purdue, 10/8). His five against Buffalo (9/3) were the most by a Terp since Tino Ellis in 2018 and tied for the second-most by any Big Ten player since 2015. Against Purdue (10/8), Bennett added three pass breakups and his first interception of the season, his seventh career game with at least two passes defensed.
▶ In 12 games played last season, Bennett had 13 pass breakups and three interceptions, for an average of 1.3 pass breakups per game. The senior had five games with at least two pass breakups, tied for the third-most in the country. Bennett’s 16 pass breakups were the most by a Terp since Domonique Foxworth had 22 in 2002.
ON THE OFFENSE: BY THE NUMBERS
1 – Over the last two seasons, Maryland tight ends have combined for 140 receptions, 1,453 yards and 15 touchdowns, the most receptions, receiving yards and second-most touchdowns of any tight end unit in the Big Ten over this time span. This season, TE Corey Dyches ranked third among all Big Ten tight ends in receptions (35) and receiving yards (449).
5 – QB Taulia Tagovailoa currently has the fifth-best career completion percentage in Big Ten history at 68.0 (646-for-950), only trailing Northwestern’s Dan Persa (72.7), Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins (70.0), Ohio State’s CJ Stroud (69.7) and Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien (68.1).
6 – QB Taulia Tagovailoa had the sixth-most single season passing yards in Big Ten history last season, only trailing Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State, 2018), CJ Stroud (Ohio State, 2021), Curtis Painter (Purdue, 2006) and Drew Brees (Purdue, 1998 & 1999).
8 – Maryland is one of only eight teams in the FBS and the only team in the Big Ten that return all five starters on the offensive line from a year ago (Cincinnati, Oregon, Pittsburgh, Stanford, Syracuse, Wake Forest & West Virginia). The Terps bring back All-Big Ten performers Spencer Anderson and Jaelyn Duncan as well as center Johari Branch, tackle DJ Glaze and guard Mason Lunsford.
10 – Maryland has eight players that have amassed 10+ receptions this season (Rakim Jarrett, 40; Jeshaun Jones, 40; Corey Dyches, 35; Roman Hemby, 31; CJ Dippre, 30; Jacob Copeland, 26; Dontay Demus Jr., 22, & Tai Felton, 19) trailing only Indiana (10) for the most in the Big Ten.
12 – QB Taulia Tagovailoa has 12 300-yard passing games in his career, the most in program history, breaking the record vs. Purdue (10/8). Last season, Tagovailoa set the single-season program record for 300-yard games with eight.
14 – The Terps have been one of the best teams in the nation in the red area, scoring on 41-of-45 of their trips to the opponent’s 20-yard line, the 14th-best red zone percentage in the nation (91.1). Maryland has scored touchdowns on 32 of those 41 scores, good for 78.0-percent of their red zone scores.
25 – QB Taulia Tagovailoa has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 25-of-28 games as a Terp, including 17-straight from October 30, 2020 to December 27, 2021. Tagovailoa has seven games of at least three passing touchdowns, most recently a career-best four at Charlotte (9/17).
65.4 – Maryland converted at a 65.4-percent clip on fourth down this year (17-of-26), the fifth-highest in the nation of those with more than 25 attempts. The Terps 17 fourth down conversions are the most in a single-season in program history. Maryland has converted a fourth down in 10-of-12 games this year (Purdue & Penn State) and moved the chains a season-high four times in the final game of the regular season vs. Rutgers (11/26).
70 – Over the course of his career, Maryland is 7-0 when WR Jeshaun Jones has 70 or more yards receiving. Jones’ 152 yards in the regular season finale against Rutgers were the most by a Terrapin since DJ Moore’s 210 against Northwestern in 2017
ON THE DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: BY THE NUMBERS
3 – K Chad Ryland has three made field goals of over 50 yards this season (a 52 and 53 yarder at #4 Michigan and a 51 yarder vs. Michigan State), tied for the most in program history (Nick Novak, 2002) and the second-most in the nation (Harrison Mevis, Missouri). The Second Team All-Big Ten selection was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after going three-for-three on field goal attempts, all from over 30 yards, against Rutgers (11/27).
9 – S Beau Brade is the ninth-highest rated safety in pass coverage among all Power Five defenders with over 700 snaps at that position, earning an 84.6 grade via Pro Football Focus
15 – P Colton Spangler is averaging 45.1 yards per punt this season (2301 yards on 51 punts), the 15th-best punting average in the nation (min. 3.6 punts per game) and third-best in the Big Ten. The Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection has pinned 15 punts inside the 20-yard line and booted 12 over 50 yards. Spangler was added to the Ray Guy Award Watch List on October 11.
24 – K Chad Ryland set the Big Ten record for most consecutive made field goals (24) with a 43-yarder in the third quarter of the win against Michigan State (10/1). The senior tied Maryland’s Brad Craddock (2013-14) and Ohio State’s Mike Nugent (2001-02) as part of a streak which spanned 14 games between October 2, 2021 and October 1, 2022.
41 – Maryland has had 41 different players start a game (offense or defense) this season, the seventh-most of any school in the FBS and the most in the Big Ten. The Terps have had 16 different players start on the offensive side of the ball and 25 on defense. OL Spencer Anderson, OL Johari Branch, TE CJ Dippre, OL DJ Glaze, RB Roman Hemby, S Beau Brade and S Dante Trader Jr. have started all 12 games.
53 – LB Jaishawn Barham has 53 tackles through 12 games, the most of any Big Ten freshman. Barham was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after tallying five tackles (four solo), two sacks, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery against Purdue (10/8), only the third Terp freshman in the last 12 years to have two-plus sacks in a game (Ruben Hyppolite vs. Penn State in 2020 & Andre Monroe vs. Wake Forest in 2011). He was named a College Football News First Team Freshman All-American.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE WOLFPACK NOTES:
THE PACK IN BANK OF AMERICA STADIUM
In addition to the three bowl games the Wolfpack has played in Bank of America Stadium, it’s also played four regular season contests in that venue. The Wolfpack closed out the regular season versus East Carolina in Charlotte in 1996 (L, 29-50) and in 2005 (W, 52-14). In 1998 and 1999, NC State and UNC moved their matchup to the stadium. The Wolfpack fell in both of those contests, a 34-37 overtime shootout in Torry Holt’s last regular season game and a 6-10 loss the following year. NC State opened the 2017 campaign at BoA Stadium versus South Carolina in the Belk College Kickoff Game, losing by a touchdown to South Carolina (28-35).
NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Not only does playing in the Duke Mayo Bowl give more NC State fans the opportunity to see their Wolfpack in action, but it will also give a big percentage of the Wolfpack roster a chance to play in their home state or near their hometown. Seventy-four players on the Wolfpack squad are from the state of North Carolina, including eight players who call Charlotte their hometown and 11 others are from the surrounding areas.
NC STATE VS. MARYLAND
NC State and Maryland are no strangers. The overall series record between the two schools dates back over 100 years. The teams first met on Oct. 30, 1909. For 30 years (1923 – 1953) both teams were members of the Southern Conference before leaving to become charter members of the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1953. The Pack and the Terps met every year on the gridiron from 1956 until 2013. The results of all those meetings couldn’t be closer, standing at 33-33-4.
CLOSE CALLS VS. TERRAPINS
In the 21st century, the games between NC State and Maryland have been close ones. Of the last 14 contests between the two teams, 11 have been decided by 10 points or fewer. Five of those 14 games have been decided by four or less points. Here’s a look at the games between NC State and Maryland since the turn of the century:
Year Score Res Site Description
2000 28-35 L College Park Game went into double-overtime.
2001 19-23 L Raleigh The Terrapins scored with under a minute.
2002 21-24 L College Park Maryland kicked a field goal with 34 seconds remaining to take their first and final lead.
2003 24-26 L Raleigh After missing an extra point to tie the game, the Terrapin placekicker booted a 43-yard game-winning field goal with just 23 seconds remaining.
2004 13-3 W College Park The Pack dominated the Terrapins defensively, allowing just 91 yards of total offense.
2005 20-14 W Raleigh NC State won by six to become bowl eligible in the final game of the regular season.
2006 20-26 L College Park The Pack turned the ball over three times to give the Terps a short field and easy scores.
2007 0-37 L Raleigh Maryland shut out the Wolfpack for the first time in 150 games dating back to 1995.
2008 24-27 L College Park Maryland drove 90 yards in the final five minutes and kicked a game-winning FG.
2009 38-31 W Raleigh Maryland got the ball back with 59 seconds and drove to the Wolfpack 42, but the Wolfpack defense held strong.
2010 31-38 L College Park With the Pack playing for the ACC Atlantic Division title, Maryland came back from 14 pts down to win.
2011 56-41 W Raleigh State trailed 41-14 with less than six minutes in the 3rd quarter, but scored 42 unanswered points.
2012 20-18 W College Park Nik Sade hit a 43-yard FG to put the Pack ahead 20-18 with 32 seconds left, and a Terp FG hit the upright as time expired.
2013 21-41 L Raleigh In Dave Doeren’s first year as head coach, the Terrapins won handily in Raleigh.
CLOSE GAMES
The Wolfpack has had five games decided by three points or less this season (three wins, one loss) and the scoring margin in its 10 games against FBS opponents has been just seven points.
Opponent Res Diff
ECU W +1
FSU W +2
Virginia Tech W +1
Boston College L -1
UNC W +3
WINNING VS. WINNERS
Know how many other teams in the nation have more 2022 victories over teams with 7+ FBS wins? ZERO! The Wolfpack is tied with eight other schools with five wins each against 7+ win (vs. FBS) teams. in terms of wins over bowl eligible teams, NC State is tied for third nationally with six – trailing just TCU (8) and Georgia (7).
Most wins vs. 7-win teams Most wins vs. Bowl Teams
- NC State 5 1. TCU 8
Louisville 5 2. Georgia 7
Tulane 5 3. NC State 6
Clemson 5 Tulane 6
Michigan 5 Kansas State 6
Ohio State 5 Michigan 6
TCU 5 Ohio St. 6
Georgia 5 LSU 6
USC 5 Tennessee 6
SERIAL SIGNAL CALLERS
NC State did not have a quarterback controversy in 2022. In fact, the matter of NC State’s starting signal caller for this season was pretty much decided last season, when Devin Leary threw for a school record 35 touchdown passes. Or was it? Leary – voted ACC Preseason Player of the Year – went down with a season-ending injury in Game 6. Enter Jack Chambers, who started the next two games before true freshman MJ Morris came off the bench vs. Virginia Tech to throw for three touchdowns and win the starter’s job for the next two contests. Next, down goes Morris with an injury and after Chambers started again vs. Louisville, scout team regular Ben Finley came in to lead the team and earned the nod in the regular season finalé. Over the last 15 seasons, (technically) only two other teams had four starting QBs each earn a win in a season: Army in 2020 and Utah State in 2014 (Tennessee also had four players earn wins in 2019, but that included a WR and South Carolina did it in 2021 but the fourth quarter didn’t get the official start because he wasn’t lined up at QB on the first play of the game).
Quarterback Games Started Record
Devin Leary 6 5-1
Jack Chambers 3 1-2
MJ Morris 2 1-1
Ben Finley 1 1-0
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
NC State’s four starting quarterbacks (plus WR Thayer Thomas) threw for 23 touchdowns in 2022. That mark currently ranks 10th in school history with a game left two play. But what’s most impressive about those 23 touchdowns is whom they were thrown to … or actually how many they were thrown to. Fifteen different players caught touchdowns for the Wolfpack in 2022 – the highest mark in the nation this season. That’s also a school record for number of different players with a TD catch (the previous high was 12 in 2010 and 2014).
FINE-BACKERS
NC State definitely boasts one of the most talented linebacking corps in the country, but also one of the most experienced. The Wolfpack trio of Isaiah Moore (MLB), Drake Thomas (SLB) and Payton Wilson (WLB) combined to post some pretty impressive numbers in 2022 and throughout their careers. Against ACC competition in 2022, they ranked first (Thomas), third (Moore) and sixth (Wilson) in the league in tackles for loss. For their careers, the Pack LBs have played in 134 games, 6,982 snaps, tallied 867 tackles, 110 tackles for loss and 37 sacks!
PACK PICKS
NC State has not had a single interception in a game this season. The Wolfpack did, however, have multiple interceptions in seven of its 12 contests. NC State intercepted 17 passes in 2022 – a mark that leads the ACC and ranks third in the FBS. The last time the Wolfpack had as many multi-interception games was in 2011 – the year NC State led the nation and set a school record with 27 INTs in 13 games. Tony Gibson’s defense has had three games with no INTs this season (UConn, Clemson and Virginia Tech), but picked a pair versus East Carolina, Charleston Southern, Florida State, Syracuse, and Boston College while pulling down three picks in the wins over Texas Tech and Wake Forest.
