Hamilton Stars for Georgia Tech

Joe Hamilton threw for 387 yards and three touchdowns, ran for a 41-yard score and bolstered his Heisman hopes as No. 9 Georgia Tech defeated Maryland, 49-31, Thursday night in Atlanta.

Hamilton, the nation’s top-rated passer, threw his first two interceptions of the season but also threw touchdown passes of 80 and 29 yards to Dez White and a 30-yarder to Kerry Watkins.

The senior quarterback completed 19 of 31 passes and also rushed 13 times for 87 yards. Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) shredded the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense. The Yellow Jackets scored two touchdowns in the first 6 1/2 minutes, more than Maryland (3-1, 0-1) had surrendered in its first three games.

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Texas Tech running back Ricky Williams, out for the season because of a knee injury, said he probably won’t ask the NCAA for another year of eligibility.