McPherson’s Passing Paces Florida State

Nearing the end of a tumultuous season, the Florida State Seminoles know that they’ve at least won a share of the ACC title.

Adrian McPherson threw four touchdown passes in the 15th-ranked Seminoles’ 40-14 victory over North Carolina on Saturday at Tallahassee, Fla.

Making only his third start and first at home, McPherson threw three scoring passes to Anquan Boldin -- two in the second quarter as Florida State took a 17-0 halftime lead.

The Seminoles, 8-3 overall, 7-0 in the conference, can earn a bowl championship series berth and win their 10th conference title in 11 seasons with a victory next Saturday at North Carolina State or if Maryland loses either of its final two conference games.

After Florida State lost three of four games midway through the season, McPherson replaced Chris Rix at quarterback, and the Seminoles are 3-0 since the change.

With tailbacks Greg Jones and Nick Maddox out with injuries, Florida State relied on its passing game against North Carolina (2-9, 0-7).

McPherson completed five of nine passes for 112 yards in the second quarter, teaming with Boldin on touchdown plays of 43 and 19 yards. McPherson completed 15 of 30 passes for 237 yards.

No. 19 Maryland 30, Clemson 12 -- Scott McBrien threw three touchdown passes and ran for another to help the Terrapins win at Clemson, S.C., for their eighth consecutive victory. Chris Downs led Maryland (9-2, 5-1) in rushing with 101 yards in 20 carries. The Terrapins held Clemson to 211 yards of offense and four Aaron Hunt field goals in four trips inside the Maryland 20. It was the first time the Tigers (6-5, 4-4) failed to score a touchdown since losing, 38-3, last year to North Carolina.

Virginia 14, No. 22 North Carolina State 9 -- Matt Schaub threw two touchdown passes and the Cavalier secondary batted away a pass in the end zone in the final minute as Virginia (7-4, 5-2) won at Charlottesville, Va., to hand North Carolina State (9-3, 4-3) its third loss in a row.

Georgia Tech 17, Duke 2 -- Gordon Clinkscale ran for two touchdowns and A.J. Suggs completed 18 of 28 passes for 200 yards to help Georgia Tech (7-4, 4-4) win at Atlanta to extend Duke’s ACC-record losing streak to 24. Duke is 2-9, 0-7.