Maryland Downs Georgia Tech, 34-10

Chris Downs ran for a career-high 212 yards and three touchdowns Thursday night at College Park, Md., as Maryland cruised to its fourth consecutive victory, 34-10 over Atlantic Coast Conference rival Georgia Tech.

Held to 29 yards in seven carries in the first half, Downs ran for 109 yards and two scores in the third quarter as Maryland (5-2, 1-1 in the ACC) turned a 6-3 lead into a 20-3 advantage.

The Yellow Jackets (4-3, 1-3), in their first season under Chan Gailey, endured their most lopsided loss since a 34-7 loss to Florida State in 1998.

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said his staff made adjustments in the blocking scheme at halftime. “I think our offensive line stepped up, and Chris Downs ... well, what can I tell you?” Friedgen said. “He had a phenomenal game.”

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Quarterback Brooks Bollinger has fanned the fire of the Wisconsin-Ohio State rivalry with a jab at the Buckeyes’ stadium.

Bollinger, who will start against the No. 4 Buckeyes Saturday in Madison, Wis., inscribed “The Horseshoe.... They built it. We own it” on a picture he sent to a woman in Ohio who is a Wisconsin fan, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The woman’s husband happens to be an Ohio State fan, and the photo ended up in the hands of former Buckeye quarterback and ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit.

Bollinger led the Badgers to victories at Ohio State in 1999 and 2001. In 2000, after the Buckeyes won at Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium, Ohio State players celebrated by dancing on the “W” at midfield. The Badgers returned the favor last year after their 20-17 victory.

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Nebraska senior running back Thunder Collins, a former Manual Arts and East Los Angeles College player, has quit the team so he can get a job and take care of his younger brother.... Ohio State freshman tailback Maurice Clarett said in ESPN The Magazine that he is contemplating challenging the NFL’s rule that prevents a freshman from entering the draft. NFL rules prevent a true freshman, sophomore or junior from making themselves eligible for the draft.... Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany said he will consider using instant replay to help officials do their job.... Miami Hurricane running back Willis McGahee returned to practice after sitting out contact drills the day before because of turf toe on his right foot.... South Carolina State running back Derek Watson received favorable news on two legal fronts: His 10-day jail sentence for contempt of court was thrown out and an assault charge pending against him was dropped because the female student who made the complaint said she no longer wished to pursue it. But the former South Carolina running back, a central figure in an NCAA probe of the Gamecock program, remains suspended from the South Carolina State team.... Utah State has received an invitation to join the Sun Belt Conference.