Tennessee Is Unable to Handle Maryland

Maryland only dominated where it mattered most -- the scoreboard.

Scott McBrien ran for two touchdowns and Curome Cox returned an interception 54 yards for another as the No. 20 Terrapins defeated Tennessee, 30-3, Tuesday night in the Peach Bowl.

Maryland (11-3) was outgained, 287-274, but pulled away thanks to a stingy, opportunistic defense.

All-American linebacker E.J. Henderson had three sacks, four tackles for a loss, broke up four passes and forced a fumble.

Nick Kovak kicked three field goals for the Terrapins, who reached 11 wins for the first time since 1976. They also won a bowl for the first time in 17 years, removing some of the sting from last season’s 56-23 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl.

After a 1-2 start, including a 22-0 loss to Notre Dame in the Kickoff Classic, the Terrapins won 10 of their last 11. Ralph Friedgen is the first coach in school history to win at least 10 games in consecutive seasons.

The Volunteers (8-5) completed their worst season since 1988, and gave Coach Phillip Fulmer the most losses of his 11-year career. Twice the defense had to call a timeout after appearing confused and two roughing-the-passer penalties helped sustain Maryland scoring drives.

Tennessee’s Casey Clausen completed 23 of 37 passes for 242 yards, but made an ill-timed throw in the second quarter to give Maryland the momentum.

Scrambling out of the pocket, he lofted a screen pass toward an area cluttered with only offensive linemen. Cox ran in and picked it off, then weaved his way across the field and sprinted away from everyone for his second touchdown of the season.