Maryland Defeats Virginia, 27-17

Josh Allen ran for a career-high 257 yards and two touchdowns and Maryland kept its Atlantic Coast Conference title hopes alive Thursday night with a 27-17 victory over Virginia at College Park, Md.

“Josh Allen had an unbelievable night,” Terrapin Coach Ralph Friedgen said. “He really came through for us big-time.”

Allen ran for 154 yards in the first half, when the Terrapins scored on four of five possessions to take a 24-7 lead. That proved to be enough offense to provide Maryland (7-3, 4-2 ACC) with its second victory over Virginia (5-5, 3-4) in 11 tries since 1991.

The Terrapins can finish tied atop the ACC if North Carolina State beats league-leading Florida State on Saturday and Maryland wins its final two games.

A year ago, Maryland’s bid for a second consecutive ACC title was ruined by a 48-13 loss to Virginia. Not only did the Terrapins get a measure of revenge, but they finished unbeaten (6-0) at home for only the 19th time in the 111-year history of the program.

Allen, a sophomore, carried 38 times.

“I wanted to make sure I could carry the load like my team needed me to,” he said.

Matt Schaub ran for a touchdown, threw for a score and nearly brought the Cavaliers back in the second half.

“Once again we just made it too hard on ourselves,” Virginia Coach Al Groh said.

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Minnesota quarterback Asad Abdul-Khaliq, who injured his left shoulder in a victory over Wisconsin, is expected to play Saturday against Iowa. Abdul-Khaliq is ranked second in the nation with a pass efficiency rating of 175.3.... Alabama tailback Ray Hudson, who was arrested in Tuscaloosa and charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession, practiced and his status for Saturday’s game against Louisiana State is undecided. Hudson is second on the team in rushing with 405 yards in 83 carries.

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The Dallas City Council has taken a step toward keeping the Texas-Oklahoma game at the Cotton Bowl.

The State Fair of Texas and private groups have been working to raise $350,000 to help defray team expenses and the council agreed to give $50,000 toward that goal.

The game has been played at the Cotton Bowl since 1929, but the schools have threatened to end the deal and rotate the game between Austin and Norman, Okla. Although each school gets $1 million from ticket revenue, they have requested the additional $350,000 to keep the game in Dallas.

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Trustees at the University of Illinois delayed a vote that could have retired Chief Illiniwek, the school’s controversial mascot.

Although supporters argue the 75-year-old mascot honors Native Americans, opponents say that is not the case.

Trustee Frances G. Carroll, who withdrew the resolution, said she would reintroduce it in March, when most students will be gone from campus for break.