Alex Wujciak

Boston College (7-4, 4-3 ACC) at Maryland (2-9, 1-6) Time:: 3:30 p.m. TV:: ESPNU Radio:: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: : Boston College by 6 Series:: Boston College leads 4-2. Last meeting:: Boston College won, 28-21, on Nov. 29, 2008, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Maryland offense vs. Boston College defense:: It's the final game for 14 Maryland seniors, including QB Chris Turner, who will try to return from a knee sprain suffered against North Carolina State.

In October 2006, Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown in a comeback win over Virginia. After that came a pronounced drought. Forty-one games — more than three years — elapsed before Maryland scored another defensive touchdown, on a lumbering, 70-yard interception return by linebacker Alex Wujciak in 2009. Since Wujciak's big play, Maryland's defense has demonstrated a penchant for scoring. The Terps have managed eight defensive touchdowns in the past 18 games — including two in this season's opening-week victory over Miami.

Today's game Boston College (7-4, 4-3 ACC) at Maryland (2-9, 1-6) Time: 3:30 p.m. TV: ESPNU Radio: 105.7 FM, 1300 AM Line: Boston College by 6 Series: Boston College leads 4-2. Last meeting: Boston College won, 28-21, on Nov. 29, 2008, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Maryland offense vs. Boston College defense: It's the final game for 14 Maryland seniors, including QB Chris Turner, who will try to return from a knee sprain suffered against North Carolina State.

When new Maryland defensive coordinator Todd Bradford talked prior to spring practice with Kenny Tate about changes he wanted to make to the Terps ' defense, Tate had just one problem with a proposed idea to move him to linebacker. It seems Tate isn't a big fan of linemen, specifically playing close to them. As a guy that earned his reputation playing in the open field at free safety in his first three seasons at Maryland, Tate's personal space issues are understandable. He got over his lineman-phobia as the spring progressed.

Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen and a number of his players criticized the campus newspaper Tuesday for an editorial cartoon making light of the motor-scooter accident that left offensive lineman Pete DeSouza hospitalized with multiple leg fractures. The cartoon by Morgan Noonan in The Diamondback, an independent campus daily, depicts a woman addressing a player in helmet and full pads. "I didn't think there was a game today," she says. The player replies: "There isn't.

Wide receiver-kick returner Torrey Smith earned the top offensive player award, as well as team Most Valuable Player honors, and linebacker Alex Wujciak was named the defensive MVP for the second consecutive year at Maryland's football banquet. Quarterback Jamarr Robinson was named the most improved offensive player, and cornerback Cameron Chism was the most improved defensive player. Kicker Nick Ferrara was the top special teams performer. - From Sun staff and news services div.talkforum #creditfooter { display: none; }

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Head coach Ralph Friedgen said he hoped to run out the clock with Maryland leading by two points with 5:22 left in Saturday's game with Miami. It didn't work out as the coach envisioned. Davin Meggett rushed three times but could not make a first down, and the Terps punted the ball back to Miami. Trailing 20-18, the Hurricanes then drove for the touchdown that put them ahead to stay, 26-20. Meggett rushed for 70 yards on nine carries in the game, including a 37-yarder.

No. 12 Georgetown defeated host No. 9 Syracuse (12-5, 6-2 Big East), 10-9, on Saturday to win the Big East regular-season championship and finish undefeated in conference play. The Hoyas earned the top seed in the Big East tournament and will face No. 4 seed Loyola on Thursday in the semifinals. This marks the second year in a row that the Hoyas (11-5, 8-0) have won the regular-season championship. … College of Notre Dame senior midfielder Lauren Terry (Catholic) was named to the All-Colonial States Athletic Conference first team for the second consecutive season.

- Maryland opened spring football practices Tuesday eager to erase the memory of a 2-10 season marred by inexperience, injuries and turnovers. "I think our team is very excited to show we're not a 2-10 team," Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen said before the first of 15 practices to be held over the next five weeks. "I really haven't had a season like that for a long time, to be honest with you." The Terps return 12 starters (seven on offense, five on defense), including three at linebacker.

When new Maryland defensive coordinator Todd Bradford talked prior to spring practice with Kenny Tate about changes he wanted to make to the Terps ' defense, Tate had just one problem with a proposed idea to move him to linebacker. It seems Tate isn't a big fan of linemen, specifically playing close to them. As a guy that earned his reputation playing in the open field at free safety in his first three seasons at Maryland, Tate's personal space issues are understandable. He got over his lineman-phobia as the spring progressed.

Of the many changes new coach Randy Edsall and the Maryland football team face this spring, one position seems to be undergoing a larger transformation than any other. The linebackers — one of the team's strongest units in 2010 — will have to adjust to a new scheme and replace two starters. But the challenge does not end there. Even veteran players will face unfamiliarity. The only returning starter, junior Demetrius Hartsfield, is moving to inside linebacker from the outside.

Lingering uncertainty from the NFL lockout filtered down to the Maryland campus, where wide receiver Torrey Smith, linebacker Alex Wujciak and 13 other draft-eligible former Terps ran, jumped and lifted weights Wednesday in front of about 30 scouts. The prospects, particularly the lesser-known ones, tried not to focus on the labor situation that has complicated efforts to latch on with a professional club. But it was hard ignore the facts. As long as it continues, the lockout will prevent teams from signing free agents.

Don Brown, whose attacking defense was one of the most improved units among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2010, will return for his third season at Maryland and his first under new coach Randy Edsall. A former head coach at Massachusetts, Brown, 55, had been rumored to be among several assistants on Ralph Friedgen's staff who were considering joining former offensive coordinator James Franklin at Vanderbilt. There was also speculation that Brown was being considered for a head coaching job at Elon University.

Like a band on its farewell tour, the 2010 Maryland Terrapins gathered a final time Wednesday and recorded one more win before sending a tearful coach Ralph Friedgen off with hugs, a Gatorade shower and 10 years of memories. If nothing else, Maryland's 51-20 victory over East Carolina in the Military Bowl provided solace for Friedgen, who had likened his final days at his alma mater to a "slow death. " When it was over, Friedgen smiled as he hoisted the gleaming Military Bowl trophy.

The parents of Alex Wujciak, who would go on to become an All- Atlantic Coast Conference linebacker, were once asked why their son had entrusted his college football career to Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen. After all, Friedgen was hardly polished. He doesn't move well, owing partly to his weight. He barely follows the news during football season, so he's not expert with chit chat. He can be politically incorrect. But that's just it, replied Wujciak's mother, Erin. Friedgen won Alex over precisely because he wasn't slick.

Maryland was nearing the end of its 2-10 season a year ago when a fan asked coach Ralph Friedgen why more Terps games weren't being televised. "To be honest with you, we've got to win more games," the coach replied. A year later, Friedgen and the fan both got their wishes. Maryland (7-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) has more than tripled its win total from last year. Its game against Florida State (7-3, 5-2 ACC) Saturday night to try to remain in its ACC divisional race will be televised by ABC in prime time.

Don Brown, whose attacking defense was one of the most improved units among Football Bowl Subdivision teams in 2010, will return for his third season at Maryland and his first under new coach Randy Edsall. A former head coach at Massachusetts, Brown, 55, had been rumored to be among several assistants on Ralph Friedgen's staff who were considering joining former offensive coordinator James Franklin at Vanderbilt. There was also speculation that Brown was being considered for a head coaching job at Elon University.

Of the many changes new coach Randy Edsall and the Maryland football team face this spring, one position seems to be undergoing a larger transformation than any other. The linebackers — one of the team's strongest units in 2010 — will have to adjust to a new scheme and replace two starters. But the challenge does not end there. Even veteran players will face unfamiliarity. The only returning starter, junior Demetrius Hartsfield, is moving to inside linebacker from the outside.

Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen had to pause to compose himself when talking about the coming final games in the career of senior linebacker Alex Wujciak. "As a lot of people know, he's one of my favorites," Friedgen said recently. The coach's emotions were understandable. If you're a football coach, what's not to like about a tough, chatty, aggressive linebacker with a ponytail and a well-honed instinct for playing defense? With its biggest Atlantic Coast Conference game in two years Saturday, Maryland (7-3, 4-2 ACC)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Head coach Ralph Friedgen said he hoped to run out the clock with Maryland leading by two points with 5:22 left in Saturday's game with Miami. It didn't work out as the coach envisioned. Davin Meggett rushed three times but could not make a first down, and the Terps punted the ball back to Miami. Trailing 20-18, the Hurricanes then drove for the touchdown that put them ahead to stay, 26-20. Meggett rushed for 70 yards on nine carries in the game, including a 37-yarder.