Da Rel Scott

- Tailback Da'Rel Scott , who broke his wrist in Maryland's win over Clemson on Oct. 3 and missed the next five games, has begun practicing and is likely to return Saturday against Florida State. But quarterback Chris Turner (knee) will miss his second straight game. The fifth-year senior is "50-50" to play in Maryland's final game of the season - and the last of his career - against Boston College on Nov. 28, coach Ralph Friedgen said Tuesday. The Terps have not won a game since Scott's injury Oct. 3. But Maryland (2-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference)

If running back Da'Rel Scott seems a little quicker than a year ago, there might be a few reasons. The first is that Scott -- after suffering shoulder and wrist injuries earlier in his career -- says he is healthy. The second is that he said his muscles have been honed by competing this past season in indoor track. Scott ran 60-meter sprints, recording a time of 6.87 seconds. Maryland said he ran the fastest time -- 4.33 seconds -- among running backs in the 40-yard dash during spring football workouts.

BOISE, Idaho - As they prepared for the Humanitarian Bowl, Maryland coaches knew they would have to stop Nevada's potent rushing attack. What they couldn't have anticipated is that they would spend valuable time and energy to corral and punish seven of their own players - including star running back Da'Rel Scott - who missed curfew a few days before the game. After meeting for 2 1/2 hours with athletic director Debbie Yow, coach Ralph Friedgen told Scott and the other players that none would be permitted to start the game, in which Maryland beat Nevada, 42-35.

COLLEGE PARK — Representatives of the Military Bowl watched Saturday's Maryland-N.C. State game and said they would like to have Maryland in the game at Washington's RFK stadium. "We'd love to have Maryland," bowl president Steve Beck said in an interview. "(We're) right down the road. It would be great to have them. " The question is whether Maryland would like to stay close to home — the game is Dec. 29 — or whether the Terps will have the option of traveling to a higher bowl in the ACC pecking order.

COLLEGE PARK - So much about Maryland seemed new. There was a new season to celebrate, a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback rotation and a flashy new starter at tailback. Maryland's red-clad fans were primed to rejoice in the novelty of it all, to embrace a win inside a stadium that is getting new suites and new seating. What the fans got instead yesterday was an uncomfortably close 14-7 victory against a Delaware team that got shoved around on the field - yielding 197 rushing yards by new Maryland starter Da'Rel Scott - but managed to keep the contest close.

COLLEGE PARK - -It has come to where Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen can't bear to watch a football team turn the ball over - his team or anybody else's. Friedgen talks these days like a man a little bit haunted. "NOOOO!" the coach says he screams when he watches a critical interception, even one on television involving another team. As his Terps (2-5, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) prepared for Duke (3-3, 1-1) on the road today, turnovers had become the bane of the coach's existence - and of his young Terrapins.

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.

Aren't turtles supposed to be slow? The Maryland Terrapins had impressive showings Sunday, running some of the fastest times at this year's NFL scouting combine. Da'Rel Scott ran the best time for a running back, and Torrey Smith posted the fourth-best among wide receivers. Smith's best time (4.43 seconds) — which fell short of Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey (4.3) — will help him in his effort to solidify his status as a first-round pick in the draft.

The Terps seemed listless. The Byrd Stadium crowd seemed restless. Everything changed once Tony Logan finally got the opportunity to field his first punt. Logan, who entered the day third in the nation in punt return average, faked left, went right and sailed 84 yards for a third-quarter touchdown that propelled the Terps to a 21-16 victory over Duke in Maryland's Atlantic Coast Conference opener Saturday. The Terps (4-1, 1-0 ACC) may have played an imperfect game — they trailed 9-0 until the final moments of the first half — but the victory allowed them to feel good about themselves heading into the bye week.

— For the longest time, Da'Rel Scott wore the yellow jersey. The tailback had been slammed to the turf against California in Week 3 of the 2008 season, injuring his shoulder. For weeks afterward, Scott wore the bright yellow practice jersey so the defense knew to avoid contact with him. The jersey was a fitting symbol for an obviously talented player — a legitimate NFL prospect — who has spent portions of his Maryland career not quite himself. While his time in College Park has included memorable success — he has take-your-breath-away acceleration in the open field — it has also been spent navigating around obstacles.