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GAME RECAPS GAME 4 • RUTGERS 34 - MARYLAND 13 BYRD STADIUM • COLLEGE PARK, Md. • SEPTEMBER 26, 2009 COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Rutgers defeated Maryland 34-13, behind a stout effort from its defensive unit at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium. The Scarlet Knights forced a total of five (three interceptions, two fumbles) turnovers against the Terrapins, including just 28 yards rushing by the Terps. Joe Martinek rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns to lead RU offensively. The Scarlet Knights recorded three interceptions in the game and posted two defensive touchdowns marking the first time during the Greg Schiano era RU had two defensive TDs. Rutgers scored on the first offensive possession of the game, ironically, on Maryland’s opening drive as junior LB Antonio Lowery intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards into the end zone. It was Lowery’s first career interception and touchdown. The Terrapins narrowed the gap on their next drive, going 45 yards in five plays, culminating in a successful field goal attempt by Nick Ferrara to make it 7-3. The Scarlet Knights added three more points to their total at the start of the second quarter when an 11-play drive ended with a 23-yard field goal by sophomore San San Te for a 10-3 lead. At the 13:26 mark of the second quarter, Maryland tied the score at 10-10 on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Chris Turner to LaQuan Williams. The Scarlet Knights and Terps then traded possessions with RU ending a Maryland drive prematurely after senior CB Devin McCourty intercepted another Turner pass at midfield. The interception was the fifth of his career. Maryland took over the lead at the close of the first half, connecting on a 34-yard field goal by Ferrara for a 13-10 edge at halftime. Junior SS Lefeged had a part in the Scarlet Knights’ next scoring opportunity as he forced a fumble on Turner in the end zone, which was recovered by senior DE George Johnson to put RU ahead 17-13. The touchdown was RU’s second defensive score of the game. The Rutgers defense once again came up big as senior LB Damaso Munoz forced a fumble on MD running back Da’Rel Scott which was recovered by junior DE Alex Silvestro in UM territory at the 48 yard line. The fumble recovery set up Rutgers’ next score as RU went 21 yards, for another Te field goal, this time from 37 yards out. His second successful kick of the game gave Rutgers a 20-13 lead at the 12:48 mark of the final stanza. Martinek helped seal the victory with a pair of rushing touchdowns in the final five minutes of the game, scoring on runs of 28 yards and 61 yards. Rutgers Maryland
1 7 3
2 3 10
3 7 0
4 17 0
Final 34 13
Record: (3-1) Record: (1-3)
First Quarter RU - Lowery 36 yd interception return (Te kick), 14:47 MD - FG Ferrara 38 yd, 12:17 Second Quarter RU - FG Te 23 yd, 14:56 MD - Williams 24 yd pass from Turner (Ferrara kick), 13:26 MD - FG Ferrara 34 yd, 0:11 Third Quarter RU - Johnson 0 yd fumble recovery (Te kick), 2:59 Fourth Quarter RU - FG Te 37 yd, 12:48 RU - Martinek 29 yd run (Te kick), 4:53 RU - Martinek 61 yd run (Te kick), 3:26 FIRST DOWNS RUSHES-YARDS (NET) PASSING YDS (NET) Passes Att-Comp-Int TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS Fumble Returns-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time Third-Down Conversions Fourth-Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards
RUTGERS 14 49-207 42 13-4-0 62-249 0-0 0-0 3-60 3-36 5-40.6 1-0 4-25 34:18 5 of 14 0 of 2 1-2 3-24
MARYLAND 12 24-28 271 38-21-3 62-299 0-0 2-9 7-140 0-0 4-32.5 3-2 10-85 25:42 5 of 15 0 of 2 1-1 3-15
RUSHING: Rutgers-Martinek, J.19-147; Brooks, J. 17-56; Lovelace, J. 6-24; Team 2-minus 3; Natale, D. 5-minus 17. Maryland-Scott, D. 9-22; Meggett, D. 3-10; Jackson 2-2; Turner, C. 10minus 6. PASSING: Rutgers-Natale, D. 4-12-0-42; Graves, S. 0-1-0-0. Maryland-Turner, C. 21-38-3-271. RECEIVING: Rutgers-Martinek, J. 2-24; Brown, T. 1-9; Sanu, M. 1-9. Maryland-Cannon 5-46; Smith 4-112; Watson, L. 3-20; Tyler 2-31; Galt, T. 2-14; Williams 1-24; Douglas 1-10; Furstenburg 1-9; McCree 1-6; Scott, D. 1-minus 1. INTERCEPTIONS: Rutgers-Lowery, A. 1-36; McCourty, D. 1-0; Anderson, B. 1-0. MarylandNone. FUMBLES: Rutgers--Natale, D. 1-0. Maryland-Turner, C. 2-1; Scott, D. 1-1. TOTAL ELAPSED TIME: 3:00 ATTENDANCE: 43,848