Winning day for Wilson despite picks

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NCSU, FSU quarterbacks match wits

Christian Ponder could study law.

He could start working toward a Ph.D.

Pursuing a second undergraduate degree is another option.

Punt return sets up Noles' rally

Greg Reid has made several big plays for Florida State this season, but none more important than Saturday.

The Seminoles (6-5, 4-4 ACC) were only a couple of minutes away from a devastating loss to Maryland when the freshman darted 48 yards with a punt return. That set up Lonnie Pryor's 3-yard run with 32 seconds left that gave Florida State a 29-26 win it needed to become bowl eligible for the 28th straight year.

"I told [quarterback] EJ [Manuel] before I would set him up for good field position and all you've got to do is finish the game," Reid said. "Everything worked out."

Maryland (2-6) at NC State (3-5)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Carter-Finley Stadium (51,500) -- Raleigh, North Carolina. Television: ESPN360.com. Home Record: Maryland 2-3, NC State 3-2. Away Record: Maryland 0-3, NC State 0-3. Neutral Record: Maryland 0-0, NC State 0-0. Conference Record: Maryland 1-3, NC State 0-4. Series Record: Maryland leads, 31-30-4.

GAME NOTES: A pair of ACC teams that have certainly experienced their fair share of disappointment this season will clash in Raleigh on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack play host to the Maryland Terrapins.

Maryland has lost its last three outings to fall to 2-6 overall, and the team now needs to win all four of its remaining games to have a shot at earning a bowl bid. The Terps simply didn't get the job done offensively last time out in a 17-13 loss to Duke on the road. Ralph Friedgen has experienced a great deal of success as the head coach at Maryland, but it has been a few years since the Terps were a legit contender in the ACC.

(20) Virginia Tech (6-3) at Maryland (2-7)

GAME NOTES: The 20th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies will attempt to beat the Maryland Terrapins for the fifth straight time in the series between the familiar ACC foes.

Virginia Tech was most recently in action on Thursday, November 5th, when it knocked off East Carolina by a 16-3 final on the road. That victory halted a two-game skid for the Hokies and enabled them to move to 6-3 overall, including 3-2 in conference. While not out of the race for the ACC title, the Hokies likely have to win the remainder of their regular season games and get some help to claim at least a share of the title.

Not only is Maryland an afterthought in the race for the conference crown, but the team has no chance at securing a winning record this season. Last Saturday, the Terps fell to 2-7 overall with their fourth consecutive defeat, a 38-31 setback at NC State. They are 1-4 in ACC action, and head coach Ralph Friedgen's seat may be getting warm in College Park.

Pack snaps skid, whips Maryland

N.C. State's players hadn't won in so long that they forgot how to react when they did.

Russell Wilson threw for three touchdowns and ran for another Saturday afternoon as the Wolfpack broke a four-game losing streak with a 38-31 defeat of Maryland at Carter-Finley Stadium.

"Normally we come in [the locker room], and it's kind of a somber mood," N.C. State defensive end Michael Lemon said.