Chris Turner throws 2 touchdowns, Maryland holds off late Clemson rally to win 24-21

Maryland holds off Clemson for 24-21 win

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Chris Turner passed for two touchdowns and Maryland overcame two late missed field goals by Clemson in a 24-21 win on Saturday.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak by the Terps (2-3, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who snuffed out the Tigers’ final drive at the 28 with a sack and fumble recovery by Demetrius Hartsfield with 27 seconds to play.

Clemson (2-3, 1-2) cut the score to 24-21 with 4:11 left in the third quarter after C.J. Spiller scored on a 92-yard kickoff return and a 2-point conversion pass from Kyle Parker to Michael Palmer. The Tiger could have tied and taken the lead but Richard Jackson missed field goals from 47 and 48 yards away.

Maryland was held to 28 yards and a single first down in the first quarter as Clemson built a 10-0 lead. But the Terps rallied with 17 points in the second quarter to pull ahead.

Turner completed 19 of 26 passes for 215 yards and had scoring tosses of 29 yards to Torrey Smith and 4 yards to Ronnie Tyler. The pass to Tyler put Maryland ahead 17-13 with 35 seconds left in the first half.

Maryland managed just 69 yards on 45 carries, fumbling four times on — losing two. The Terps outgained the Tigers 284-274.

Kyle Parker was 20-for-37 passing for 180 yards and Spiller rushed for 72 yards for the Tigers.

Smith, who caught three passes for 64 yards, became the first ACC player to go over 1,000 all-purpose yards this season.

Maryland’s go-ahead drive covered 81 yards with Turner completing 5 of 5 passes for 49 yards and running the ball four times for 27 yards. The Terps closed the half with an interception by Jamari McCullough at the goal line.

Maryland punter Nick Ferrara had a big day, as well. He was forced to handle the punting duties due to an injury, averaging 43.2 yards on eight punts. He had punts of 61 and 53 yards in the first half.