(Sports Network) - Christian Ponder ran 14 times for 81 yards
with a score and passed for 143 yards with a touchdown to lead Florida State
to a 37-3 win over No. 22 Maryland at Byrd Stadium.

Ponder completed 19 of 24 passes for Florida State (8-3, 5-3 ACC) and Antone
Smith rushed 13 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. The Seminoles will close
out the regular season next weekend with a non-conference clash against
national powerhouse Florida.

"That is just not satisfying at all. A 5-3 record, I just cannot accept that.
When we get back to 6-0 or 7-0 then that will be better," Florida State coach
Bobby Bowden said of his team's conference mark.

Maryland (7-4, 4-3) quarterback Chris Turner completed 16 of 30 passes for 149
yards and two interceptions. Running back Da'Rel Scott had 82 yards on 12
carries and Dan Gronkowski led the Terrapins with four receptions and 46
yards, but the defeat ruined Maryland's chance to make it to the ACC title
game.

"We didn't play very well, obviously. I'm very disappointed in the game we
played, especially when we had a lot at stake," said Maryland coach Ralph
Friedgen. "It just boggles my mind how we played so poorly in such a big game.
We're pretty much out of it, the way I see it."

A Boston College win over the visiting Terrapins next week, will give the
Eagles the Atlantic Division title and a berth in the ACC championship game.
If Maryland beats Boston College, the Seminoles will win the division.

Following a scoreless first-quarter, Florida State scored on a seven-yard
touchdown pass from Ponder to Preston Parker with 14:51 remaining to give the
Seminoles a 7-0 lead.

After an exchange of punts, FSU's Derek Nicholson recovered a Terrapin fumble
and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown to give the Seminoles a 14-0 lead
with 9:19 left in the half.

Florida State's third and final touchdown of the first half came on a one-yard
run by Smith with 1:35 remaining as the Seminoles went into the locker room
leading 21-0.

The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter. Graham Gano of Florida
State kicked a 22-yarder with 6:41 remaining. Maryland's lone score came on a
34-yarder by Obi Egekeze with 3:46 left. The Seminoles led 24-3 entering the
fourth quarter.

Gano kicked a 34-yard field goal with 14:30 remaining in the game and Ponder
got into the end zone on a one-yard plunge with 8:49 left as Florida State
took a 34-3 advantage.

Gano closed the scoring on a 48-yard field goal with 5:19 left as the
Seminoles finished the 37-3 road upset.


Game Notes

Florida State has won 17 of its 19 all-time meetings with Maryland...Parker
had eight catches for 67 yards...Florida State outgained Maryland 332-252...
The Seminoles forced four turnovers which produced 21 points...Florida State
registered six sacks for 43 yards.





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