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Terps cruise by Tech

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland's tiniest player had a colossal second half, helping the Terrapins clear an imposing obstacle in their bid to repeat as ACC champions.

Chris Downs ran for a career-high 212 yards and three touchdowns Thursday as Maryland cruised to its fourth consecutive victory, 34-10 over Georgia Tech.

Held to 29 yards on seven carries in the first half, Downs ran for 109 yards and two scores in the third quarter as Maryland turned a 6-3 lead into a 20-3 edge.

The 5-foot-8 senior provided the clincher with 7:40 remaining, running 64 yards for a touchdown. Downs is playing in place of 2001 ACC offensive player of the year Bruce Perry, who has not dressed this season because of a torn groin.

Scooter Monroe had five catches for 105 yards for Maryland, which needed to go to overtime to beat the Yellow Jackets last season. Monroe is the first Terrapin with a 100-yard receiving game since Jason Hatala in 1997.

A.J. Suggs went 28-for-45 for 272 yards, and Kerry Watkins had nine receptions for 127 yards to lead Georgia Tech.

Delany draws Big Ten line

CHICAGO -- Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said he'll consider a number of measures, including instant replay, to help officials do their job. But he won't let anyone question their integrity.

"And where I draw the line," he said, "is when somebody begins imputing bad intentions."

Delany's remarks came in response to mounting criticism of league officials touched off by Penn State coach Joe Paterno after the Nittany Lions overtime loss at Michigan last weekend.

CENTRAL FLORIDA: Tailback Alex Haynes, who sat out last weekend with an ankle injury, practiced but was held out of contact. It will be a game-time decision as to whether Haynes will play Saturday.

MIAMI: Running back Willis McGahee returned to full practice after sitting out contact drills Wednesday because of turf toe on his right foot. Linebacker Buck Ortega is in intensive care with complications from arthroscopic surgery on a shoulder, but is expected to recover fully. McGahee, senior center Brett Romberg and sophomore tight end Kellen Winslow have been named to the Midseason All-America team by CollegeFootballNews.com. And McGahee and Romberg have been named to the CNNSI.com's Midseason All-America team. Junior middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and junior weakside linebacker D.J. Williams are among 11 semifinalists for the Butkus Award.

NEBRASKA: Running back Thunder Collins quit the team so he can get a job to replace his lost scholarship money and take care of his younger brother. Collins' father and a cousin were shot and killed when Collins was growing up in Los Angeles, and he said he didn't want to send his 17-year-old brother back there. His decision was prompted by a cut in his monthly scholarship payments -- from $404 to $199 -- that occurred after he was suspended four games for violating unspecified NCAA rules.

OKLAHOMA STATE: Junior forward Terrence Crawford had surgery on a ruptured Achilles' tendon, which will sideline him for the season.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE: Derek Watson's 10-day jail sentence for contempt of court has been thrown out, but the former running back might not be reinstated to the team. Judge Paul Short, in a ruling filed Wednesday, said Greenville Judge Matt Hawley failed to set deadlines or other requirements on the 240 hours of community service Watson was ordered to serve for marijuana possession.

WEST VIRGINIA: Avon Cobourne could become just the fifth Division I-A rusher to gain 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons Saturday. Cobourne needs 106 yards against Syracuse.

HOUSTON BOWL: The commissioners of the SEC and the Big 12 met in Houston to discuss the possibility of the conferences going head-to-head in December.

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