Wake Forest University
Maryland
Wake Falls In College Park Versus Terrapins, 37-7
10/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 21, 2000
By DAVID GINSBURG
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Surprise starter Mukala Sikyala ran for a career-high 112 yards and a touchdown as Maryland snapped a three-game losing streak by beating winless Wake Forest 37-7 Saturday.
The Terrapins (3-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) took control by scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. Sikyala, whose previous career high was 50 yards rushing, had 86 yards in the first quarter alone.
Maryland, scorched for 125 points during its three-game skid, blanked the Demon Deacons (0-7, 0-5) until the fourth quarter. Randall Jones punctuated the effort with a 90-yard interception return for a 30-0 lead.
Sikyala, a senior, carried 14 times after starting in place of LaMont Jordan, who has been slowed by a hip pointer. Jordan entered late in the first quarter and gained 86 yards on 10 carries, including a 44-yard touchdown run.
Backed by a rushing attack that produced 233 yards, Maryland quarterback Calvin McCall went 15-for-22 for 208 yards and a touchdown.
James MacPherson was 28-for-49 for 343 yards and three interceptions for Wake Forest. His 18-yard touchdown pass to Fabian Davis with 6:07 left ruined Maryland's bid for a shutout.
Wake Forest had two turnovers and just 53 yards rushing in falling behind 14-0 at halftime.
The Terrapins went up 7-0 by moving 69 yards in six plays on their opening possession. Sikyala ran for 52 yards on the drive, including a 30-yarder on a third-and-1 and a 13-yard touchdown run.
Maryland then snuffed a fake field goal and moved 64 yards in the other direction to take a 14-0 lead. On fourth-and-2 from the Wake Forest 10, Jordan entered the game for the first time and served as a decoy, plunging into the line before McCall passed to wide-open tight end Jeff Dugan in the end zone.
After punting on their third possession, the Terrapins' next drive ended with Brian Kopka missing a 25-yard field goal.
Kopka made amends in the third quarter, ending Maryland's opening march with a 47-yard field goal into the wind.
Late in the period, the Terrapins blocked a short field goal try and moved 80 yards, going up 24-0 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Marc Riley.
