Today's game

No. 14 N.C. State (9-1, 4-1 ACC) at Maryland (7-2, 3-1)

Site: Byrd Stadium, College Park

Time: Noon

TV/Radio: Chs. 2, 7/WBAL (1090 AM)

Series: N.C. State leads 28-26-4

Last meeting: Maryland won, 23-19, on Nov. 17, 2001, in Raleigh, N.C.

Last week: N.C. State lost to Georgia Tech, 24-17, at home; Maryland defeated North Carolina, 59-7, in Chapel Hill.

N.C. State offense vs. Maryland defense: The Wolfpack is ranked seventh nationally in scoring at 38.5 points a game. Junior Philip Rivers is the top ACC quarterback and is ranked third nationally in passing efficiency. Freshman running back T.A. McLendon leads the league in scoring with 15 touchdowns. In beating North Carolina, Maryland gave up only its second first-quarter touchdown and is allowing 14.4 points a game. Cornerback Domonique Foxworth leads the ACC in pass breakups with 12.

Maryland offense vs. N.C. State defense: Running back Chris Downs averages an ACC-best 120 yards in conference games. The Terps are averaging 35.9 points a game, topping 40 points in four games during their six-game winning streak. The Wolfpack ranks first in total defense, allowing only 307 yards a game. Linebacker Dantonio Burnette has eight sacks and 16 tackles for loss.

Special teams: Steve Suter tied the NCAA single-season record for touchdowns off punt returns when he ran back his fourth in 2002 last weekend. Terrance Holt has had 12 career blocks of kicks for N.C. State, eight on field-goal attempts and four on punts.