CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- This is not how Maryland imagined it when the season began - depleted by injuries, stung by penalties and fighting for its dignity against inexperienced, turnover-prone North Carolina as the sun set last night over Kenan Stadium.

But there the Terps were, trailing by 13 in the third quarter to a Tar Heels team that hadn't beaten them since 2000. To its credit, Maryland scored 10 straight points and had the ball on North Carolina's 41 in the game's final minute with a chance to position itself for a game-tying field goal. But a harried Chris Turner threw incomplete on fourth down and Maryland was left to ponder a 16-13 loss, its third straight, and increasingly steep odds of advancing to a bowl game.

Boston College @Maryland

Saturday 8 p.m., chs. 2, 7, 105.7 FM, 1300 AM

College football inside

No. 2 BC is upset by Fla. State, 27-17

Matt Ryan's third interception is returned for a touchdown with 1:10 remaining, clinching the Seminoles' victory and ending the Eagles' bid for an unbeaten season. PG 9D

Elsewhere

No. 3 LSU scores two touchdowns in the final three minutes to defeat former coach Nick Saban and No. 17 Alabama, 41-34. PG 9D

Towson's late gamble backfires in a 16-13 loss to Maine. PG 11D