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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Georgia Tech, ranked 13th in both national polls and off to its best start since 1990, hosts Maryland Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in the first meeting between the two teams since 2007.
The Yellow Jackets, 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, earned a key road win at NC State on Saturday, 45-35. Junior Orwin Smith rushed for three touchdowns and sophomore Isaiah Johnson returned an interception for a touchdown in the Tech victory. The Jackets led 42-14 with 10 minutes left.
Georgia Tech leads the nation in rushing (378.2 ypg) and ranks second nationally in scoring (51.6 ppg) and total offense (587.0 ypg). Smith averages 15.1 yards per carry and has rushed for seven touchdowns, and junior quarterback Tevin Washington has thrown for 10 TD passes and just one interception.
Maryland, 2-2 and 1-0, broke open a close game in the second half Saturday to defeat previously unbeaten Towson, 28-3. Terrapin quarterback Danny O'Brien threw two second-half touchdowns and Maryland's defense forced four second-half turnovers. Devin Meggett rushed for 102 yards.
O'Brien, considered one of the ACC's top quarterbacks, has completed 96-of-150 passes for 913 yards and four touchdowns. Two Terrapin defenders -- Matt Robinson (12.0) and Demetrius Hartsfield (11.8) -- average double-digit tackles per game.
Maryland is under the direction of first-year coach Randy Edsall, who was the defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech in 1998.
Georgia Tech leads the all-time series, 13-6. Saturday's game is the first meeting between the Yellow Jackets and Terrapins since 2007, and the first meeting in Atlanta since 2006.
