No. 20 Hokies take control early, cruise to 36-9 victory over skidding Maryland

By DAVID GINSBURG , Associated Press

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 3:16 PM

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Tyrod Taylor threw for 268 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, and No. 20 Virginia Tech built an early 24-point lead before coasting to a 36-9 victory over Maryland on Saturday.

The Hokies (7-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) amassed 289 yards in the first half and 484 overall. Taylor threw each of his TD passes in the opening 23 minutes to help Virginia Tech go up 27-3.

Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hokies are 4-0 against Maryland and have outscored the Terrapins 142-37.

Freshman Ryan Williams ran for 126 yards and scored his 12th touchdown, a single-season record for a Virginia Tech freshman. It was his seventh 100-yard game.

Wearing black and desert camouflage uniforms as a tribute to Army veterans, Maryland (2-8, 1-5) lost its fifth straight — its longest skid since 1998. Sophomore quarterback Jamarr Robinson, starting in place of injured Chris Turner, ran for 129 yards on 24 carries and completed 12 of 32 passes for 104 yards.

Terps kick returner/wide receiver Torrey Smith had four catches for 55 yards and set a single-season school record for all-purpose yards, eclipsing the mark of 1,840 held by LaMont Jordan.

The Hokies took the opening kickoff and promptly moved 71 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Williams scored on a 1-yard run immediately after a 30-yard completion to Jarrett Boykin.

Robinson misfired on his first four passes, and Maryland's initial two series produced only 1 yard of offense.

Virginia Tech made it 14-0 when Andre Smith caught a 3-yard touchdown pass to cap a 72-yard drive. Taylor then answered a Maryland field goal with a 10-yard TD pass to Dyrell Roberts.

At that point, Virginia Tech held a 209-21 lead in total yardage.

Following another Maryland punt, Taylor threw a 64-yard touchdown pass to Boykin for a 27-3 lead.

In the second half, after two Virginia Tech field goals upped the margin to 30, Maryland's Jared Harrell recovered a Taylor fumble in the end zone with 11:25 remaining.

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