Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - 2002

Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - 2002

Maryland Terrapins 30
Tennessee Volunteers 3

Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Previous game: North Carolina 16, Auburn 10 (Dec. 31, 2002)

Official web site: peachbowl.com

ATLANTA (WATE and AP) -- Tennessee gained more yardage than Maryland, but the Terrapins packed in the points as they routed the Volunteers 30-3 in the Peach Bowl.

The Vols had 287 yards to Maryland's 274. Despite the yardage, the Vols were ineffective on offense.

It was the first time Tennessee has failed to score a touchdown in a bowl game since 1957.

"I felt like our guys were giving the effort, but we just couldn't capitalize on anything," Vols tight end Jason Witten said.

Witten's five catches gave him 39 for the season, breaking Ken Delong's team record for a tight end (34) set in 1968. Witten was the only Vol to catch a pass in all 13 games this season.

The loss was Tennessee's second in two years in the Georgia Dome. They also lost last season to LSU in the SEC Championship game.

"Maryland played a good game and we didn't," said Vols quarterback Casey Clausen, who completed 23-of-37 passes for 242 yards but made an ill-timed throw in the second quarter to give Maryland the momentum. "When you go up against good teams like Maryland you can't make mistakes."

Scott McBrien ran for two touchdowns and Curome Cox returned an interception 54 yards for another Terp score.

All-American linebacker E.J. Henderson had three sacks among his 12 tackles for Maryland. He also broke up four passes and forced a fumble.

Henderson was selected as the defensive Most Outstanding Player.

Nick Kovak booted three field goals to help Maryland win an eleventh game for the first time since 1976. It's also Maryland's first bowl victory in 17 years.

It was a difficult night for the Vols from beginning to end. Twice the defense had to call a timeout after appearing confused, and two roughing-the-passer penalties helped sustain Maryland scoring drives.

"As I told our football team, I take full responsibility," Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer said after the game. "We did not play nearly as well as I thought we were prepared to play. Our discipline wasn't what it needs to be."

The Volunteers (8-5) completed their worst season since 1988, and gave Fulmer the most losses of his 11-year career.

Portions of this report copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.