SOUTH ROUNDUP : Georgia Tech Has 11 Sacks, Bags Maryland, 31-3

Maryland quarterback Scott Zolak was sacked 11 times, while his less-publicized counterpart, Georgia Tech quarterback Shawn Jones, passed for a career-high 271 yards, and the No. 23-ranked Yellow Jackets routed the Terrapins, 31-3, in an Atlantic Coast Conference game Saturday at College Park, Md.

The 11 sacks resulted in 65 yards lost, giving Maryland a net rushing total of minus 20, the worst ever by a Georgia Tech opponent.

Georgia Tech linebacker Marco Coleman had four solo sacks and aided on a fifth.

Last year, Jones threw for four touchdowns in a 28-24 victory over Maryland. This time, the sophomore completed 15 of 25 passes and averaged 18 yards per completion.

Georgia Tech, 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, sacked Zolak seven times in the first half in taking a 17-3 lead. A 40-yard pass from Jones to Greg Lester made it 24-3 late in the third quarter and running back Jeff Wright scored his second touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Maryland (3-3, 1-2) was a blowout victim for the second consecutive week. Last Saturday, Michigan beat the Terrapins, 45-17.

Off to its best start since 1970, Georgia Tech has won 11 of 12 and eight in a row. The Yellow Jackets, who have not allowed a touchdown on defense this season, have 23 sacks and 12 interceptions in four games.

No. 16 Clemson 34, Georgia 3--Nine of the last 11 Clemson-Georgia games were decided by a touchdown or less, but there was nothing close about this game Saturday at Clemson, S.C.

It was the most lopsided victory by Clemson in the series since a 35-0 victory in 1905.

Clemson (5-1) dominated the Bulldogs (3-2), holding them to a season-low 131 yards and eight first downs before 84,000 at Death Valley.

Georgia did not get inside the Clemson 27-yard line as its offense had its worst day of the year, worse than the 222 yards it had against LSU in its opener, which it lost, 18-13.

The loss to Clemson was Georgia’s worst since 1977, when the Bulldogs lost to Kentucky, 33-0.

Freshman Ronald Williams led the Clemson ground attack, rushing for 128 yards and touchdowns of 51 and five yards.

North Carolina 31, Wake Forest 24--Natrone Means scored three touchdowns, including a fourth-quarter tiebreaker, to help the Tar Heels (4-2, 1-1) beat the Deamon Deacons (2-3, 0-2) in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Means, a true freshman, rushed for 134 yards in 24 carries, although he fumbled twice.

Virginia Tech 26, West Virginia 21--Will Furrer threw two touchdown passes and Mickey Thomas kicked two field goals to lead the Hokies (3-3) over the Mountaineers (2-3) at Blacksburg, Va.

Furrer, who compelted 19 of 31 passes for 210 yards, directed touchdown drives of 70 and 80 yards in the second half.

Southern Mississippi 16, East Carolina 7--The Golden Eagles (4-2) struggled past the Pirates (2-4) at Greenville, N.C.

Southern Mississippi led only 10-7 late in the third quarter, but Jim Taylor kicked two of his three field goals in the fourth quarter to ensure the victory.

The Golden Eagles never trailed after driving 50 yards in ten plays for a touchdown on their first possession, with Tony Smith slipping in from one. A 32-yard punt return by Smith set up the drive.

North Carolina State 56, Appalachian State 0--The Wolfpack (4-2) grabbed a quick 21-0 lead, coasted until halftime, then went back into high gear to run away from the Mountaineers (2-3) at Raleigh, N.C.

Louisville 38, Tulsa 14--Browning Nagle passed for two touchdowns in the third quarter as the Cardinals (4-1-1-) broke open a close game at Louisville. Tulsa fell to 1-5.

Memphis State 21, Tulane 14--The Tigers (3-1) scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat the Green Wave (2-4) at Memphis. The winning score was a six-yard pass to Russell Copeland.