Gary’s career rushing game helps Notre Dame cruise past Maryland

Associated Press

landover, md.

Jonas Gary ran for a career-high 136 yards and two touchdowns, and Notre Dame made itself right at home against skidding Maryland in a 45-21 victory Saturday night.

Tommy Rees completed 30 of 38 passes for 296 yards and two scores for the Fighting Irish (7-3), who have won three straight and seven of eight. Rees went 14 for 15 for 142 yards after halftime.

Notre Dame has made a habit of playing one “home” game a year at a neutral site. Although this one was held at a stadium only 12 miles from the Maryland campus, both end zones read NOTRE DAME and most fans in the crowd of 70,251 at FedEx Field were pulling for the Irish.

They were not disappointed. Notre Dame led 7-0 after four minutes, 24-7 at halftime and 38-7 midway through the third quarter.

Maryland (2-8) dropped its sixth straight and also lost starting quarterback Danny O’Brien, who hurt his left arm. The right-hander was replaced by C.J. Brown, who ran 24 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap a 97-yard drive.

Both teams were dressed for success. Notre Dame wore green jerseys and affixed large shamrocks onto their gold helmets, and Maryland pulled out its garish “Pride” uniforms — a white, red, black and yellow salute to the state flag. The Terrapins last wore the ensemble in the opener against Miami, a 32-24 win that remains their lone victory over an FBS team this season.