Great Weekend for Sports

Thoroughly dominated for a half, the Maryland Terps needed a special play to steal momentum from No. 20 Clemson. Who else to call on than perhaps the Terps’ most special player, Darrius Heyward-Bey.

With the Maryland (4-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) down 17-6, the former high-school track star took off on a 76-yard reverse that set up the first of two second-half TDs in a 20-17 win Saturday at Clemson.

On 1st-and-10 from Maryland’s 20, Heyward-Bey ran around an open right side, cutting back through the middle of the field to the left sideline. By the time he was forced out by Clemson safety Michael Hamlin, Heyward-Bey was on the Tigers 4. ...Read more here..

New Washington Redsins coach Jim Zorn was looking for something to help him build up a healthy dose of hate for the Dallas Cowboys. Turns out, he kinds of likes playing his team’s archrival. Quarterback Jason Campbell threw two touchdown passes and Clinton Portis ran for 141 yards, leading the Redskins to a 26-24 victory Sunday that knocked the Cowboys from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Washington (3-1) won for only the second time in its last 13 visits to Texas Stadium. The Redskins held Dallas to 44 yards rushing and had 38:09 to 21:51 in Time of Possession. ...Read more here...

And the Washington Nationals lost their last baseball game of the season, which means they have the worst record in the MLB, and will have the rights to the first draft choice in the baseball amateur draft next June. The Nationals also fired five of their coaches after the game, keeping only pitching coach Randy St. Claire.

Five Days That Transformed Wall Street

The Dow Jones industrial average, which jumped between massive losses and gains this week, closed up Friday 3.4 percent after the Bush administration proposed an unprecedented $500 billion bailout for financial firms in direct response to the mortgage crisis. The plan needs the approval of Congress, which congressional leaders hope to pass by the end of next week. How the week unfolded:

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What a Difference a Week Makes

Maryland scored touchdowns on its first three possessions Saturday en route to a stunning 35-27 upset of No. 23 California. The Golden Bears didn’t reach the end zone until the closing minutes, and by then it was far too late.

Coming off a 10-point loss to unheralded Middle Tennessee State, the Terrapins were given little chance against a California juggernaut that totaled 104 points in disposing of Michigan State and Pac-10 foe Washington State. But, unlike the Golden Bears, Maryland was ready at the outset. The Terrapins put California in an immediate hole, and the deficit proved too much to overcome.

Da’Rel Scott ran for 87 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a shoulder injury, Turner threw for scores and the Terps (2-1) used a relentless defense to harass the Golden Bears (2-1) from the start. California scored three touchdowns in the final seven minutes, but it was too late

In his attempt to redesign the Washington Redskins offense, rookie coach Jim Zorn has constantly peppered Jason Campbell with all sorts of phrases. One of them: "Avoid, reset and throw." After a miserable first game, Campbell last week responded with a phrase of his own: "Coach, just trust me." ...Read more here...

On Sunday, both got the point. Campbell went from uncomfortable to prolific with a 321-yard passing day, and he mastered the "avoid, reset and throw" move with aplomb on a 67-yard touchdown to Santana Moss as the Redskins came from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 29-24. "We talked a lot during the week," Campbell said. "I said ‘Coach, just trust me.’ And he said, ‘I’ve got to trust you more.’ We do it together."

Campbell appeared out of sorts with Zorn’s West Coast attack in a 16-7 loss to the Giants, but he went 24-for-36 with no interceptions against the Saints. He completed his last eight passes as the Redskins (1-1) overcame a nine-point deficit with two touchdowns in the final 6 1/2 minutes. ...Read more here...

Football Off to a Bad Start

Quarterback Jason Campbell didn’t look at all comfortable in the Meadowlands, and neither did Jim Zorn. Maybe they just aren’t meant for each other. If they are, it’s going to take awhile to find out.

From quarterback indecision to poor clock management, the Washington Redskins were overmatched and overwhelmed for much of the night in Zorn’s coaching debut. While the regular season is kicking in for everyone else, the burgundy and gold still looked very much in preseason mode in Thursday night’s 16-7 loss to the New York Giants last Thursday night. ...Read more here...

The Maryland Terpapins were upset by Middle Tennessee State, 24-14, last Saturday leaving the Terps 1-1 but the loss was humiliating to the coaches, players and Terp fans.

The Blue Raiders’ victory was the first ever over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent and second victory for the Sun Belt Conference over a team from the BCS leagues this season. Arkansas State defeated Texas A&M last week.

The Blue Raiders (1-1) converted a fake punt when punter David DeFatta rolled to the right and threw back to the left to Alvin Ingle for a 28-yard completion. Maryland answered as Da’Rel Scott dashed 63 yard on the Terps’ second offensive play to tie the game. Scott rushed for a game-high 123 yards. Scott now has 320 yards rushing in the Terps first two games. ...Read more here...