COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Twelve streams of yellow smoke zoomed into the air over the Byrd Stadium end zone as Maryland’s kicking unit trotted off the field to a hum of semi-sarcastic cheers.

The Terrapins had just scored their first points of the game with 1:10 left in the third quarter, finally breaking a nine-drive stretch that included two interceptions, two fumbles and a missed field goal.

But the fireworks that erupted were more accurately indicative of the Syracuse defense’s performance in the game. The Orange (5-4, 3-2 Atlantic Coast) forced four straight turnovers spanning the 6:07 mark of the second quarter through the 12:35 mark of the third as SU defeated Maryland (5-4, 1-4) 20-3 in an ugly game in front of 37,213 on Saturday.

The same secondary that looked lost at times this season intercepted Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown twice while the Syracuse front seven sacked him thrice. Hard hits and aggressive playmaking from the defense highlighted what was likely the Orange’s biggest win of the season.

“We love it. We love sacks, we love interceptions, we love knocking the quarterback around,” cornerback Julian Whigham said. “We love ugly games.

“If we can keep that going, that’s great for us.”

Whigham said the team “had an idea” in the preseason that the defense would prove to be the team’s identity — and it has.

The Orange followed its shutout against Wake Forest last weekend with a dominant outing against the Terrapins. By the time UMD kicker Brad Craddock made that 23-yarder, SU hadn’t allowed a point in 113:22 of game time.

“I don’t think the defense minds at all,” Whigham said with a smile.

After Jerome Smith capped a 16-play, 80-yard opening drive with a 1-yard score, the SU defense began its stranglehold.

Dyshawn Davis sacked Maryland quarterback C.J. Brown on a delayed blitz to halt the Terrapins’ first drive. Marquis Spruill tackled Brandon Ross for a loss of 5 yards on their next possession before Craddock missed a 42-yarder two plays later. Then the Orange held Maryland to a three-and-out.

While Syracuse was unsuccessful moving the ball as well — penalties crippling any drive it tried to get rolling — Maryland was unable to hold onto the football from that point.

“When things is tough we know how to nut up and lean on each other and get the job done,” Davis said.

Durell Eskridge’s interception with 6:07 left in the second quarter started the run and epitomized just how far the secondary unit has come.

As Terrapins wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo bolted up the left side of the field, Brown pump-faked. But unlike moments earlier during the season, Eskridge didn’t bite. He backpedaled into the Syracuse end zone, rose up and caught Brown’s overthrow.

“He has really great range,” defensive backs coach Fred Reed said. “When he’s got the opportunity to get into the right spot, we believe he can make those plays.”

Whigham jumped in front of Terrapins tight end Dave Stinebaugh for a pick four minutes later. Then Darius Kelly and Ritchy Desir high-lowed Etta-Tawo, Spruill scooped the ball up and Ryan Norton kicked a 34-yard field goal to give Syracuse a 10-0 halftime lead.

Cameron Lynch completed the stretch when he recovered a Brown fumble on the Terps’ first drive of the second half. Norton converted his second straight field goal — a 30-yarder — that pushed the Orange’s cushion to 13-3 with 9:55 to play in the frame.

“We wanted to just put the pedal to the metal and make sure we get as much pressure on the quarterback as we can,” defensive tackle Jay Bromley said.

The six points that the Syracuse offense generated off four turnovers were meager, but they proved to be enough.

A Terrel Hunt 29-yard scamper set Smith up for his second touchdown of the game — a 21-yard run up the middle with 10:33 to play — as the Orange cruised from there.

“There are a lot of doubters out there,” SU head coach Scott Shafer said, “but we never doubted ourselves. Those kids never doubted themselves.”

With the win, Syracuse needs just one more victory to become bowl eligible.

The Orange travels to Tallahassee, Fla., next week to play No. 3 Florida State before hosting Pittsburgh and Boston College in the Carrier Dome to end its regular season.

But Bromley said the mentality can’t be “Oh, we’re one game away.” Bromley remembers his sophomore year when the Orange fell into that mantra after a 5-2 start.

The team didn’t win again.

“It has to be the next game,” Bromley said. “I know we’re going against Florida State. Great team, they do great things, but we’re not scared of anybody.

“The next game on the schedule is the next game we prepare for, and we prepare to win.”

Published on November 9, 2013 at 6:43 pm

Contact Stephen: sebail01@syr.edu | @Stephen_Bailey1