The floodlights dimmed and the red dots darted around the field at SECU Stadium as the fourth quarter was set to begin. Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis stood behind center, ready to take the snap,

What little margin for error the fading Maryland football team had remaining in its quest for bowl eligibility vanished during a 31-17 loss to visiting Rutgers on Saturday night after the Terrapins wilted down the stretch, adding more misery to a season on the verge of becoming unsalvageable.

Rutgers' second rebuild under coach Greg Schiano could take a big step on Saturday when the Scarlet Knights visit Maryland in College Park, Md. A win over the Terrapins (4-5,