Maryland did all it could to make a rough day for Ralph Friedgen go just a little smoother.

The Terrapins rushed for six touchdowns and sent Friedgen out with a victory as they cruised to a 51-20 victory over East Carolina in the Military Bowl on Wednesday.

Maryland (9-4) was back in a bowl game for the first time since beating Nevada 42-35 in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, and Friedgen was named Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year for bringing Maryland back from a 2-10 record a year ago.

Still it wasn't enough for athletic director Kevin Anderson who fired Friedgen on Dec. 20. Friedgen went 74-50 in 10 seasons at his alma mater and had to be happy about his team's final performance Wednesday.

Da'Rel Scott rushed for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and D.J. Adams made the most of his 13 attempts, picking up 35 yards but scoring four times.

East Carolina (6-7) was in a bowl for the fifth consecutive season, despite dropping four of its last five games.

Lance Lewis had 11 receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown for the Pirates, who were down 16-3 at the half and could never stop the Terrapins' rushing attack.