COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND - Nick Novak kicked a 26-yard field goal with 34 seconds remaining Saturday, extending Maryland's winning streak to seven with a 24-21 victory over No. 14 North Carolina State. <br>
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The Terrapins overcame a 14-point second-half deficit to make it three consecutive cliffhanger victories over the Wolfpack. Last year, Maryland clinched the Atlantic Coast Conference title with a touchdown with 41 seconds left, and two years ago the Terrapins won in double overtime. <br>
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The victory moves Maryland (8-2, 4-1) into second place in the conference, putting it on pace for a New Year's Day bowl game. N.C. State (9-2, 4-2) has lost two straight after starting 9-0. <br>
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Maryland got the ball with 3:22 remaining and drove 51 yards on its final drive, benefiting from a generous spot on a third-and-2 option run by quarterback Scott McBrien. A 36-yard completion to Steve Suter, his second big play of the game, put the Terrapins in field goal position. <br>
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N.C. State had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds as it drove into the Maryland territory, but Philip Rivers' long pass was intercepted by Raymond Custis inside the 20 with 14 seconds to play. <br>
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Suter, better known for his four punt return touchdowns this season, scored his first career rushing touchdown on a 64-yard reverse in the second quarter. <br>
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McBrien was just 10-for-18 for 130 yards, but he tied the game with 9:26 to play on a 21-yard touchdown run after the Wolfpack fell for his brilliant fake handoff up the middle to Chris Downs. The score was set up by Domonique Foxworth's 26-yard interception return. <br>
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Bruce Perry, last year's ACC offensive player of the year, scored his first touchdown of the season on a 9-yard run to pull Maryland within seven, 21-14, in the third quarter. Perry had one carry all season entering the game because of groin and shoulder injuries, and he finished with 23 yards on 10 carries. <br>
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Rivers was 24-for-40 for 297 yards, but he struggled under Maryland's pressure late in the game and had eight straight incompletions in the fourth quarter. Jerrico Cotchery caught a career-high 12 passes for 144 yards, and Josh Brown had 70 yards rushing, mostly after T.A. McLendon left at halftime with a shoulder injury. <br>
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The first half was a tale of two fourth-and-goals-at-the-1. The Wolfpack converted their attempt in bizarre and controversial fashion, while the Terrapins failed. <br>
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Leading 7-0, State got to the 1-yard line early in the second quarter and called timeout on fourth down. Just before Rivers went under center, five players ran off the field and were replaced by five others who lined up in an obvious passing formation. <br>
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Rivers took a quick snap, sneaked forward slightly and was pushed back. There was a delay before one official signaled touchdown, and Maryland's players and coach Ralph Friedgen were animated in their disagreement of the call. <br>
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Maryland had its fourth-and-goal on the 1 in the final minute of the first half, after McBrien recovered his own fumbled snap on third-and-goal. On fourth down, Downs was stopped by linebacker Dantonio Burnette for no gain, leaving the Terrapins trailing 14-7 at the half.
