Maryland 33, North Carolina 30, OT

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Posted 5:24PM on Saturday, November 12, 2005

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) Dan Ennis, who had missed two field goals and an extra point in regulation, kicked a 28-yard field goal in overtime to give Maryland a 33-30 victory North Carolina on Saturday. The Terrapins (5-4, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) bolstered their bowl hopes by rallying from a 10-point deficit with 9 minutes to play. Lance Ball ran for 161 yards and a touchdown, while Vernon Davis had seven catches for 139 yards and a score. Connor Barth who kicked the tying field goal with 9 seconds left in regulation missed a 38-yarder in second part of the overtime for the Tar Heels (4-5, 3-3), who took a disappointing home loss in a game that appeared well in hand. Matt Baker threw for 335 yards, while Jesse Holley had six catches for 115 yards for the Tar Heels. Both teams came into Kenan Stadium needing the win for their postseason push. But Maryland leaves needing to beat either Boston College at home next week or win at North Carolina State in the season finale to earn its sixth win. The Tar Heels must win their final two games to reach a bowl for the second straight season. North Carolina hosts lowly Duke next week, but closes the year at No. 8 Virginia Tech. Sam Hollenbach threw two long touchdown passes the second 80 yards to Danny Melendez to help Maryland rally and take a 30-27 lead. The Tar Heels responded, moving 76 yards in the 2-minute drill to set up Barth's 24-yard field goal. But after Ennis' kick to start the overtime, the Tar Heels had a chance to win the game when Holley headed alone for the end zone. But Baker's throw was late, and Gerrick McPhearson got there just in time to tip the ball away. Barth who kicked the game-winner on the final play of last year's upset of unbeaten Miami then trotted on the field looking for his fourth field goal. But a high snap appeared to take him out of rhythm, and the kick went wide right as the Terrapins spilled on the field in celebration. The Tar Heels led 20-17 when Baker connected with a diving Mike Mason for a 19-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, and Kareen Taylor returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown and a 27-17 lead with 9:07 left in the fourth. But Hollenbach led the Terps to a quick response. Facing a third-and-long, the quarterback sidestepped an oncoming rusher and hit Jo Jo Walker deep for a 67-yard touchdown. Then, after a North Carolina punt, Hollenbach again went deep, this time to Melendez for the long score down the right sideline and a 30-27 lead. Ennis hit the left upright on this point after, which would have given the Terps a four-point lead. That allowed North Carolina to force the overtime on Barth's kick. Maryland had owned North Carolina since Ralph Friedgen and John Bunting took over their respective programs in 2001. Friedgen had won the three previous meetings, with his team scoring 59 points in each of the previous two victories. In the last meeting, a 59-21 home win for the Terps in 2003, Maryland set an ACC record with 39 points in the second quarter. The Terrapins won 59-7 here in 2002. North Carolina hasn't beaten Maryland since a 13-10 home win five years ago. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)