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WINSTON-SALEM -- They created a new network for this one: ESPNUnlikely.

Alphonso Smith's 100-yard interception return changed momentum for Wake Forest against Maryland, but it didn't deliver Saturday's 31-24 overtime victory by itself.

In order to pull off their second-greatest comeback in 52 years, the Demon Deacons needed to break through where they hadn't in 2007 -- inside the opponent's 10-yard line -- or in their history, in overtime.

"This was the game to make or break our season," said tight end John Tereshinski. "I could name 15 plays right now where guys made big plays, and the crowd got into it."

Tereshinski's touchdown reception with three seconds left in regulation necessitated OT, and like most everything else, it didn't come easily. Tereshinki was quarterback Riley Skinner's third option on a fourth-down pass, a resounding success after three perilous interceptions.

"Having a short memory and a great defense really helps," said Skinner, whose team came back from a 24-3 deficit.

The Deacs (2-2, 1-1 ACC) lost to Nebraska two weeks ago because their running game accomplished almost nothing. Wake managed one offensive touchdown against Army last weekend, and in the first four plays inside the Terrapins' 10, the Deacons gained two yards.

Down 24-10, they lost 90 seconds of valuable time in the fourth quarter when their first two attempts inside the 10 failed. Even Skinner's sneak attempt on third down didn't elicit an official's approval for a TD. The only visible call made on the field was that Skinner had fumbled and Maryland (2-2, 0-1) had recovered in the end zone.

But referee Jack Childress ruled that his crew had decreed a touchdown without having publicly said so. Replay confirmed that decision.

"I thought before I even tried to stick the ball over that I was in," Skinner said. "It seemed like the play kept progressing. I guess people didn't think I was in, so I tried to stick the ball over and make sure of it, and I didn't have a good enough grip on it. Luckily, that call didn't get overturned. That would have been huge."

So when the Deacons bolted down the field in 60 seconds to get to the Terrapins' 6 late in the fourth quarter, nobody assumed anything. How did they feel on the possession?

"More tired than excited," center Steve Justice admitted.

When they lined up for fourth-and-five at the 6 and down 24-17, they had gained three yards on seven plays inside the Terrapins' 10.

Seldom did Skinner have the luxury of his first choice all day, so why should this be different? Mercifully for Wake, Tereshinski floated along the end line, hoping to be found.

"Corner route," he said. "And I swear it took about two years to get there, but Riley made a nice throw."

Skinner said: "I probably put a little too much air under it."

And so the game went to overtime after coach Jim Grobe decided to kick the extra point. At 0-4, Wake was the only team in the ACC without an overtime victory in school history. Grobe had never had a home crowd in this situation until Saturday.

When the Deacs again wound up on the Terrapins' 6 in overtime, they didn't mess around. Josh Adams hit a hole quickly and scored a TD. There would be no need to sweat it out. Finally.

The Wake defense secured it with three straight assaults on quarterback Jordan Steffy.

"It was the players coming together and saying, 'This is where it stops,' " said Jeremy Thompson, whose fourth-down sack ended the game.

Contact Rob Daniels at 373-7028 or rdaniels@news-record.com

Maryland 10 7 7 0 0 -- 24

Wake Forest 3 0 7 14 7 -- 31

Wake--FG Swank 24

Md--FG Egekeze 38

Md--L.Ball 13 run (Egekeze kick)

Md--Jackson 3 run (Egekeze kick)

Md--Lattimore 6 run (Egekeze kick)

Wake--Smith 100 interception return (Swank kick)

Wake--Skinner 1 run (Swank kick)

Wake--Tereshinski 6 pass from Skinner (Swank kick), :03.

Overtime

Wake--Adams 6 run (Swank kick).

A--31,964.

Md Wake

First downs 19 19

Rushes-yards 57-200 41-178

Passing 115 219

Comp-Att-Int 11-20-1 22-35-3

Return Yards 29 130

Punts-Avg. 6-44.7 5-38.4

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 1-1

Penalties-Yards 3-30 5-42

Time of Possession 33:35 26:25

Individual Statistics

RUSHING--Maryland, Lattimore 27-112, L.Ball 14-56, Heyward-Bey 1-54, Jackson 1-3, Team 1-(minus 3), Steffy 13-(minus 22). Wake Forest, Adams 20-91, Moore 5-37, Andrews 6-32, Skinner 5-15, Marion 3-4, Bryant 2-(minus 1).

PASSING--Maryland, Steffy 11-20-1-115. Wake Forest, Skinner 22-35-3-219.

RECEIVING--Maryland, Oquendo 3-18, I.Williams 2-15, Gronkowski 1-26, Haynos 1-20, L.Williams 1-16, Heyward-Bey 1-12, Goode 1-5, L.Ball 1-3. Wake Forest, Tereshinski 5-55, Adams 4-22, Brinkman 4-21, Moore 3-73, Marion 3-27, Selmon 1-16, Andrews 1-3, Bryant 1-2.