If it couldn’t get any worse than the opener against Cal, the Terrapins’ first-half effort in Winston-Salem came close.
Maryland fell behind 35-10 at halftime and couldn’t recover as Wake Forest quarterback Riley Skinner threw for 360 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Demon Deacons to a 42-32 victory.
The Wake Forest offense simply marched up and down the field throughout the half with little resistance. Don Brown’s defense surrendered 516 total yards for the game and did not force a punt until late in the second quarter.
Terps quarterback Chris Turner passed for 307 yards, but much of it came after Maryland was forced to abandon the running game after falling behind early. The senior tossed two scores to Adrian Cannon and another to Torrey Smith.
The loss ends the Terps’ brief stay at the top of the ACC Atlantic Division and brings their record to 2-4.
Next week, the Terps return to College Park for Homecoming Weekend to take on Virginia.
If you’re interested in joining WNST and Terps fanatic Glenn Clark for our bus trip to the game, check out the trips section at the top of the page.
You can check out tonight’s box score here.
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9:46 p.m. — This one really wasn’t as close as the final score indicated, as Wake Forest really lost its intensity after leading by 25 at halftime.
The Terps fall to 2-4 and 1-1 in the ACC while Wake Forest (4-2) improves its conference record to 2-1.
9:39 p.m. — We’re having internet issues again at the Glenn Clark household, but we did get to see Turner’s touchdown pass to Torrey Smith, making it a 42-32 game.
The bad news is there’s only 1:31 remaining in the game.
9:33 p.m. — Turner has carried the ball a ton in this game. Sixteen carries to be exact.
The problem? Only 27 yards.
9:31 p.m. — We’re down to only 3:47 remaining, and the Demon Deacons have eclipsed the 500 yard mark for the first time since 2004.
Skinner throws incomplete to Williams, and Wake will have to punt with 3:20 remaining.
Logan fields the punt and is absolutely crushed by Joe Hall. Might want to call for a fair catch there, Tony.
9:24 p.m. — After the first couple weeks, Terps fans were circling next week’s battle with Virginia as an easy win, but it’s hard not to worry now as Al Groh’s Cavaliers blasted Indiania today, 47-7.
Yes, it was only Indiana, but considering how poorly Virginia was playing over the first couple weeks and how much better they’ve looked of late, nothing is a given.
9:19 p.m. — I apologize for the delay. The ESPN360/internet connection just went out.
And as we’re back, Turner throws an interception into the end zone, the ball picked off by Domonique Tate.
That’ll do it right there.
Under eight minutes to play now, and the Terps still trail by 17.
9:11 p.m. — The Terps will try it, after all. Ferrara then just pooches it inside the 10, and Pendergrass must retrieve and can only return the ball to the 12.
A three-and-out here would give the Terps a prayer at least.
Pendergrass then runs the ball right for a gain of five.
Working out of the shotgun, Skinner hands the ball off and Wujciak bottles up Pendergrass after only a gain of one. Nice defense there.
On 3rd-and-4, the Terps bring the pressure as Skinner finds Adams coming out of the backfield. However,
9:09 p.m. — Ferrara lined up for the onside kick, but the Demon Deacons take a timeout. You would think Friedgen will kick it away now, but we’ll see.
9:07 p.m. — Turner throws to the end zone incomplete, but cornerback Kenny Okoro is flagged for defensive holding, giving the Terps a first down at the Wake 16.
From the shotgun, Turner feels the pressure and keeps for a gain of one. He then finds Cannon who breaks a tackle and gets into the end zone for a Maryland touchdown.
Maryland will go for the two-point conversion to try to make it 42-25. Turner rolls right and then throws back to Meggett, and the back finds his way into the end zone.
11:00 remaining and the Terps trail 42-25.
9:05 p.m. — On 2nd-and-10, Turner throws to Cannon who fights for a first down. Maryland is down to the Wake 32-yard line.
Turner then keeps it to the right and gains six yards.
If you’re looking for another positive, the offense has not turned the ball over tonight.
Does that help?
9:03 p.m. — Just 13 minutes to go in this one. On 3rd-and-8, Turner cannot find anyone but keeps it and picks up the first down.
The senior quarterback then finds Smith on the far sideline for another first down.
The Terps have played better in the second half, but that’s not exactly saying anything, is it?
9:01 p.m. — Carl Russell just got to Skinner for a sack, setting up another 3rd-and-long situation for Wake. The problem is the Deacons have been outstanding on those situations tonight.
On 3rd-and-17, Skinner must throw it away, but here comes a flag. Maryland is called for unsportsmanlike conduct after the play, a 15-yard penalty.
Wake Forest will go for it on 4th-and-2. Pendergrass is stuffed on the play, and the Terps will take over on downs.
Comeback?
Yeah, didn’t think so.
8:55 p.m. — The highlights of the game…well…the barbecue chicken pizza Glenn and I ordered wasn’t too shabby. And the cold brews were a plus.
Other than that?
8:53 p.m. — On 3rd-and-17, Skinner rolls out to the right and finds Williams for a first down. This is just depressing.
Thankfully, we’ve reached the end of the third quarter.
Wake Forest 42, Maryland 17
8:51 p.m. — On 2nd-and-10, Smith makes a catch on the near sideline, picking up about five yards.
Turner then works from the shotgun on third down, stares down the receiver Kerry Boykins and throws incomplete.
The Terps will go for it on fourth down, and Russell absolutely destroys Turner after beating left guard Lamar Young.
Terrible.
8:49 p.m. — An excessive celebration call forces Wake to kick off from its own 15, but Smith is only able to return the kick to the 37.
Turner throws the hitch to Smith who picks up seven yards on the playf.
On second down, Douglas gets the ball and runs up the middle for a gain of only a couple, setting up 3rd-and-1. Douglas then picks up the first down with a run up the middle.
8:43 p.m. — Givens is wide open and Skinner finds him for the 27-yard touchdown. Chisholm appeared to be the man who was supposed to be covering him.
What little hope the Terps may have had ended right there.
Wake Forest 42, Maryland 17.
8:42 p.m. — On third down, Adams catches the pass and picks up the first down after Hartsfield blows the tackle. The ball is on the Maryland 28.
Adams runs right on first down for a gain of one. A turnover would be nice here.
8:41 p.m. — A holding call will move Wake Forest back to their own 44. Skinner works from the shotgun and finds Given wide open underneath as the receiver picks up the first down.
On first down, Skinner is nearly sacked by Hartsfield, forcing the quarterback to throw it away. The senior quarterback then throws incomplete, setting up a 3rd-and-10.
8:37 p.m. — Wake takes over at its own 31-yard line. Skinner finds Williams after rolling out to the right, and the receiver picks up the first down.
Givens then gets the ball and picks up eight. The Deacons are on the move, already into Maryland territory.
8:35 p.m. — Douglas then runs to the 4, setting up 2nd-and-3.
Turner will then keep it as he runs right, but he is stopped just short of the first down.
Big play here as Maryland shifts to the shotgun. Turner throws incomplete as the ball is tipped away and nearly picked off.
On fourth down, Turner throws the fade to Adrian Cannon, and it’s a touchdown for the Terps! Ferrara’s extra point will make the score 35-17.
It’s nice to see a little bit of life out of this team.
8:31 p.m. — Turner throws left to Smith to the 18-yard line, setting up 3rd-and-2 for the Terps.
Turner keeps the ball and runs down to the 10, giving Maryland another first down. Pinegar made a nice block after pulling on the play.
8:29 p.m. — It’s nice seeing the Terps get the ball to Gary Douglas, who just took a screen pass and scampered all the way down to the Wake 27-yard line. However, he was shaken up after being brought down.
On first down, Meggett picks up about four yards.
8:26 p.m. — On second down, Adams takes the pitch to the right side, but Wake is flagged for a block below the waist, making it 2nd-and-25.
Skinner throws the ball away on the next play, and now we have a holding call against the Demon Deacons. Wake looking sloppy to begin the second half.
On 3rd-and-33, Wake runs the draw and Wujciak brings down Adams after a minimal gain.That series was more a product of Wake Forest mistakes than Maryland defense.
8:20 p.m. — On 3rd-and-8, Turner’s pass is batted down, and Maryland will have to punt.
Ferrara’s punt goes to the Wake 37, and Riley Skinner and the Deacons will take over for their first possession of the second half.
8:19 p.m. — Maryland will receive to begin the second half. The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
The Terps will start the second half at the 20, and let’s see if the Terps can make this one respectable.
On first down, Turner keeps it for five yards. Maryland is going no-huddle, and Turner hits Smith for a first-down completion to the 31.
8:03 p.m. — Wake Forest has 381 total yards—at halftime. The Terps have 74.
The Florida-LSU game is looking VERY tempting right now.
7:57 p.m. — Turner keeps it on third down and picks up the first down.
He then finds Tyler, but a nice open-field tackle will force the Terps to use their last timeout.
On 2nd-and-5, Turner is sacked by John Russell up the middle, beating Phil Costa on the play. So much for that drive.
R.J. Dill is then flagged for a false start. With just a few seconds remaining, Turner throws incomplete as he tries to find Smith downfield.
We’ve reached the end of the first half. Wake Forest leads 35-10.
What does Ralph Friedgen tell his squad at halftime?
7:53 p.m. — Just over a minute remaining in the first half.
On 2nd-and-10, Turner finds Ronnie Tyler over the middle, setting up third down with only a yard to go. The Terps will use a timeout with 55 seconds remaining in the half.
7:51 p.m. — Turner just tried to throw the ball to Meggett, and the back drops it. That’s about right.
On third down, Turner finds Adrian Cannon for the first down.
7:49 p.m. — On 2nd-and-11, Skinner cannot find an open man and is sacked by Hartsfield.
On 3rd-and-12, the secondary covers well, forcing the senior quarterback to run. Skinner only gains one, and WAKE FOREST WILL PUNT.
A moral victory for the Terps, I suppose. Tony Logan finally gets to field a punt and calls for the fair catch.
7:45 p.m. — Pendergrass runs left for another massive gain before Perez saves the touchdown by tripping him up at the Wake 47.
Pendergrass then runs right for another nice gain.
On 2nd-and-1, Pendergrass runs inside, but there’s a flag on the play. Holding on Wake Forest.
7:43 p.m. — Turner is clearly shaken due to the poor protection. He just bounced one to Smith on a short pass.
On third down, Turner throws incomplete to Smith.
Maryland will punt. Anything else good on TV tonight?
7:42 p.m. — All you need to know about this one:
Riley Skinner is 14 of 17 for 243 yards and three touchdowns.
Embarrassing.
7:40 p.m. — Porzel gets the pitch and runs left for only a yard.
On second down, Turner calls a timeout with 4:17 remaining.
Can’t wait til the pizza gets there. This one is tough to watch.
7:38 p.m. — Skinner is 13 for 15 right now.
On 2nd-and-7, Skinner throws a beautiful ball into the end zone, but Williams cannot bring it in. Williams had a step on Anthony Wiseman there.
On a positive note, that’s better coverage than what we’ve seen for most of the night.
On 3rd-and-7, Skinner finds a wide-open Parker running a seam route. Touchdown.
This defense is worse tonight than it was against Cal. Something I didn’t think was possible.
35-10.
7:36 p.m. — Jackson takes the kick and returns it to the Wake 24-yard line.
Skinner works from the gun on first down and is sacked. Good pressure that time from the defense. Ben Pooler is credited for the sack.
On 2nd-and-14, Skinner finds Rinfrette for a nice gain, setting up a manageable 3rd-and-9. Skinner then finds a wide-open Brown for a huge gain. No pressure and Brown has no one within 10 yards of him.
Wake has a first down at the Maryland 23-yard line.
7:31 p.m. — On 2nd-and-11, Turner tries to throw downfield, but Dorty gets him again. The right side of the line is just getting killed.
On 3rd-and-17, Turner works out of the gun and throws underneath to Smith, but Wake wraps him up quickly.
Ferrara will attempt a 50-yard field goal from the right hash. It’s good.Very impressive.
28-10 with 7:27 to go in the first half.
7:28 p.m. — Turner finds Tommy Galt for a big gain and only Maryland’s second first down.
On the next play, Franklin calls a screen to Gary Douglas who picks up nice yardage all the way down to the Wake 30-yard line.
Nice to see the offense has a pulse at least.
7:25 p.m. — Adams runs for another first down all the way down to the Terps’ 31. A team of tackling dummies might be more effective at this point.
Receiver Chris Givens gets the ball but slips for a loss of one.
On the next play, Darin Drakeford comes on the blitz, but Skinner is able to throw the ball away.
On 3rd-and-11, Skinner, working from the gun, finds Givens for a 31-yard touchdown. All day to throw there, and the rout is officially on, Terps fans.
Wake Forest leads, 28-7, with 10:28 remaining in the half.
7:21 p.m. — Wake takes over and Skinner hits Jordan Williams for six yards. Skinner is red hot right now.
On second down, Adams runs right and picks up the first down as the Deacons are into Maryland territory.
Anyone bother to tell the Maryland defense the game started at 6:30?
7:18 p.m. — Cory Jackson gets the first-down carry and only picks up one yard. The offense badly needs a drive here, if only to keep the defense off the field.
On 2nd-and-9, the Terps give it to Smith who runs right for four yards.
Needing five yards on third down, Turner works from the gun and is sacked by defensive end Tristan Dorty. This one is getting very ugly very quickly.
Ferrara punts and Wake Forest calls for a fair catch at its own 43.
7:16 p.m. — Wake Forest already has 11 first downs—in one quarter of play.
This one has the potential to be a long night if things don’t turn around quickly.
Smith with a nice return that will be called back by an illegal block in the back by Emani Lee-Oddai. The penalty moves the Terps back to their own 15.
7:13 p.m. — On 2nd-and-5, Pendergrass is stuffed by Demetrius Hartsfield.
On third down, Skinner has ALL day and finds Williams in the end zone for the touchdown. No pressure whatsoever on that one, so you can’t expect the secondary to cover for that long.
End of the first quarter, Wake 21, Maryland 7.
7:11 p.m. — The 360 feed went out temporarily, and it picks up with Wake Forest at the Maryland 15. The defense just has no answer for the Wake offense in the early going.
A holding penalty will negate a Pendergrass run and move the Demon Deacons back to the Maryland 25.
Skinner hits Parker over the middle and down to the Maryland 10, setting up 2nd-and-6.
7:07 p.m. — On first down, the Terps pressure Skinner, but the senior is able to avoid the sack and throws it away.
On 2nd-and-10 from their own 34, Skinner finds Williams who is brought down by Antwine Perez. They will measure for the first down after Williams grabs his third ball of the game.
7:04 p.m. — Smith gets it again (Why would you kick to him?!) and is leveled at the 23-yard line.
Turner works from the shotgun and will keep it but picks up minimal yardage. Maybe three.
On second down, Caleb Porzel gets the carry and is stopped in his tracks.
On 3rd-and-long, Turner throws underneath to Smith, but the speedy receiver is unable to pick up the first. Three and out.
If the defense doesn’t have a good series here, it might be a long night.
6:59 p.m. — On first down, Pendergrass takes the carry again and gets to the Terps’ 4. Maryland needs to hold Wake to three.
Well, so much for that. Brown runs right and is into the end zone for another Deacons’ touchdown.
Jimmy Newman’s point after is good, and Wake leads 14-7 with 5:20 remaining in the first.
6:57 p.m. — Wujciak stuffs Adams on first down again.
On second down, Skinner throws underneath to Williams. Cam Chisholm was barely able to trip him up.
Brandon Pendergrass then picks up the first down, running the ball to the Maryland 7.
6:55 p.m. — Working from the gun again, Skinner hits Marshall Williams for another first down. Secondary is playing soft as Skinner is throwing quick passes.
Alex Wujciak then stuffs Adams on first down. The linebacker leads the team in tackles with 52 entering the game.
However, Adams breaks free running right and moves all the way down to the Terps’ 20. The Terps have no answer on defense so far.
6:54 p.m. — Skinner throws to tight end Andrew Parker on a quick hitch, and he picks up another first.
Defense needs to buckle down.
6:53 p.m. — Ferrara’s kickoff is short but Devon Brown is not able to take advantage as the Terps’ coverage unit stops him at the 20.
Skinner works from the shotgun and hits Rinfrette in the flat for a gain of 10 and a first down.
6:49 p.m. — Meggett is stopped at the 2 on first down trying to run off the left guard.
Matt Furstenburg then drops one in the end zone. Turner hung it up there a bit, but the tight end still needs to bring that one in.
On third goal, Meggett is stuffed at the one. Maryland will go for it.
Meggett runs left again on fourth down and plows his way into the endzone. Nick Ferrara’s extra point is good, and we’re tied at 7.
Huge answer by the Terps after Smith sets them up with a spectacular return.
6:46 p.m. — Torrey Smith with a HUGE return for the Terps all the way inside the 20-yard line. The Terps begin at the Wake 15 and hand it off to Meggett who runs left through a massive hole.
First-and-goal for the Terps at the 5-yard line.
6:45 p.m. — This is my first experience watching a game on ESPN360. Definitely some awkward silence during the breaks with no commercials.
You would think ESPN would want to maximize profits by including a commercial or two.
6:44 p.m. — The extra point is good, and Wake Forest leads, 7-0, early in the first quarter.
Let’s see how Chris Turner and the Maryland offense responds.
6:43 p.m. — Devon Brown runs to the outside for a nice gain. Maryland cannot stop the stretch plays.
And on second down, Josh Adams runs outside to the right and takes it all the way for a 48-yard score.
Not a good start for Don Brown’s defense.
The officials will review the play to see if Adams stepped out of bounds. The call is confirmed.
6:40 p.m. — Wake Forest returns to their own 33 to begin the game, and we’ll get our first look at Riley Skinner and the Wake offense.
On first down, Josh Adams ran for six yards and was then stuffed on second down by Adrien Moten.
On 3rd-and-2, fullback Mike Rinfrette runs straight ahead for the first down.
6:36 p.m. — Maryland will need a big performance out of Paul Pinegar as he starts in place of left tackle Bruce Campbell. The young offensive line will need to open up holes for Davin Meggett and Gary Douglas. Of course, the Terps are without all-conference back Da’Rel Scott who suffered a broken wrist last week.
6:33 p.m. — Rich in Westminster, I apologize for my delay in getting the live blog up. Enjoy the game, buddy.
6:30 p.m. — I’m live from Glenn Clark’s casa to catch the Maryland-Wake Forest game. I cannot get ESPN360 through my internet service provider at home, so Glenn has graciously opened his door—and offered a cold beverage or two—for tonight’s webcast. Comcast SportsNet will air tonight’s game at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The Terps (2-3, 1-0 in the ACC) hope to build on the badly-needed 24-21 victory they earned last week against Clemson. A victory in Winston-Salem would set up the schedule very nicely for the Terps leading up to the bye in three weeks. Maryland’s next two games come against beatable opponents, Virginia and Duke.
