COLLEGE PARK, Md., Nov. 30 (UPI) -- A week after a disappointing loss, 23rd-ranked Maryland grabbed a berth in the Peach Bowl Saturday with a 32-14 victory over Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference finale for both schools.
Scott McBrien passed for 275 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Terrapins (10-3, 6-2) to their 10th win, marking the first time in the 110-year history of the school that Maryland has won 10 or more games in consecutive seasons.
Maryland's Ralph Friedgen improved to 20-5 and broke the record for wins by an ACC coach in his second year. Clemson's Ken Hatfield posted a 19-4-1 record in 1990-91.
Friedgen succeeded in getting his players emotionally ready for Wake Forest after a 48-13 loss last week at Virginia ruined their chance of clinching second place in the ACC and securing a berth in the Gator Bowl.
It was an especially painful loss because Maryland learned at halftime that North Carolina State, which accepted the Gator Bowl berth, had beaten Florida State. That meant that a victory over Virginia would have given the Terrapins a share of the ACC title and kept them in contention for a BCS bowl berth.
But Maryland took out its anger on the Demon Deacons, building a 27-0 halftime lead. McBrien hit running back Chris Downs with a 38-yard touchdown and connected with Rich Parson on an 11-yard scoring play in a 24-point second quarter.
James Lynch also scored on a one-yard run and Nick Novak kicked three field goals for the Terrapins.
The loss likely cost Wake Forest (6-6, 3-5) a bowl berth. The Demon Deacons finished 6-5 with a 3-5 conference mark last year and did not receive a bowl bid.
Tarence Williams rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns for Wake Forest.
The Peach Bowl, played on New Year's Eve, will have a 10-win team for the first time in its 35-year history.
