DURHAM -- Before the season kicked off, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said his team should be a bowl team this year, something the Blue Devils haven't been since 1994.

Saturday at wet Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils took a significant step in that direction by doing something else they hadn't done since 1994.

The Blue Devils held off Maryland 17-13 for their second consecutive ACC victory, the first time that's happened since they won three straight 15 years ago. The victory also snapped Duke's five-game slide in the series, marking the Blue Devils' first victory over the Terrapins since 1999.

The most recent time Duke beat Maryland in Durham? 1994.

"Winning two ACC games in a row, that's really big for this program," Duke tight end Brandon King said. "It's a big step forward."

Duke (4-3, 2-1 ACC) is tied with three other teams in the loss column for first place in the Coastal Division. Duke must go at least 3-2 the rest of the way to be considered for a bowl.

"I want to congratulate our football team -- that's so cool," Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said after his team downed Pfeiffer 128-70 in an exhibition game Saturday night. "I'm really happy for them."

-- BRYAN STRICKLAND