University of Miami football fans might not be satisfied with a one-point victory over Wake Forest, but there was one person who has a different viewpoint.

``I'm kinda proud of this football team,'' UM coach Randy Shannon said the day after Miami's 28-27 victory over Wake Forest. ``They responded from a tough situation when they were 17 points down. They responded, they didn't panic.''

The comeback victory included the Canes rallying for 14 points in the fourth quarter while holding Wake Forest scoreless.

``That shows you how far we have come as a football team,'' Shannon said of the 6-2 Canes. ``It shows you what kind of character this football team has.''

The victory improved the Canes modestly in the polls. UM went from 18th to 16th in the AP poll and from 18th to 17th in the USA Today Coaches poll.

In the race to make the ACC title game, UM reamains very much a long shot.

The Canes are tied for third in the Coastal Division at 3-2 with Virginia Tech, which beat Miami head to head. Georgia Tech (5-1), which Miami beat, is in first place, and surprising Duke (3-1), which Miami plays on Nov. 21, is second.

Wake Forest gave Miami everything it could handle.

``A lot of things went bad,'' Shannon said. ``[Wake Forest] did a great job of blitzing us and keeping us off-balance with the short passing game. But when we had the opportunities late in the game with the turnovers, I think it was big to help us win this game.''

The biggest turnover was a fumble on an attempted punt catch by Wake's Devon Brown that Sam Shields recovered and gave the Canes possession at the Demon Deacons' 2, and on the next play, Jacory Harris threw to Trevaris Johnson -- who was named UM's offensive MVP for his TD catch and key blocking -- to reduce the deficit to 27-21. A 13-yard Harris-to-Travis Benjamin pass provided the game-winning TD.

On that final drive, despite having a reasonable amount of time to work with, Miami persistently -- almost stubbornly -- kept going deep against the Dempn Deacons' defense.

Shannon explained: ``What they were doing is a lot of blitzing. It wasn't a zone blitz, it was a man blitz. We were trying to take advantage of their blitz package -- trying to protect [the quarterback] and get a one-on-one situation.''

Although the UM defense was manhandled for 555 yards, it stiffened in the second half.

``Yeah , we gave up a lot of yards, but only seven points [in the second half],'' Shannon said. ``It gave us an opportunity to come back and win the game, which we did. Am I disappointed about the yards? Yes, but I'm also proud how those guys kept playing''

UM, which has been plagued by injuries this season, seemed to not suffer any serious ones against Wake.

Safety Vaughn Telemaque left with a leg injury, but returned to play.

Shannon said the Canes need to start concentrating on the upcoming game against Virginia (3-5 overall, 2-3 ACC) on Saturday at Land Shark Stadium. The fact that it is homecoming week will not distract his players, Shannon promises.

While the rest of the campus might be partying, Shannon's Canes apparently will be sweating.

``It's more of a campus deal,'' Shannon said of homecoming. ``They don't come over to the football practice and come onto the football field. They'll have their parade, but we'll be in practice. They'll' have their ceremonies, but we'll be in practice. Everything they do, we'll be in practice.

``It kind of washes itself away, but it's great for the campus.''