The Terrapins got on the board in the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns in a triumphant period that saw them take a 14-7 lead.
Maryland opened the quarter in the red zone on third-and-five, and C.J. Brown found Nigel King over the middle for what looked to be a first down. Kendall Fuller stripped the ball out of the receiver's hand, and the Hokies recovered at their own ten.
On the first play of the next drive, Logan Thomas's pass was tipped by Marcus Whitfield right through the hands of Isaac Goins, who had the opportunity for a huge interception. Maryland forced a Virginia Tech punt after another fantastic play by Matt Robinson in coverage, and received the ball near midfield.
A personal foul on Amba Etta-Tawo set the Terps back 15 yards, and Maryland was forced to punt. Virginia Tech's next drive ended on yet another great play by Matt Robinson in coverage, and the Hokies were forced to punt. Will Likely returned it 37 yards, giving Maryland the ball near midfield.
On the very next play, C.J. Brown threw a very poor deep ball in the direction of Malcolm Culmer, and Brandon Facyson cut across for the easy interception. Maryland's defense forced another three-and-out, and Will Likely, likely knowing that the Terrapin offense would not be able to score, took the punt return 63 yards to the end zone for the game-tying touchdown.
Maryland's defense came up big again on the next drive, forcing a punt with two straight stops near the first down line. On the second play of their next drive, Brandon Ross was freed on a huge block by Kenneth Goins for a 30-yard gain. On third-and-eight, Brown took it up the middle for an 18-yard gain, moving the Terps into Virginia Tech territory. On the next play, Brown ran for 11 yards, giving Maryland another first down. The drive ended on a punt after Brown fumbled the ball for a big loss, and Virginia Tech took over on the 20.
On the second play of the Hokies' next drive, Quinton Jefferson broke through to sack Logan Thomas, making it third-and-long. Marcus Whitfield stopped the halfback draw on the next play, giving the Terps one last chance before the half, with the ball near midfield.
Brown completed the first pass of the drive to Amba Etta-Tawo for 17 yards, and a roughing the passer called moved them near the red zone. Brown ran for 16 yards on the next play, and after a spike and an eight-yard run he was able to punch it in from one-yard out to take the lead.