Maryland football defeated Virginia, 27-13, on Sept. 14 thanks to a dominant second half after a slow start on offense and an end-of-half breakdown on defense.

The win against the Cavaliers was not pretty, but it showed the resiliency of the Terps, who bounced back from a disappointing 27-24 loss to Michigan State a week earlier.

Maryland will now look to string together wins as it faces Villanova on Sept. 21 at noon. But first, here are three takeaways from the win against Virginia:

Maryland had a slow start.

The Terps finished the first quarter with only 47 total yards. They finished the first half with 141 total yards (46 rushing, 95 passing) and went to the locker room down 13-7.

Not only did Maryland struggle to find the end zone, junior kicker Jack Howes missed a 52-yard field goal with 1:59 remaining in the first quarter.

“I thought that Virginia came out and out-efforted us in the first half and that’s not anything that I’ve ever had to be concerned with our team,” head coach Michael Locksley told reporters after the game. “Then I thought the physicality in which they played, they kind of out-physicaled us as well.”

The Terps remained scoreless until 54 seconds remained in the half, when junior quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. found senior receiver Tai Felton for a 19-yard reception to give the Terps a 7-6 lead.

Edwards finished with 263 passing yards and two touchdowns on 28 of 43 throwing. Felton finished with nine receptions, 117 yards receiving and a touchdown, becoming the first Terp to ever finish with 100-plus receiving yards in three consecutive games to start a season.

“We’re putting a lot on him and I really like the way the kid’s playing,” Locksley said of Edwards. “I like the way that he continues to lead us on offense and he’s doing some special things for us.”

Maryland continues to force turnovers.

Maryland’s lack of offense in the first half was not due to a lack of opportunities.

The Terps’ defense forced two turnovers in the first quarter alone. Senior linebacker Donnell Brown recovered a fumble and senior safety Dante Trader Jr. hauled in an interception.

“Our defense had two big stops in the first half, which gave us a chance to stay in the game and stay in the fight,” Locksley said. “And I knew at some point the offense would get going and we did the second half.”

Maryland finished the game with four takeaways. Sophomore defensive back Jalen Huskey and senior defensive lineman Quashon Miller finished with an interception and fumble recovery, respectively.

Maryland’s defense stifled Virginia in the second half.

Not only did Maryland’s defense force four turnovers, the unit pitched a second-half shutout after allowing Virginia to march down the field in 49 seconds to end the half.

After giving up 288 yards and 13 points in the first half, the Terps held the Cavaliers to 82 yards in the second half.

Maryland, on the other hand, finished with 20 points and 250 yards in the second half alone. The Terps also dominated possession, 21:39 to 8:21.

“To allow no points on defense, [defensive coordinator Brian Williams] and the defensive staff did a good job of switching the looks up,” Locksley said. “I think we had only one penalty. Those penalties kept coming early in the first half, but those are the things we could control. And then to create four turnovers was huge for us.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics

By Jerry Ratcliffe

It has been a long time since Scott Stadium saw a sellout crowd, but that’s what Tony Elliott is hoping for tonight when his 2-0 Cavaliers host 1-1 Maryland (8 o’clock, ACC Network).

“Why not?” Elliott asked when the discussion turned toward anticipated attendance earlier this week. “This is the University of Virginia. We take pride in everything that we do. So man, let’s pack the stadium. We get to showcase who we are, what we’re about on a national stage for the entire country to see.”

Virginia is hoping to improve its record to 3-0 for only the fourth time this century. The last Cavaliers team to post that kind of start was Bronco Mendenhall’s 2019 team, which won the ACC’s Coastal Division and played in the Orange Bowl.

Certainly a large turnout could help UVA’s cause. Maryland was a slight favorite by the oddsmakers as of late Friday night.

“This is bigtime,” Elliott said. “This is where we all wanted to be. Now, we have to all do our part. We have to prepare well to come out and play well, but we’re going to need the fans. They’re supporting us doing their part creating an unbelievable environment, and man, I’m excited about the opportunity that we all have, fans, players, administration, university.”

Virginia is calling for a “Blue Out,” requesting fans show up in navy blue gear to match the Cavaliers all-blue uniforms. Maryland is expected to dress in all-white.

UVA’s 10-largest crowds, all sellouts of 61,000 or more, all came during Coach Al Groh’s era, the sellouts coming between 2003 and 2008.

“I’m trying to get our guys to understand (how this rivalry between UVA and Maryland was for decades until the Terps left the ACC for the Big 10), because it’s been a while since the rivalry was full-blown,” Elliott said. “I was reminded this week by a former player coming off the practice field of just how fierce this rivalry is to all of the Virginia faithful.

“We have a great opportunity to help this football team with the energy and passion because that’s what it’s all about. No better way than to be playing in front of your home crowd with a packed stadium.”

UVA-Maryland links:

Kam Robinson returns to practice, moving gingerly

Where is Chris Tyree? Virginia fans are asking

The Jerry & Jerry Show with Alvin Pearman

UVA’s Fields high in national rankings, big problem for defenses

UVA-Wake Forest recap, a first look at the Terps, plus more

A closer look at Saturday’s Virginia-Maryland matchup

Can Colandrea, UVA bounce back against Terps?

UVA Season Stats

Maryland Offense Season Stats

ACC Week 3 Scoreboard