2009 Week 8

COLLEGE PARK, MD - In the 2008 ACC Championship Game, Virginia Tech came in ranked #1 in the nation and only needed to defeat Maryland to play for the National Championship. After losing 52-7, some wondered if the Hokies would ever recover.

Fast forward to 11 months later. Virginia Tech has recovered beautifully, ranked #3 and unbeaten. They are traveling to College Park to right a wrong. And the same thing is at stake. Win or forget about those National Title dreams. The one thing that they didn't count on was that Maryland had nothing to lose, having already lost 2 games to eliminate themselves from any National Title consideration. Even Maryland's ACC Title hopes are out of their control. Only one goal was left. Ruin Virginia Tech's perfect season...again.

The Terps (5-2, 3-1) dominated the first half behind the legs of Da'Rel Scott and QB Josh Portis. Portis' newfound inability to throw to the right colored jersey made the Maryland rushing attack all the more crucial. Three first half interceptions by Portis were the only thing that kept Virginia Tech (7-1, 3-1) in contention by halftime, down 21-7.

The Hokies came out hot in the 2nd half, scoring on a long drive capped by a 21 yard TD pass to cut the lead in half, 21-14. A quick stop was followed up with a 73 TD yard strike. But Maryland blocked the extra point and scored the next 10 points to end the 3rd quarter up 31-20.

Virginia Tech managed to cut the lead to 3 but went 3 and out with under 3 minutes to go and were forced to punt because they were backed up inside their own 20. Scott and backup HB Derrick Leslie ran for 2 quick first downs and Maryland had held off Virginia Tech and handed the #3 Hokies their first loss of 2009.

Next week Maryland travels to Tallahassee to take on 7-0 Florida State.