After an action-packed ending to the first half, Maryland and North Carolina have picked up where they left off, with a third quarter where the two teams combined for 31 points. The Tar Heels got the better of the quarter, and enter the fourth leading 45-35/
Stefon Diggs returned the opening kick-off of the half 99 yards for a score, and Maryland continued their unprecedented assault on the scoreboard. That made it three plays in a row with Maryland touchdowns, and the score 35-21.
North Carolina responded, as with the second play on their next drive Bryn Renner found Quinshad Davis for a 50-yard score, for the fourth touchdown in 67 seconds of game-time.
After a three-and-out for the Terps, the Tar Heels got the ball back and started out well, with an 11-yard run by Giovani Bernard and a 15-personal foul penalty on Eric Franklin. Renner completed a 20-yard pass to Davis, and the ball came out near his contact with the ground, with Maryland recovering. However, the play was reviewed, and the officials ruled Carolina ball at the ten yard line. After a false start penalty, Renner found Erik Highsmith in the corner for a 15-yard score (the play was also upheld after a review). After the extra point, it was 35-35, with five touchdowns in 3:11 of gameplay.
North Carolina took advantage of a poor Nate Renfro punt on the next drive, starting out on the Terps' 31. A 21-yard pass to Eric Ebron put the Tar Heels within goal territory, but Maryland's defense stepped up and force a field goal attempt, notably consecutive deflected passes by Cole Farrand and Marcus Whitfield. Thomas Moore hit the 22-yarder, giving UNC a 38-35 lead.
After another poor Renfro punt on Maryland's next drive, North Carolina quickly moved towards the red zone, and after a ten-yard touchdown pass to Davis was overturned, Bernard ran it in from one-yard out for a 45-35 lead.