A Bob Smith punt return for 63 yards set up a
Steve Mike-Mayer field goal from 28 yards out to give Maryland a 3–0 lead in the first half. Tennessee attempted to tie the game with eight minutes remaining on a field goal by Ricky Townsend, but a juggled snap by QB
Condredge Holloway (later knocked out of the game) led to a blocked kick by
Randy White. On a Maryland punt, center Marion Koprowski's snap went over Phil Wangenheim, falling at the Tennessee 7 where the Vols recovered the ball. On third down, backup quarterback Randy Wallace threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to
Larry Seivers with 2:38 remaining to give the Vols the 7–3 lead. Maryland drove down the field, reaching the Tennessee 20 with less than a minute to go after Frank Russell caught an option pass from Louis Carter. With nine seconds to go, Ernie Ward intercepted
Bob Avellini's pass at the two yard line to seal the game. Maryland won the first down total (16–15), the passing total (158–65), but they were outrushed by Tennessee (173–108) and they gave up the ball five times, including three fumbles, while the Vols gave up the ball just twice. ==Aftermath==