Sophomore linebacker Erin Henderson watched as brother E.J. picked off a pass and returned it for a touchdown Oct. 8. The two-time All-American linebacker and former Terrapin, now playing for the Minnesota Vikings, intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Jon Kitna in the fourth quarter and ran the ball back 45 yards to the end zone.

Six days later, Erin got into the interception act just like E.J., picking off Virginia’s Jameel Sewell and scoring the touchdown that ended up sealing the Terps’ comeback victory. After the game, Erin wasn’t afraid to admit how his brother’s performance motivated him.

“I had to match him back. Go play for play. We talk to each other all the time about going play for play, see who can make the most big plays,” he said. “He had a big-time play last week and they came out with a ‘W.’ I just wanted to do the same thing.”

The same thing is right. Both brothers’ interceptions happened in the fourth quarter, and both were returned 45 yards. Most importantly, the interceptions keyed rivalry wins for the Vikings and Terps.

Yet it was more than just a coincidence that Erin looked a little like his big brother, making 10 tackles as part of a defense that all but shut Virginia down in the second half. E.J. was in attendance Saturday in Charlottesville, Va., and watched the Terps’ practice Thursday while the Vikings enjoyed a bye week.

In that time, E.J. – who by most accounts is having a breakout season in his fourth year in the NFL – was able to offer some advice to his younger brother. Erin said E.J. told him to find the ball and make plays when they come. He listened, and the highlight reel is a testament to that.

With 8:09 left in the fourth quarter, Erin stepped in front of Cavalier tight end Jonathan Stupar and nabbed the spiraling ball out of the air. Seconds later, he had scored a touchdown and sucked the rest of the energy out of the fans in Scott Stadium.

“I was able to get a break on the ball and make a play,” Erin said. “From there, I saw the end zone, and I just had to get to it. Christian Varner came up and made a big block for me on the quarterback and really sprung me into the end zone. It’s a matter of just running ’till I got there.”

The play symbolized the peak of Erin’s young career, as he missed his redshirt freshman season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and has fought off nagging injuries this year.

Coach Ralph Friedgen said the sophomore is still learning and made some mistakes stemming from immaturity against the Cavaliers. But he stressed that Erin’s clutch play was huge for a defense that has been trying to force more turnovers.

“We got a turnover [against Georgia Tech] and it helped us. And when Erin got the interception … that was nice,” Friedgen said. “To score on defense was a tremendous lift.”

On a personal level, Erin got a lift from E.J. being at the stadium. Erin said his brother had never seen him play a college game in person before. In addition to the importance of the Terps’ first win in Charlottesville since 1990 and how the victory influences the rest of the season, Erin was open and willing to talk about his brother after the game.

Clearly, motivation came from several places.

“I really wanted to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities,” Erin said.

Whereas E.J. is admittedly quiet and reserved, Erin held court with reporters outside the Terps’ locker room longer than any other player. His stat line included 10 tackles, but everybody wanted to talk about the interception.

It was the play that defined the defense’s second half turnaround and, so far, stands as the signature moment of Erin’s career.

“It was just really exciting,” Erin said. “I’ve been waiting for a really long time to play D-I football. It’s a great feeling for me.”

TERP NOTE: Saturday’s game against N.C. State is at noon and will be televised on Lincoln Financial Sports/Raycom. The Oct. 28 game against Florida State will be televised on either ABC at 3:30 p.m., ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. or ESPN2 at 7:45 p.m.

Contact reporter Stephen Whyno at whynodbk@gmail.com.