BLACKSBURG, Va. — The Terrapins football team resurrected its season Saturday by going into packed Lane Stadium and topping a potent Virginia Tech squad in overtime, 27-24, to snap a three-game losing streak.

The victory also helped the Terps gain bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. Here are some thoughts:

1) WHOLE NEW C.J.

Quarterback C.J. Brown and was effective during the Terps’ 4-0 start, but in the team’s 63-0 loss to Florida State, he suffered a concussion and has struggled with various injuries and inefficiency since.

On Saturday, though, Brown said he was finally healthy and showed flashes of his early season form. The signal-caller’s play led to the Terps’ first victory since Oct. 12, and Brown’s first win as a starter since the 37-0 shellacking of West Virginia on Sept. 21. He even scrambled for the game-winning three-yard touchdown in overtime, which ended with his outstretched arm tapping the pylon.

After some early inconsistencies, Brown settled in against the Hokies. He was making plays with his feet, appeared poised in the pocket and the Terps offense finally looked like it had a rhythm.

Brown finished with 122 rushing yards and two touchdowns and had 135 passing yards with one score through the air.

Still, the veteran quarterback certainly wasn’t perfect. He threw an awful looking interception in the first half after a Will Likely punt return gave them great field position. Brown also had a couple fumbles and he completed only 48 percent of his passes.

But for the first time in about two months, Brown was making plays and leading a potent offense. He broke several runs for more than 10 yards, ran for a touchdown on a nifty quick-snap quarterback sneak near the end of the first half and he made two precise throws on a touchdown drive to open the third quarter.

The Terps saw improved quarterback play Saturday, and that gave them a chance to win. Then their quarterback made the plays down that ensured one. 

2) DEFENSE STAYS STINGY

For the third consecutive game, the Terps defense kept the team in a game despite periods of offensive ineptitude.

The Terps held the Hokies to 264 total yards of offense and forced them to convert just 4-of-16 third down opportunities. The Terps’ pass rush made the biggest impact as the team sacked Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas seven times.

Defensive end Andre Monroe led the way with three sacks and nine total tackles. Monroe’s final sack came in overtime on a third and goal, which forced the Hokies to kick a field goal and set up Brown’s heroics.

The Terps defense has been stout in recent weeks even while dealing with a slew of injuries. The unit is giving them a chance to win nearly every week, and today they finally got some help.

3) LIKELY’S SPARK

When the Terps offense couldn’t move the ball well early, it was cornerback Will Likely who gave the Terps a boost and got them on the board. With the Terps trailing 7-0, Likely returned a punt 63-yards for a touchdown to tie the score.

What’s more, it was Likely who forced that punt by breaking up Logan Thomas’ third-down pass on the previous play.

In addition to that sequence, Likely had a 38-yard punt return and made four tackles.

Coach Randy Edsall spent a chunk of his press conference Tuesday lauding Likely for his work ethic and maturity. Against the Hokies, the shifty freshman cornerback proved worthy of that praise.

4) WHAT IT MEANS

After an abysmal showing in a 20-3 loss at home last week to Syracuse, the Terps were searching for answers. How could they start games with more energy? What could they do to score some points?

Today, the team uncovered some answers. They used Brown’s legs on offense and a potent pass rush on defense to cause Virginia Tech fits. And after the game, Edsall and his players mentioned that the team raised its enthusiasm for the contest.

And now the Terps are bowl eligible for the first time in Edsall’s tenure. So what does this game really mean? It shows that the program is improving, and provides tangible results to back it up.