Bowling Green and Maryland both entered their 2018 kickoff games as double-digit underdogs. Despite this status, the Falcons and the Terrapins managed to strike the iron in the opening minutes and jump out to promising leads.
In the Pacific Northwest, Bowling Green forced two three-and-outs on the Oregon offense and converted those stops into a 10-0 first quarter advantage. Meanwhile at FedExField, Maryland caught Texas sleepwalking through much of the first half, jumping out to a 24-7 lead before the Longhorns’ offense finally regrouped.
Despite Oregon and Texas comebacks, only one team would hang onto its lead.