Charlotte lost their starting safety Tank Robinson early in the first quarter with a left leg injury. The Terrapins took advantage, scoring in the first 1:50 of the game as Tagovailoa connected with Jacob Copeland for a 39 yard touchdown. Despite the Terps hot start, Charlotte managed to string together a drive of their own, consisting of three fourth down conversions capped off by a passing touchdown from Williams to WR Grant DuBose.
Maryland answered quickly due to a regrettable onside kick decision by Charlotte HC Will Healy. The rest of the first half could only be described as an offensive spectacle.