By Eric Avissar, sports staff writer

For the first time since 2007, Virginia will be heading to a bowl game. After quickly killing the buzz of Maryland’s senior day by scoring a touchdown in the first 20 seconds, the Cavaliers stampeded the Terrapins for a 31-13 victory. The sixth win for the Cavaliers came after falling behind 13-7, then responding with 24 unanswered points.

Running back Perry Jones led the Wahoos with 139 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including the 47-yarder on the game’s opening drive. Along with the success of Jones, quarterback Michael Rocco put on arguably the most impressive performance of his career, throwing for over 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Maryland has continued to plunge toward rock-bottom under new head coach Randy Edsall, as the Terrapins lost their fifth consecutive game to eliminate any hopes of reaching a bowl.

On Thursday, the Florida State Seminoles also ensured they will be playing in a bowl game for the 30th consecutive year, easily beating Boston College 38-7. Quarterback EJ Manuel scored a touchdown through the air and with his legs, completing 12 of 16 passes. The Seminoles stuck to the ground game for the most part, as even Manuel ran the ball as many times as he threw it. Scoring three rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, FSU was able to cruise through the second half after building a 28-0 halftime lead.

While the Seminoles maintained their impressive bowl appearance streak, another postseason streak came to an end. Though there was little doubt it was going to happen after such an abysmal start to the season, Boston College will not play in a bowl game for the first time in 12 years.

Following a humiliating 34-0 trouncing at the hands of Florida St. last week, NC State wanted to give their fans something to cheer for in their first game at home in nearly a month. Facing in-state rivals North Carolina, the Wolfpack did just that, winning 13-0. Quarterback Mike Glennon threw the only touchdown of the game, as NC State shut out UNC for the first time since 1960.

Relying on freshman star running back Giovani Bernard, the Tar Heel offense struggled throughout the day as quarterback Bryn Renner was knocked out of the game in the third quarter. The Wolfpack enjoyed their best defensive performance of the season by far, holding UNC to only three yards rushing while also tallying four sacks.

Although whether or not they will allowed to play in a bowl game remains to be seen, the Miami Hurricanes took one step closer towards reaching the postseason on Saturday. Quarterback Jacory Harris threw three touchdowns, all two yards or shorter, in the first half to ensure a 49-14 victory over Duke. Running back Lamar Miller went over 1,000 yards rushing for the season, gaining 147 yards while adding in two touchdowns.

Duke quarterback Sean Renfree got the Blue Devils within two touchdowns of the Canes on two separate occasions, throwing for a touchdown in the first half, and running for one in the second, but his efforts were not nearly enough on the road. With the loss, Duke must win their remaining three games in order to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1993.

As the only ACC team playing out of the conference, Wake Forest had an opportunity to become bowl eligible with a win against visiting Notre Dame. Instead, the Deacs fell flat when it mattered most, failing to score in the second half, losing 24-17. The hosts were not without chances to score late in the game, twice having the ball inside the Notre Dame 10-yard line, squandering both opportunities.