COLLEGE FOOTBALL : Virginia Avoids Costly Upset, 21-18 : ACC: Cavaliers use running of Barber and Brooks to rally for a victory over Maryland and clinch a tie for title.

The Virginia Cavaliers talked all week about how they wouldn’t suffer a letdown after their emotional upset of Florida State.

They apparently couldn’t convince themselves.

With a share of the Atlantic Coast Conference title on the line, No. 14 Virginia quickly fell behind Maryland, 11-0, after only eight minutes had elapsed.

The Cavaliers finally regrouped, however, and went on to squeeze out a 21-18 victory Saturday.

“We didn’t really come out fired up in the first half,” punter Will Brice said. “Sometimes we think we’re going to have the game won, but you have to play. We knew what was on the line, so we came out and played hard in the second half.”

Tiki Barber ran for 116 yards and backup Kevin Brooks had 103 for the Cavaliers, who reeled off 21 consecutive points en route to their fourth victory in a row over Maryland, 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the ACC.

The duo combined for 69 rushing yards in the first half and totaled 150 after halftime.

Virginia (8-3, 7-1) ends the regular season next Saturday with a non-league game against Virginia Tech.

The Cavaliers will share the ACC title with Florida State if the Seminoles defeat Maryland next week.

“Our players, coaches and staff feel very special about today’s victory,” Coach George Welsh said. “Championships are hard to come by.”

It is Virginia’s second ACC football title. The Cavaliers shared the crown in 1989 with Duke.