Already invited to the Sugar Bowl, the Cavaliers attempted to make the best of the season, and managed a 24-10 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels, but against the Maryland, the Cavaliers found themselves in another struggle, with both teams alternating the lead. Late in the game, Moore ran the ball and was tackled short of the Maryland goal line. In the resulting turmoil, a Maryland defender stepped upon the thumb of Moore's throwing hand, forcing it backwards, and dislocating (referred to as a "bad flipper") it for the rest of the season. Without Shawn Moore, the Virginia offense sputtered immediately, and Maryland took the win. The following week, Virginia Tech picked apart Virginia's inexperienced back-up quarterback, Matt Blundin, and the Cavaliers 7-0 start ended in an 8-3 showing.