COLLEGE PARK, Md. — As Seneca Valley graduate C.J. Brown lay motionless on the ground, it seemed highly possible that another promising season for Maryland would be endangered by quarterback injuries.

Tackled hard and high during the third quarter of Saturday’s game against Iowa, Brown’s status appeared shaky as he was led off the field.

On a day of comebacks for Maryland, the sixth-year senior ultimately returned and the Terrapins beat the Hawkeyes 38-31, bouncing back from an early 14-point deficit to earn their first Big Ten home victory.

“I’m just so proud of these kids in terms of how they conduct themselves, how they handle themselves, how they never say die,” coach Randy Edsall said. “They just keep fighting and keep battling.”

Especially Brown, who previously endured shoulder and knee injuries during his lengthy college career. Two years ago, he was one of four quarterbacks lost during a season in which the Terrapins dropped their final six games after a 4-2 start.

This time, it was a bruised back muscle that took Brown out of the game in the third quarter.

“It definitely scared me. Just the whole right side of my back just tightened up, locked up,” he said.

Backup Caleb Rowe wasn’t available after tearing his left ACL in practice on Tuesday — an injury announced by Maryland on Saturday.

Third-stringer Perry Hills replaced Brown and threw a 53-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs for a 24-14 lead, but the Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1) answered with a 51-yard drive in which Mark Weisman ran for 38 yards before bulling in from the 2.

Minutes later, Will Likely intercepted a Jake Rudock pass and took it 45 yards into the end zone with 12:29 to go.

Brown returned with 8:37 remaining and directed a 54-yard drive that produced Wes Brown’s second 1-yard touchdown run with 4:58 left, giving Maryland (5-2, 2-1) a secure 38-21 advantage.

C.J. Brown went 12 for 23 for 120 yards and two interceptions. He also ran for 99 yards on 21 carries.