Hot start propels Maryland football to 31-9 win over Michigan State

Maryland football fell behind by two scores in each of its past two games. But on the road in their Big Ten opener, the Terps came out of the gates blazing.

They dominated the early stages of the game, scoring the game’s first 21 points — nabbing three takeaways in the process. Maryland (4-0) rode that lead to a 31-9 win over Michigan State (2-2) in East Lansing on Saturday — their first road win over the Spartans since 1950.

The Terps allowed the Spartans to rack up more offensive yards than coach Michael Locksley would have liked, but their defense held firm when it mattered most. Four of five turnovers they forced set up their offense in opposing territory, and they delivered a crucial goal-line stand in the second quarter.

Maryland’s offense did not deliver consistent firepower, but it did enough to maintain a comfortable lead. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa finished with season-lows in passing yards and completion percentage, while the team leaders in rush attempts — Roman Hemby and Antwain Littleton II — both averaged under four yards per carry. 

“The best part about this is that the locker room was still disappointed that we didn’t finish the way we like to,” Locksley said. “There’s some things that we can get cleaned up … it’s always great to clean it up with a win.”

The Terps’ defense got right to work before their offense even took the field. Safety Beau Brade jumped a crosser on the Spartans’ first drive, stopping his unit from allowing an opening touchdown in their third-straight game. 

An efficient nine-play drive on the ensuing possession was topped off by a Maryland touchdown courtesy of some razzle-dazzle. Linebacker Sean Greeley lined up as a fullback in a pistol formation, sprinted into the flat and a great Tagovailoa fake drew the defense away from him. The score put the Terps ahead 7-0 against a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent for the first time since Week 7 of last season.

“They told me that was a play going into this weekend,” Greeley said. “Called my name and, you know, that was a big surprise for me.”

Michigan State proved early it could move the ball against Maryland. Its second drive solidified that fact — the Spartans took just seven plays to set up goal-to-go after a Caleb Wheatland sack put them in second-and-20 from their own 20-yard line.

But the Terps’ defense held when it mattered most. On fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Fa’Najae Gotay created interior penetration to force Michigan State running back Nate Carter outside. Brade converted the tackle and the seven-point lead stood.

“We gave up some yards today,” Locksley said. “But as we got down to [the red zone] we buckled down.”

Maryland kept its foot on the gas pedal from that point. The Terps went 95 yards in 11 plays for a long touchdown drive, topped off by a Tagovailoa connection to Tyrese Chambers in the corner of the endzone to double their lead.

Running back Colby McDonald spearheaded that drive with back-to-back explosive runs. On a day where Hemby couldn’t get anything going — finishing with 12 yards on 10 carries — McDonald provided a spark out of the backfield, something Maryland needed against a physical Spartans front.

Defensive lineman Donnell Brown continued his turnover streak on Michigan State’s next possession, recovering a Carter fumble that Greeley forced. Brown recorded interceptions against Charlotte and Virginia to prove himself as a key contributor early this season.

“He’s one of those guys that’s always around the ball,” Locksley said. “He’s an athletic big guy, so we utilize him in a lot of different ways … obviously he has a knack for the ball.”

Tagovailoa topped off a five-play, 32-yard drive by sneaking in another touchdown. The Spartans were able to sustain drives for the rest of the half after that, running 23 plays to the Terps’ four.

But Michigan State failed to do much of anything with the increased possession time. Both of the Spartans’ ensuing drives before halftime ended in field goal attempts — with only one try making it through the uprights. Maryland led 21-3 entering the locker room.

Neither side garnered much in the second half. Michigan State found the endzone midway through the third quarter on a nine-yard pass, but failed to convert a two-point try and the Terps’ lead stayed in double-digits.

Tarheeb Still prevented the Spartans from building late momentum, nabbing a pass inside the red zone. It was the cornerback’s third interception in two games after picking off just one pass in 12 games last season.

A late Octavian Smith Jr. 31-yard touchdown solidified Maryland’s resounding victory.