Taulia Tagovailoa stepped back in the pocket and looked to his right to find Octavian Smith Jr., who barreled 33-yards downfield for a touchdown. Maryland’s lead inflated to 22 points with three minutes left in the game, killing any chances for the Spartans to come back.
Coming off three out-of-conference wins against Towson, Charlotte and Virginia, the undefeated Maryland Terrapins traveled to East Lansing on Saturday to face the 2-1 Michigan State Spartans.
Before entering Big Ten play this weekend, Michigan State won its first two games against Central Michigan and Richmond but lost its third game to Washington, 41-7.
Maryland kicked off conference play with a win, beating Michigan State, 31-9.
“Definitely proud of the team, we’re happy to be 4-0,” head coach Mike Locksley said during his post-game presser. “Any time you come up with turnovers like we did today, it really helps you on the offensive side of the ball.”
Michigan State started with the ball. Quarterback Noah Kim threw a series of completions to get the Spartans just over the 50-yard line before throwing an interception to defensive back Beau Brade inside the 30.
Following the pick, Maryland made quick work of its first drive. In just a few snaps, a 17-yard pass landed wide receiver Tai Felton on the 1-yard line. Senior linebacker Sean Greeley was put in at fullback, catching a short pass from QB Taulia Tagovailoa in the endzone.
“They told me that was the play going into this weekend, so I was prepared, but it was just a time and place opportunity” Greeley said. “We were close to the goal line and they called my name, so it was a good surprise for me.”
The Spartans made a great effort to respond on their second drive, getting the ball up to Maryland’s 1-yard line. Brade and LB Fa’Najae Gotay made a crucial stop on running back Nate Carter, forcing MSU to turn the ball over on downs.
Maryland went into the second quarter up 7-0 with possession on its own 5-yard line.
After a handful of first-downs, RB Colby McDonald rushed for 25 yards to Michigan State’s 16-yard line. Tagovailoa ended the drive by finding WR Tyrese Chambers in the endzone to make it a two-possession game. The catch marked Chambers’ first touchdown as a Terp.
Defensive lineman Donnell Brown continued to be a playmaker this game by forcing a fumble on Nate Carter and recovering the ball at the Spartan’s 32-yard line. It was only Michigan State’s second play of the quarter.
“As I joke with him, he’s dropping into space, getting interceptions and doing everything other than getting sacks,” Locksley said regarding Brown. “I’d love to see him get after the quarterback a little bit, but he’s one of those guys that’s always around the ball.”
The Terps took advantage of the turnover. In just five snaps, Tagovailoa managed a 1-yard rush to the endzone to notch his third touchdown.
Michigan State kicker Jonathan Kim made one of his two field goal attempts before going into the second half, bringing the score to 21-3, Maryland.
Kim’s first pass of the third quarter was intercepted by DB Glendon Miller who took the ball to MSU’s 41-yard line. Maryland nearly had its third touchdown off of a Spartan turnover, but Tagovailoa’s pass in the endzone was intercepted by Spartan DB Angelo Grose.
Regaining control of the ball, Michigan State tacked on its first touchdown of the game with just under four minutes left on the clock. Kim threw a 9-yard pass to WR Tyrell Henry but a failed two-point conversion attempt afterwards kept the Terps ahead by 12 points.
Maryland went scoreless in the third but maintained its lead.
The Terps recovered their momentum on both sides of the ball in the final quarter. Kicker Jack Howes scored a field goal for Maryland early on, and DB Tarheeb Still made an interception to keep Michigan State from reaching the end zone with six minutes left to play.
“[The turnovers] helped us a lot because they gave us more opportunities to go score,” Tai Felton said post-game. “Coach emphasized that when defense touches the ball, offense has to make a play after that.”
Still’s turnover would turn into a Maryland touchdown. Tagovailoa threw a 2-yard pass to WR Octavian Smith Jr. who remained untouched for a 33-yard run to the endzone.
Howes’ extra-point attempt was good, and with Michigan State unable to respond in the final three minutes, Maryland finished up 31-9 to mark its first win in the Big Ten and first win on the road.
\
