No. 12 MSU (8-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) rebounded from last week’s disappointing loss to knock off Maryland (6-4 overall, 3-3 Big Ten), 37-15, from Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium on Saturday night.
The Spartans were led by a stout defensive performance, holding the Terrapins to only 252 total yards and 11 first downs. MSU also forced four turnovers, including a defensive touchdown by junior strong safety RJ Williamson.
There wasn’t much scoring early on in Saturday’s matchup, with MSU using three field goals to open up the game. Sophomore kicker Michael Geiger converted on two field goals — 22 and 34-yards — in the first quarter and one field goal — 35-yards — in the second quarter to give MSU an early 9-0 lead.
Maryland would be the first to find its way into the endzone, cutting MSU’s lead to 9-7 on a 20-yard touchdown reception by junior wide receiver Daniel Adams with 8:46 left in the second quarter. The touchdown pass came from senior quarterback C.J. Brown.
However, that would be the closest the game ever got.
MSU would respond to find its first touchdown of the game to take a nine point lead into halftime. Senior running back Jeremy Langford capped off a 75-yard drive with an eight yard touchdown run. The score came with 2:00 left in the second quarter and was the final scoring play of the half.
Langford finished the evening with 138 yards, which extends his streak of 100-plus yard Big Ten games to 14.
After a nearly scoreless third quarter, MSU added to its lead on a pick-six by Williamson with 1:06 left in the quarter. Williamson’s touchdown interception return was from 22 yards out and came off a tipped pass from senior linebacker Taiwan Jones.
Langford found the endzone for a second time on the evening with a 25-yard touchdown run with 7:06 to go in the fourth quarter. Maryland would turn the game into a two-score game after a 31-yard touchdown pass from Brown to freshman wide receiver Juwann Winfree but the following onside kick was recovered by MSU.
From there, MSU would get back in the endzone on a 33-yard touchdown run by senior running back Nick Hill. The touchdown was the final scoring play of the game.
MSU finished the night with 483 total yards, including 243 on the ground. Junior quarterback Connor Cook finished the evening 14-of-31 for 240 passing yards and no touchdowns. Cook’s touchdown-less performance snapped his school record streak of 16 straight games with a touchdown pass.
MSU returns to Spartan Stadium next Saturday for its final home game of the season against Rutgers. The kickoff time is set for noon.
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