Head coach Mark Dantonio reacts to an Indiana touchdown during the game against Indiana on Oct. 24, 2015, at Spartan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Hoosiers, 52-26.
The No. 13-ranked MSU football team (8-1 overall, 4-1 Big Ten) is looking to rebound against Maryland (2-7 overall, 0-5 Big Ten) in Spartan Stadium after last week's tough loss to Nebraska. Here are five things to know before the Spartans take on the Terrapins:
Kickoff is at noon Saturday and will be televised on ESPN2.
All-time record
MSU is 5-1 all-time against Maryland, the Terrapins will be traveling to East Lansing for the first time as a member of the Big Ten.
Maryland's last trip to Spartan Stadium resulted in the Terrapins lone win in the series. Maryland traveled to East Lansing on Oct. 7, 1950 and shocked the No. 2-ranked Spartans 34-7.
Rebound game
This is the second time in two years that MSU will be looking to rebound against Maryland. After a loss to Ohio State last season, a game that ultimately earned the Buckeyes a playoff spot and would have probably earned the Spartans one with a win as well, MSU bounced back with a win over the Terrapins.
"Another opportunity to say, 'Okay, we got knocked down, we're getting up off the mat, we're playing.' That's what we did last year," head coach Mark Dantonio said. "We had to go and play after a very disappointing game. We had to get back up and play, and that's what we did. I think there's something to be said for that, when you don't succeed at that, regardless of what you're doing, to be able to go back in that arena and be successful."
MSU cruised to a 37-15 win over Maryland in their first matchup as conference opponents. The Spartans will be looking for a similar rebound performance after last week's loss to the Cornhuskers.
Terrapins to watch
Junior defensive back William Likely is one of the most dangerous return men in the country. The Spartans have struggled at times this season with special teams coverage, so Likely could make it a long day for that unit.
"They've got weapons, William Likely, No. 4, great punt returner, kick returner, a guy they put over on offense from the corner position," Dantonio said.
The junior is second in the Big Ten with 666 yards on kick returns and first in punt return yards with 401 — the next closest person has 292.
He is averaging 24.7 (third) yards per kick return and 18.2 (first) yards per punt return. Likely also has three return touchdowns, one on kick returns and two on punt returns.
Likely holds the record for most kickoff return yards against MSU in a single game from last year's 228-yard performance.
Cook on a mission
Senior quarterback Connor Cook considers his performance last season against Maryland one of his worst as a Spartan. He went 14-for-31 passing for 240 yards with no touchdowns.
"That was probably the worst game I think I've had here as a Spartan," Cook said. "I was not in any kind of rhythm whatsoever against Maryland last year. So, I want to come out, I want to play good against them and kind of redeem myself."
Record watch
Speaking of Cook, the senior is close to breaking yet another school record. He needs just 314 yards of total offense to become the all-time leader.
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His 8,691 yards to date are good for third behind Jeff Smoker (8,714) and Kirk Cousins (9,004). He also needs just one more 300-yard passing game to take sole possession of that record as he and Smoker are tied with 10.
