MSU leads Maryland 17-7 at halftime in East Lansing:
Maryland fumbles at midfield
HALFTIME UPDATE: MSU leads Maryland, 17-7
MSU coach Mark Dantonio and the football team line up before the game against Michigan on Oct. 17, 2015 at Michigan Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines, 27-23.
After a slow start for the Spartans, sophomore defensive lineman Malik McDowell forced a Maryland fumble at the Terps’ own 43-yard line with just under 12:00 to go in the first quarter. Senior defensive lineman Damon Knox recovered the fumble and MSU took over from the 50-yard line.
O’Connor leads the Spartans to points off turnover
On the ensuing possession, backup junior quarterback Tyler O’Connor passed 10 yards to senior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. for the team’s first touchdown, 7-0, MSU. O’Connor led the offense the entire drive, which lasted 4:45 and totaled 10 plays, bringing the clock to 6:52 remaining in the first quarter. O’Connor went 4-for-5 with 30 yards on the drive.
Maryland gets on the board
The Terrapins drove 91 yards in 2:17 with a successful fast-tempo offense. The touchdown was rushed in by senior running back Brandon Ross and tied the score, 7-7, with 4:23 remaining in the first quarter. Maryland completed a 37-yard pass which brought them into Spartan territory and set up the scoring opportunity.
MSU fumbles at midfield
On the first play of the second quarter, freshman running back LJ Scott lost control of the ball at the Maryland 44-yard line and the Terrapins recovered. The Spartans defense forced Maryland into a three-and-out, though, and took over at the 50-yard line after an 11-yard punt by the Terrapins.
Kings makes highlight grab, but fake field goal fails
On MSU’s second drive of the second quarter, the Spartans faced third and six from the Maryland 44-yard line. And then, this happened:
Helluva catch by Kings. https://t.co/GEhf9KgbeV
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 14, 2015
The Kings catch was good for 28 yards and brought the Spartans to the Maryland 18-yard line. And then, this happened to end the MSU scoring opportunity:
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Bold to not block anyone on the fake field goal. https://t.co/y95wzXyakW
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) November 14, 2015
Maryland picks-off Cook at own 2-yard line
After the Spartans drove into Maryland territory, they yet again had a scoring opportunity taken away. On third and 13, senior quarterback Connor Cook threw a fade route from the Maryland 26-yard line and it was intercepted at the two. The turnover was Cook's fourth interception of the season.
Riley Bullough's pick-six
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Junior linebacker Riley Bullough put the Spartans ahead on an interception returned for a touchdown. Bullough picked-off the pass on third and eight and ran 44 yards for the score, putting MSU ahead 14-7, with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
Last second score gives MSU breathing room
With five seconds remaining in the half, junior kicker Michael Geiger kicked in a 35-yard field goal as time expired. MSU went into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
