However, unlike after Lewerke’s interception, wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. forced a fumble in Michigan State’s end zone, which was recovered by tight end Matt Dotson resulting in a touchback and MSU possession on its 20-yard line. 

Running back Connor Heyward ran 80 yards to the end zone on MSU's ensuing possession after the turnover, securing the Spartans’ (6-3, 4-2) 24-3 win over interim coach Matt Canada's Terrapins (5-4, 3-3), making MSU bowl eligible and earning the program’s 700th win. 

Lewerke went 11-of-20 for 87 yards and an interception, while rushing a nine times for 45 yards after missing last week’s win against Purdue due to a right-shoulder injury suffered against Penn State three weeks ago. Heyward rushed 15 times for a career-high 157 yards and two touchdowns. Heyward’s 157 yards was also the first 100-plus yard rusher for MSU this season.

Wide receiver Cody White, who played in his first game since breaking his left hand against Central Michigan on Sept. 22, caught two passes for 20 yards. The Spartans had 356 total offensive yards.

Maryland quarterback Kasim Hill completed 8-of-21 passes for 74 yards. The Terrapins rushed for a combined 26 yards on 29 carries, and had 100 total offensive yards.

The Spartans were first to score thanks to Heyward’s first rushing touchdown, an 18-yard run, with 7:55 left in the first quarter

Following the score MSU’s defense forced a Maryland three-and-out — 1-of-6 on the afternoon — which led to a 23-yard field goal by Matt Coghlin, giving the Spartans a 10-0 lead with 3:32 left in the first quarter.

The score remained that way until Baringer booted a 16-yard punt which set up Maryland on MSU’s 42-yard line 

On the sixth play on the following Terrapins drive, linebacker Tyriq Thompson was called for roughing the passer and targeting against Hill. The latter penalty was wiped away, but the roughing the passer penalty put Maryland on MSU’s 7-yard line. 

The Terrapins gained one yard on three plays, leading to a 23-yard field goal by Joseph Petrino, making it 10-3 with 5:13 left in the first half, which was the score going into halftime. 

After Maryland’s opening three-and-out second-half drive, Heyward almost scored his second touchdown, but fumbled on the Terrapins 1-yard line. 

Luckily for the Spartans, fullback Max Rosenthal recovered Heyward’s fumble that bounced into the end zone, giving MSU the 17-3 lead with 4:17 left in the third quarter. 

Following consecutive three-and-outs from Maryland and MSU, linebacker Joe Bachie forced a fumble on running back Javon Leake, which Bachie recovered on MSU’s 28-yard line with 14:55 left in the fourth quarter. Bachie finished with seven total tackles, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery against the Terrapins. 

But two plays into the Spartans' following drive, Lewerke threw his lone interception to cornerback RaVon Davis, giving Maryland the ball in MSU territory which ultimately resulted in a 27-yard punt by Wade Lees.

On Lombardi’s first drive of the game following Lewerke's pick, he threw an interception that was almost turned into a score, but Stewart forced the fumble in the end zone, leading to the recovery by Dotson. Heyward's 80-yard score put MSU up 24-3 with 11:00 left in the game, and ended up being the final blow to the Terrapins. 

Next up for the Spartans is a meeting with No. 10 Ohio State (8-1, 5-1) next Saturday. The Buckeyes are coming off a 36-31 win over Nebraska. Kickoff time and the TV network the game will be broadcasted on has yet to be announced.