Looking to move to 2-0 for the ninth time in the last ten years, Maryland watched Saturday’s game slip away late as Michigan State stole a 27-24 win thanks to a last-second field goal, marking the Spartans’ first win in College Park since 2018.
It didn’t start sloppy as the offense managed to pick back up where it left off a week ago, going 5-for-5 on third downs to drive down into the redzone on an eight-play drive before Billy Edwards Jr. connected with Tai Felton for a 15-yard touchdown in the corner of the endzone. The touchdown marked the ninth time in the last 15 games that Maryland scored a touchdown on its first drive, while Felton became the first Terp to record three receiving touchdowns in the first two games of the season since DJ Moore in 2017.
The Spartans would answer right back, leaning on RB Nate Carter and the ground game to carve up the Terps' front seven before QB Aidan Chiles threw for his first touchdown of the game.
Maryland was able to retake the lead after capitalizing on field position thanks to safety Glen Miller, who came down with his fourth interception in as many games after taking in a sailing Chiles’ pass. Miller’s run after the catch set Maryland up in the redzone and two plays later, it would be Billy Edwards Jr. who found the endzone after taking a quarterback keeper for six.
But the offense struggled to find much consistency afterward, throwing for just eight yards in the second quarter after averaging under three yards per carry in the first quarter.
The Spartans’ passing attack, meanwhile, had little-to-no issue moving the ball against the Terps’ secondary when QB Aidan Chiles was accurate, turning to the passing game for both of its touchdowns before setting the offense up for a field goal as time expired in the first half. Couple that with the Spartans’ chunk plays on the ground with Carter leading the way, and Saturday marked a concerning effort for a Maryland defense that once touted its depth and experience.
When Chiles wasn’t accurate, Maryland’s defense made the Spartans pay as Jalen Huskey’s first interception as a Terp came in the endzone to halt the opening drive of the second half. Maryland would turn the takeaway into points yet again after Jack Howes drilled a 45-yard attempt, tying the game at 17 in the opening minutes of the third quarter.
It would be Maryland who would break the scoring drought next as Billy Edwards Jr. opened the fourth quarter with a 28-yard throw to TE Dylan Wade all alone in the endzone, marking the third career touchdown for the Florida native. Michigan State looked poised to threaten the Terps on the next drive after a deep ball set the Spartans up right outside the redzone, but an errant play by Aidan Chiles led Glen Miller to reel in his second interception of the day with just over 12 minutes remaining, becoming the first Terp since Andreal Johnson in 1995 to record three interceptions in the first two games. At the time, the Terps appeared to have done enough to inch closer toward the win column — then missed opportunity struck.
Maryland would have a chance to cement its lead after Jack Howes came on to attempt a 41-yard field goal, but a miss gave the Spartans life one last time with under five minutes left. Chiles didn’t need much time to capitalize, connecting with Nick Marsh for his sixth catch of the day, a 77-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven with just over four minutes remaining.
After the offense suffered a quick three-and-out, Chiles put the Spartans on his back to drive the offense into the redzone, forcing Locksley to burn through his timeouts in the final seconds of the game. Still, Michigan State was able to control the line of scrimmage to set up the game-winning 36-yard field goal.
For a Spartans offense that struggled in its season-opening win vs. Florida Atlantic, head coach Jonathan Smith watched his unit get back on track after finishing with 493 yards of total offense, including 363 passing.
Maryland will look to rebound on the road vs. Virginia next week for an 8 PM kickoff.
Notes
-Maryland was without QB MJ Morris and TE Preston Howard on Saturday after suffering injuries in the season-opening win vs. UConn. OL Deandre Duffus, CB Kevis Thomas, WR Jahmari Powell-Wonson were also ruled out while CB Lloyd Irvin was listed as questionable. Perry Fisher, who was also listed as questionable, played with a club on his right hand.
-WR Tai Felton recorded his fourth career 100-yard receiving game, second in 2024 after finishing with 154 yards on a career-high 11 catches
-OLB Kellan Wyatt went down with a non-contact injury in the first half but returned for the second half
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