Saturday marks the first time Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith has faced Maryland as he leads Michigan State into College Park for the start of conference play.
While Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. primarily played under center with both MJ Morris and Cam Edge seeing time in Saturday’s win vs. UConn, Smith noted his defense is preparing for the possibility of seeing multiple quarterbacks on Saturday.
“You got to kind of be ready for both. Both of them have [the] skill set to be able to run the ball and do some things so we're counting on seeing both of them,” he said during Monday’s press conference.
While the Spartans work to limit Maryland’s quarterbacks, a big piece of that is limiting the Terps’ skill players, which proves easier said than done. Senior wide receiver Tai Felton is coming off a career day in the season opener, while the return of Kaden Prather, Roman Hemby, Preston Howard and Dylan Wade gives the Spartans a “serious” challenge in week two.
“It is a challenge because they've got talent outside, they can make you miss, quarterback with a strong arm who's a willing runner,” Smith added. “Coach [Locksley] has done it at a high level on that offensive side for a long time so it's a serious challenge. Different than week one, right? And just in the passing game, which is, week in and week out of college football, you're going to have some different challenges, but they present a serious one on that side.”
Maryland also allowed only ten points in the win, the fewest in a season-opener since holding North Carolina to seven in 2021. “They return a bunch of players that have played last year,” Smith said of the defense. “I think the veteran defensive front, got a couple of safeties that can run and make plays, that transfer at corner. They got some challenges there. They won handily last week.”
Michigan State will look to turn the page after a concerning offensive performance to open the season as quarterback Aidan Chiles completed less than 50% of his passes, though the defense amassed seven sacks while holding FAU’s offense to just three points.
Head coach Mike Locksley said following the UConn win week two serves as “typically, which is very normal, the biggest jump that we’ll make as a team” as Maryland looks to secure its third consecutive win against the Spartans. “Now we see kind of the identity of what we're capable of against real people and not just against ourselves,” Locksley said.
Michigan State will look for its first win in College Park since 2018, and Smith had an answer for how they’ll look to attack their first road game in 2024.
“You got to be able to start fast. Our routine on the week, whether we're on home or away, doesn't change a ton. We'll be back to our practice starting [Tuesday]. Those three practices will be very similar. Now we might pump in a little crowd noise for the offense versus the defense like we did when would play it at home. Our approach on Fridays, before we travel, we try to get some work done, meetings-wise and things before we get on the airplane, and then try to get a good night's rest and on the routine. Start of Big Ten play again, our approach can't totally change and it really won't. Big Ten game, or this opponent, that type of thing. We're sticking to a process and looking forward to getting another opportunity.”
Smith also announced that safeties Dillon Tatum and Khalil Majeed, along with WR Alante Brown, suffered long-term injuries with Tatum expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season. “You got a big-time opponent that’s got a bunch of good players – it’s a real challenge on the road.” The loss of both Tatum and Majeed will test the Spartans’ secondary as Billy Edwards Jr. looks to record his second consecutive 300-yard passing game.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM on the Big Ten Network.
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