Michigan State Stuffs Maryland 24-3 For MSU’s 700th All-Time Win Michigan State Official Athletic Site
Michigan State used a stout defensive performance to defeat Maryland, 24-3, Saturday. Connor Heyward ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns to help the Spartans (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) become a bowl eligible for the second year in a row. The Terrapins (5-4, 3-3) managed only 100 yards and nine first downs for interim coach and offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Michigan State bowl eligible after blowout win over Maryland The Only Colors
With LJ Scott sidelined for the game and the Michigan State Spartans passing for fewer than 100 yards, a win would seem unlikely. However, the Spartans handled the Maryland Terrapins, winning 24-3. Nothing about the game Saturday in College Park was ordinary. But the win was Michigan State’s sixth of the season, making them bowl eligible for the second year in a row.
Michigan State defense smothers Maryland in 24-3 win to become bowl eligible MLive.com
A strong running game and dominant defense. That’s the blueprint coach Mark Dantonio has used to spearhead success at Michigan State and it worked again with a 24-3 win at Maryland on Saturday. The Spartans (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) limited the Terrapins (5-4, 3-3) to just 100 yards of total offense while rushing for a season-high 269 yards in the victory at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium.
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State’s 24-3 win at Maryland Lansing State Journal
Lansing State Journal columnist Graham Couch gives his initial thoughts on the Spartans’ win over the Terrapins.
Michigan State football routs Maryland 24-3 to become bowl eligible Detroit Free Press
Brian Lewerke got the nod at quarterback. And Michigan State decided that throwing would be its second option Saturday. The Spartans used a dominating ground game to run for a season-best 269 yards and plow past Maryland for a 24-3 victory at Maryland Stadium. It was the 700th win in program history.
MSU rides smothering ‘D’, Heyward’s big day past Maryland Detroit News
Even as Michigan State’s offense has struggled this season, the defense has kept the Spartans in most games. On Saturday at Maryland, the defense did more than that as it kept the Terrapins off balance all day, a week after Maryland gained 712 total yards. Michigan State recorded five sacks and forced a pair of fumbles while limiting Maryland to just 100 total yards.
Defense dominates as Spartans rout Maryland Spartan Avenue
Michigan State football has finally found its identity as a dominant defensive team who runs the ball to control the time of possession. The first half was, for the most part, uneventful but that would change in the fourth quarter as Michigan State pulled away and defeated Maryland 24-3.
Michigan State tops Maryland, secures bowl eligibility Spartan Tailgate
Simply reaching the end zone wasn’t the end. It’s what Michigan State did when the ball crossed the goal line that determined Saturday’s win at Maryland. What had become an uncomfortable slog turned the Spartans’ way in the second half thanks to two improbable plays. Fullback Max Rosenthal recovered Connor Heyward’s fumble in the end zone for a score, and later, a Maryland defender was stripped and MSU recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Dantonio: ‘I have faith’ in Brian Lewerke as starting QB Detroit News
“Obviously, I didn’t practice at all last week and did more this week trying to work back into it,” Lewerke said. “Coach D said, ‘If you feel like you’re ready to go then you can go.’ Obviously, I’m not 100 percent, but I felt good enough to contribute. The wind didn’t help, but overall we ran the ball well so that was awesome.”
Josiah Scott, Cody White return from injury, make plays Detroit Free Press
The pass sailed toward an open Maryland receiver, a chance for a big play to a stagnant start offensively. Until Michigan State cornerback Josiah Scott zoomed toward Jeshaun Jones and lowered his shoulder, dislodging the ball and forcing a third straight three-and-out to open the game.
Report card: Defense plays perfect game Detroit Free Press
Chris Solari rates the Spartans on a scale of 1 to 10 after their 24-3 win at Maryland on Saturday.
Key observations from exhibition opener Spartan Avenue
It was only one preseason game against inferior Northern Michigan, but Michigan State basketball taught us a few things about this year’s team.
Fumbles go Michigan State’s way in 24-3 win over Maryland
Detroit Free Press
As much as Michigan State dominated Maryland, two bounces in the north end zone saved the Spartans from the unknown Saturday. Fullback Max Rosenthal recovered a Connor Heyward fumble for a third-quarter touchdown, and Darrell Stewart and Matt Dotson prevented a touchdown by the Terrapins in the fourth quarter by forcing a fumble on an interception to set up the game-clinching score in a 24-3 victory at Maryland Stadium. MSU coach Mark Dantonio credited Stewart and Dotson with what he called “a big play in the game.”
Brian Lewerke remains Michigan State’s starter but Rocky Lombardi could be ‘ace reliever’ MLive.com
A day before Michigan State hosted Purdue, coach Mark Dantonio told Rocky Lombardi he would start for the first time. One week later, Dantonio decided Brian Lewerke would be back under center. The redshirt junior quarterback returned to the starting lineup for Michigan State’s 24-3 win at Maryland on Saturday, although he was replaced early in the fourth quarter by backup Rocky Lombardi.
Heyward’s career day revitalizes MSU’s ground game Detroit News
Running the ball has always been the identity of the Michigan State offense. At least, that’s what the Spartans are always shooting for. Through the first eight games of the season, a consistent running game has been hard to come by as no Michigan State back had run for more than 100 yards in a game and the Spartans were 13th in the Big Ten, averaging just 107.6 yards a game on the ground.
Couch: Listening to Brian Lewerke isn’t Michigan State’s answer at quarterback Lansing State Journal
If Mark Dantonio keeps letting Brian Lewerke decide who starts at quarterback for Michigan State, Brian Lewerke is going to keep starting at quarterback for Michigan State. That only works if he’s Michigan State’s best quarterback and not just its most proven quarterback. I’m not sure that’s the case right now. Lewerke is playing with an injured throwing shoulder that limits his accuracy and velocity.