Recap: Michigan State drops third straight in 27-13 loss to Maryland

The offense moved the ball more successfully in the first half and the defense was more sound than in the last two weeks, but the result was the same for Michigan State. The Spartans lost to Maryland on the road, 27-13, for their third straight loss to fall to 2-3.

For the third straight week, Michigan State fell behind by a touchdown after giving up a touchdown on the opening drive. Maryland scored two of its three touchdowns in the first 10 minutes to take control and didn’t look back. MSU had a chance to tie the game in the second quarter but botched the snap — one of three missed kicks for the Spartans in the first half. 

The Spartans' defense was better at getting stops instead of giving up touchdowns, but could not get off the field on third down. The Terrapins had 489 yards of offense and quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa threw for 314 yards and one touchdown. 

On offense, MSU moved the ball successfully in the first half but couldn’t get anything going in the second half to mount a comeback. Payton Thorne struggled with accuracy and the offensive line couldn’t maintain a strong push to sustain the running game. Jayden Reed catching his first touchdown of the season was one of the lone bright spots. 

MSU will have to fight back to .500 and that will start next week at home against Ohio State.

End of 4th

Maryland ran the air out of the ball and burned the clock to walk away with its first win over Michigan State since 2016.

4:24 4Q: MSU tried to close the gap but couldn't convert on fourth down deep in Maryland territory. That'll be the game most likely unless MSU's defense can make a play.

Maryland added another field goal to go up two scores

7:54 4Q: Maryland hit a 51-yard field goal to extend its lead to 14.

10:54 4Q: MSU could not do anything backed up against its own goal line. The sky opened up and the heavy rain is now a factor. Maryland will take over at its own 48.

11:46 4Q: It looked like Maryland was about to deliver the dagger to MSU after Littleton broke a 68-yard run to put Maryland on the MSU two-yard line. The Terrapins tried to pound it in four straight plays, but MSU's defensive line led by Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow stuffed the run each time for a goal-line stop.

0:49 3Q: Michigan State could not sustain any momentum again on offense and punted.

1:22 3Q: Maryland could not add to its lead after missing a 50-yard field goal.

6:25 3Q: MSU had to punt thanks to back-to-back tackles for loss from the Maryland defensive line.

Maryland adds field goal to go up two scores

8:41 3Q: Maryland was able to pick up a few first downs before MSU stopped them at the 25. Maryland made the 42-yard field goal to go up 24-13.

14:08 3Q: Michigan State didn't have much going on offense out of halftime and had to punt after three quick plays.

End of 1st half: Michigan State got a break from the referees, who called unnecessary roughness on Maryland on an interception that the Terrapins returned to the MSU two-yard line. MSU did not waste time with its second opportunity and drove the ball into field goal range with four seconds left in the half. Mel Tucker had Jack Stone kick this field goal after Patton missed earlier, but MSU's line did not get enough blocks up front and the kick was blocked.

MSU has not made a kick in the last three tries.

Maryland adds a touchdown right before half

0:42 2Q: Maryland found its swagger on offense again and effortlessly moved down the field to score right before half. MSU struggled to stay with receivers on crossing and out routes throughout the drive, which finished with a Tagovailoa touchdown pass to Rakim Jarrett on an out route.

Jayden Reed hauls in first touchdown of the season

4:24 2Q: Payton Thorne kickstarted the MSU drive with a scramble on third and eight to get the chains moving. From there MSU slowly moved down the field with the running game and screens to get into the Maryland redzone. MSU didn't shoot itself in the foot this time — Thorne found Jayden Reed on a fade for his first touchdown of the season. MSU fumbled the snap on the extra point and did not tie the game.

11:01 2Q: The Michigan State defense was able to get off the field on back-to-back drives thanks to a nice stop by the defensive line on third down.

11:48 2Q: Michigan State moved the ball well but the drive came to a halt inside the Maryland redzone thanks to a holding call. MSU settled for a 33-yard field goal but graduate transfer Ben Patton, who is kicking field goals and extra points this week instead of Jack Stone, hooked the kick badly and missed. The Spartans come away with no points on the eight-play drive.

0:34 1Q: The Michigan State defense finally got a stop. After stuffing two runs on first and second down, Tagovailoa threw his second incompletion of the day to stall the Maryland drive.

1:56 1Q: Michigan State had no luck on its second drive and went three-and-out.

Maryland gashes MSU secondary for 2nd touchdown

3:41 1Q: Maryland's offense did not skip a beat on its second drive and carved up the MSU defense again. Maryland went 85 yards in five plays and just over two minutes thanks to blown coverages in the secondary and pounded the ball in from the two-yard-line to go up 14-7.

Elijah Collins, MSU answers immediately

5:45 1Q: Michigan State, unlike the last two weeks, had immediate answers to Maryland's opening jab. The Spartan offense attacked with a healthy blend of quick passes and runs between the tackles to move the ball effectively down the field. Senior running back Elijah Collins finished the drive with a patient, 12-yard run to bring the Spartans level.

Maryland strikes first

9:15 1Q: Maryland won the toss and elected to receive the ball first. It was the right move for the Terrapins, who marched right down the field to score on the opening possession. The shorthanded Spartan defense could not get off the field on third or fourth down and Maryland capitalized with a four-yard touchdown run from Antwain Littleton II.

It is the third straight game MSU has given up a touchdown on the first drive of the game.

Pregame

After back-to-back embarrassing losses, it's gut-check time for Mel Tucker and Michigan State.

The Spartans were outscored 73-35 by Washington and Minnesota to drop to 2-2 on the season. In both games, Michigan State sputtered its wheels out of the gate and fell into early holes. The Spartans' defense gave up over 500 total yards and 30 points in both losses while the offense seems stuck in first gear, unable to stay on the field and keep up with the opposing offense.

Michigan State remains short-handed, primarily on defense as defensive tackle Jacob Slade will miss his third straight game while defensive tackle Jalen Hunt and defensive ends Khris Bogle and Jeff Pietrowski are also out. Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow, who got injured last week, will play, as will defensive tackle Maverick Hansen.

The Spartans will have to try to answer these questions on the road in Maryland. The Terrapins are 3-1 after dropping their Big Ten opener against Michigan. Maryland comes into the game with the No. 23 passing offense in the country led by junior quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa and wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, and it will look to improve those numbers against MSU's secondary.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Jared Ramsey.

Michigan State at Maryland

▶ Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, SECU Stadium, College Park, Maryland

▶ TV/radio: FS1/760

▶ Line: Maryland by 7½

▶ Records: Michigan State 2-2 (0-1 Big Ten), Maryland 3-1 (0-1 Big Ten)

▶ Series: Michigan State leads 10-2 (Last game: November 13, 2021 — (at) Michigan State 40, Maryland 21)