Recap: Michigan State tops Maryland to earn sixth win

Connor Muldowney
The Detroit News

Maryland can't respond

A nice kick return set up Maryland at its own 42 to start the drive. A first-down throw was dropped by Maryland. Josh Jackson then picks up five yards to set up third-and-5. Jackson then throws it away to set up a huge fourth down for the game and the Maryland quarterback threw it into coverage and Xavier Henderson batted it down.

Michigan State secures the win and gains bowl eligibility.

Matt Coghlin is game's MVP thus far

Starting from their own 11, the Spartans get 12 yards on first down with a completion to Anthony Williams. A few more completions and Michigan State gets back into Maryland territory. Tre Mosley makes an impressive diving reception on the sideline to get inside the 30.

The Spartans continue to move the ball through the air into Maryland territory with time melting off the clock. And then, on third-and-8, Michigan State comes up short with an incompletion.

Matt Coghlin hits a field goal to give Michigan State a 19-16 lead.

MSU forces three-and-out

Michigan State needed to force a three-and-out after a rough game on the defensive end, and they do. Tyrrell Pigrome comes in at quarterback and gains just four yards as the Terrapins punt and a misplayed return leads to a 60-yard punt downed deep inside MSU territory.

Matt Coghlin ties it up

Brian Lewerke hits Anthony Williams for nine yards on first down and then loses a yard on a second-down run to end the quarter.

Lewerke executes a great option and then Williams picks up the first down. Matt Seybert catches a pass for a first down and he fumbles it and the ball rolls out of bounds back behind the first-down marker. Elijah Collins picks up three yards on second-and-4 and Lewerke picks up a yard on a sneak to give the Spartans a first down.

Collins catches a 13-yard pass out of the backfield for another first down as Michigan State moves deeper into Maryland territory. Julian Barnett catches a pass for a first down just beyond the markers. On third-and-10 two plays later, Lewerke throws a short pass to set up fourth down and another field goal try for Matt Coghlin which he nails to tie the game.

MSU gets break with fumble

Another drive, another gashing of Michigan State by Maryland's offense thanks to a long run by Anthony McFarland, but Josh Jackson fumbled to give the Spartans the ball back.

MSU misses field goal

Getting the ball inside their own 5 after a nice punt, Michigan State loses two yards on a first-down rush and then Brian Lewerke hits Cody White for a first down. The senior quarterback then hits Julian Barnett for 31 yards and a first down near midfield. On a third-and-1 play, Lewerke keeps the ball and picks up a big first down to the Maryland 31.

Matt Coghlin misses a 45-yard field goal later on the drive.

MSU finally forces punt

The Terps get the ball back after a short Michigan State punt and pick up a quick first down to approach Spartan territory. Then Josh Jackson rushes for 13 yards and another first down. A reverse attempt is dropped for a loss of seven thanks to Jacub Panasiuk and then Jackson's pass is tipped to set up third-and-17.

A short pass by Jackson picked up just a couple yards and Maryland is forced to punt.

Another three-and-out

The offense continues to stall out as a 1-yard run on first and incomplete pass on second down sets up third-and-long. And then a third-down pass is batted down as fans begin to boo.

Maryland re-gains lead

On the first play of their ensuing possession, Maryland scores a touchdown on a long Anthony McFarland run. The Terps, however, miss the extra point.

Spartans go three-and-out

A poor kick return by Anthony Williams gives Michigan State the ball at its own 17. An incompletion and then a short Brian Lewerke keeper sets up third-and-7. Trenton Gillison catches a short pass for just five yards and Michigan State punts.

Maryland strikes quickly

Maryland gets the ball to start the second half and takes a touchback. Josh Jackson completes a 9-yard pass on first down and then Javon Leake rushes for 12 yards to pick up a first down. A 40-yard completion comes on the next play as Michigan State's defense continues to get gashed.

On third-and-11 two plays later, Jackson throws the ball out of the end zone and Maryland lines up for a field goal for only the fifth time on the season. Maryland drills it from 32 yards out.

Michigan State's Elijah Collins, right, is stopped by Maryland's Isaiah Davis, left, during the first half.

Michigan State heads into half with lead

Starting at his own 24, Josh Jackson hands it off to Anthony McFarland for a 5-yard gain on first down. He then picks up 10 yards on second down. Maryland continues to get whatever it wants with first down after first down to get into Michigan State territory.

Jackson took a shot to the end zone on first-and-10 and it falls incomplete. The next throw was bobbled and nearly picked off by Tre Person. Kenny Willekes gets the sack on third down, but he gets flagged for a facemask. Jacub Panasiuk sacks Jackson on the ensuing play and then again on second-and-15 by Raequan Williams.

On third-and-23, Jackson throws the ball away and is flagged for intentional grounding and Maryland decides to try a Hail Mary with six seconds left, but the pressure is too much for Jackson as he throws it away.

Lewerke records MSU's first TD

Michigan State takes over deep in their own territory and on third-and-6, Brian Lewerke hits Tre Mosley for 16 yards and then a short pass on first down gets Michigan State into Maryland territory. He then hits Mosley for another first down and then his third straight catch. Lewerke then nearly throws an interception again and Cody White flies in for the reception. White then sneaks open in the end zone, but Lewerke over-throws him to set up third-and-5.

A clutch first down comes after Lewerke hits Elijah Collins in the flat for about 10 yards to get to Maryland's 4. Collins then rushes up the middle to the 1-yard line. Lewerke keeps it and scores Michigan State's first touchdown of the game.

Michigan State takes a 13-7 lead.

Maryland blows opportunity

Maryland starts at its own 19 and rushes for four yards on first down. A second-down throw is incomplete, but Kenny Willekes is flagged for roughing the passer. On second-and-1, Josh Jackson scrambles for a first down and gets into Michigan State territory.

A few incompletions later, Maryland faces third-and-10 at the Michigan State 34 but Anthony McFarland picks up seven yards. Maryland decides to go for it and Jackson overthrew his receiver to turn it over on downs.

Coghlin hits another field goal

Michigan State starts at its own 25 and after a Brian Lewerke run, he hits Jalen Nailor for a first down and then Matt Seybert for another 12 yards and moves the chains. He then hits Cody White for 27 yards to get deep into Maryland territory. A poor throw on third down over the head of Nailor leads to a field goal try from Matt Coghlin again from 36 yards out and it's good.

Maryland takes the lead

Maryland took their first lead since mid-October with a long touchdown pass by Josh Jackson to make it 7-3 Maryland on the second play of the ensuing drive after the Brian Lewerke interception.

Lewerke intercepted again

Once again, Brian Lewerke gives the ball back to Maryland with another interception.

MSU forces quick three-and-out

Maryland starts at their own 20-yard line after the interception and Kenny Willekes blows up a run play for a 6-yard loss and then Michigan State jumps offsides to give the Terrapins almost all of their yardage back. On third-and-11, Maryland runs a delayed draw and loses four yards. 

Brian Lewerke gives it right back

And just like that, Brian Lewerke throws an interception on the first play of the drive to give Maryland the ball back.

Maryland turns it over again

Starting at their own 7-yard line, Maryland must go 93 yards to take a lead. Josh Jackson throws an incompletion on first down and then a 4-yard pass on second down to set up third-and-medium. The third-down pass was caught for a first down, but it was fumbled and Michigan State gets it back thanks to an Antjuan Simmons punch-out.

Collins stuffed on fourth-and-1

After getting the ball in plus territory, Elijah Collins rushes twice for six yards and then Brian Lewerke scrambles for a first down, fighting for extra yardage. After an injury timeout, Brian Lewerke hits Cody White for 17 yards and a first down. Collins runs twice for three yards, setting up a third-and-seven from the 11-yard line and Lewerke hits Tre Mosley a yard short of a first down.

Michigan State goes for it on fourth-and-1 and Collins is stuffed.

Josiah Scott gets the pick

On the Spartans' first defensive possession of the game, they allow two runs for no gain and then Josiah Scott picked off Josh Jackson to give Michigan State favorable field position.

MSU gets on the board first

Michigan State receives the ball to start the game and Anthony Williams takes the opening kickoff out past his own 25-yard line.

After a 1-yard run on first down, Elijah Collins breaks off a 21-yard run on second down to get to midfield. Brian Lewerke completes a short screen to Julian Barnett for five yards and then to Williams for 23 yards. It looks like Michigan State would score two plays later, but a pass to Jalen Nailor to the 1-yard line is called back due to an ineligible receiver downfield. 

On third-and-12, a designed run for Lewerke nets only two yards, setting up a Matt Coghlin field goal from 40 yards out and he drills it.

It's bowl game or bust.

That's the scenario for Michigan State, which needs a victory Saturday against Maryland to become bowl eligible.

Michigan State is seeking its six victory of the season Saturday when it plays host to Maryland.

The Spartans are coming off a 27-0 victory over lowly Rutgers to snap a five-game losing streak, while the Terrapins have lost six straight, including their last four by an average of 44.8 points.

Follow along here for live updates from Detroit News contributor Connor Muldowney.

MARYLAND AT MICHIGAN STATE

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Spartan Stadium, East Lansing

TV/radio: FS1/760

Records: Michigan State 5-6, 3-5 Big Ten; Maryland 3-8, 1-7

Line: Michigan State by 22