(Photo Credit: SaJorden Miller / The SkyBoat)
Heading into this game, Maryland had lost two straight game to Big Ten opponents and it looked like their season may be spiraling out of control. Even though Michigan State has struggled this season, losing the last four games before tonight, they are still a dangerous and difficult opponent. Shortly before halftime though, with the score tied 14-14, it looked like the momentum had shifted into Michigan State’s favor.
Maryland had the football with 24 seconds left and they were at their own 26 yard line, when running back Lorenzo Harrison burst through the line of scrimmage and rushed for 21 yards but fumbled the ball at the end of the run. It was recovered by Michigan defensive back David Dowell. Michigan State had the football with great field position on Maryland’s 49 yard line, with 14 seconds until halftime.
Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke completed a 21 yard pass to wide receiver R.J. Shelton, to put them at the Maryland 28 yard line with four seconds left. It appeared that Michigan State was going to kick a field goal to go up three points but then unexpectedly, they tried to execute a fake field goal. The ball was flipped to kicker Michael Geiger and he was only able to gain four yards, before he was tackled by a host of Maryland defenders and time expired on the clock. Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio spoke after the game about the fake field goal attempt.
“I’m not sure if it was blocked correctly,” Dantonio stated. “I thought it was a good play and I thought they were set up for it. I thought with one second left and it being a 45-yard field goal and we were running the ball well enough and passing the ball well enough that I thought points would come. I was looking for a big payoff. That was the gamble that we took and that’s on me.”
Michigan State was only able to score three points the rest of the game. They fumbled the ball once but they also failed to convert a 4th down play and was forced to punt on a drive. Running back LJ Scott was the lone bright spot for Michigan State as he had 20 carries for 128 yards and one touchdown.
The Michigan State defense struggled to get Maryland’s offense off the field as Maryland was able to sustain long drives in the second half. Even if they didn’t result in points. The running game in particular for Maryland, gave the Michigan State defense fits.
The Maryland offense totaled 247 yards rushing on the day. The powerful rushing attack was led by running backs Ty Johnson, who had nine carries for 115 yards, Lorenzo Harrison had 17 carries for 105 yard and one touchdown and Kenneth Goins Jr. also had a touchdown. Maryland head coach DJ Durkin spoke after the game about the rushing performance, specifically Johnson and Harrison.
“You have to run the ball in this conference, you have to have to be able to run the ball and stop the run. Those guys are doing a great job; the offensive lineman are doing a great job.” He also add that, “the biggest thing to me, you see the energy when they get the ball in their hands and you just know that there is an opportunity to hit a big play. From a defensive stand point, you worry about that when facing a team like that, and obviously from an offensive stand point, you want as many as those guys possible because you put the ball in their hands and a small play can turn into an even bigger play and those are game-changers.”
In addition to the great performance of the running game, the Maryland offensive was led very efficiently by quarterback Perry Hills. He completed 21 of 27 passes for 200 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. He was able to help get Maryland in the right situations, managed the game well and made plays when needed to.
There is no question that for Maryland, this win over Michigan State is a major step in the right direction for this football team. “This is a huge win for us,” Durkin said. “Obviously beating Michigan State, a conference opponent, a division opponent. But more than anything, just coming off of the two weeks in a row where we’ve had our struggles. For our guys to dig deep and have that type of response, and really for a young team to have that type of a response is huge.”
Next week, Maryland travels to Bloomington, IL to take on another Big Ten opponent in Indiana University. Maryland cannot falter against Indiana though if they want to keep their hopes of reaching the Big Ten Championship game alive. Maryland has a very difficult three game stretch after facing Indiana, as they play Michigan, Ohio State and Nebraska, so they cannot look past Indiana. Hopefully this win against Michigan State will inspire Maryland the rest of the season and show the entire Big Ten that Maryland should not be overlooked anymore.
