COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Michigan State opened October the same way it ended September.
With a loss.
The Spartans (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) never led while losing 27-13 at Maryland (4-1, 1-1) on Saturday. It’s their third straight defeat and first time with three consecutive losses since 2019.
Here are takeaways and observations from the game:
* Michigan State turned in a better overall performance on Saturday than its previous two games but that’s not saying much. The Spartans fell behind big early in a 39-28 loss at Washington and were embarrassed at home in a 34-7 defeat to Minnesota last week.
This time, Michigan State was in the game until late in the fourth quarter but the minor improvements made in multiple areas were still nowhere near enough to snap a skid. A year after finishing 11-2, the Spartans have dug a big hole and, now more than a third of the way through the season, face an uphill battle just to become bowl eligible. That’s the reality and the road ahead is daunting. They host No. 3 Ohio State next week, followed by Wisconsin and then make a trip to No. 4 Michigan.
Wisconsin (2-3, 0-2) has dropped three of its last four and is also struggling but there’s a decent chance the Spartans head into November at 2-6. This is the same Michigan State team that entered the season talking about winning the Big Ten and a national title.
Following each of the last three games, coach Mel Tucker and players have repeatedly talked about the problem being a lack of execution and how they’re close in certain areas. Three straight double-digit defeats show they have a long way to go to close the gap and avoid the season being even more of a disaster than it already is.
* For the third straight game, Michigan State gave up a touchdown on the opponent’s opening possession. Maryland drove 93 yards on 12 plays while converting a pair of third downs and once on fourth down before a 15-yard touchdown run by Antwain Littleton II. Then the Terrapins needed only five plays to move 85 yards and find the end zone on their next drive.
It was another ugly start for Michigan State’s defense but the damage was limited after that – at least in comparison to the previous two games. A week after Minnesota never punted, the Spartans forced back-to-back three-and-outs in the first half before the Terrapins put together a touchdown drive late in the second quarter. Michigan State limited Maryland to only six points on a pair of field goals in the second half and made its third goal-line stand of the season.
Overheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Not a lot to say and a pride thing
The final numbers aren’t great for the Spartans as the Terrapins finished with 489 yards of total offense and had a 36:16 to 23:44 advantage in time of possession. Michigan State also struggled again against a veteran quarterback as Taulia Tagovailoa was 32-for-41 passing for 314 yards and one touchdown. More third-down conversions allowed (Maryland was 8-for-17), more receivers wide open. Michigan State’s run defense wasn’t bad, other than giving up a 68-yard gain to Littleton in the fourth quarter.
* Following back-to-back games when Michigan State ran only six offensive plays in the first quarter, there was a better start on Saturday. The Spartans scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the game for only the second time this year – the first time against a Power Five opponent – and punted only once in the first half.
However, there were points left on the board in the first two quarters and then the offense dried up in the second half. Michigan State punted on its first four possessions after halftime – including a trio of three-and-outs – and was shut out over the final 30 minutes while posting only 75 yards. Just about everything that worked to begin the game disappeared despite coach Mel Tucker and quarterback Payton Thorne saying they didn’t see any notable changes by the Terrapins.
* Coming off a three-turnover game in one of his worst performances at Michigan State, Thorne was sharp early. He completed his first six throws and was 20-for-24 for 180 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The second half didn’t go nearly as well has he was just 7-for-20 for 41 yards.
Thorne missed open receivers at times and didn’t get help at others. Running back Jalen Berger, tight ends Tyler Hunt and Daniel Barker and top receiver Jayden Reed all had drops.
As much as fans always pile on the quarterback, Thorne is not the reason Michigan State is 2-3. He also hasn’t been consistent this season.
* Following back-to-back games in which Michigan State failed to reach 50 yards rushing while setting new lows since Tucker took over the program in 2020, the ground game was better but still far from great. The Spartans finished with 22 carries for 100 yards but they weren’t consistent overall.
The most notable development from Saturday in that department was fifth-year senior Elijah Collins getting more of a look. The former starter who nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in 2019 had 36 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
After transfers Berger and Jarek Broussard were the top two backs over the first four games, Collins was the second in the rotation against Maryland, after Berger started. His first three carries went like this – eight yards, a 12-yard touchdown and eight yards.
Despite that strong showing, Collins only had two touches in the second half – both for four yards – and Berger got more reps. Collins, who stuck with the program when others in his position would have likely transferred in the last couple years, seemed to deserve more carries on Saturday but that didn’t happen. Tucker complimented his performance but didn’t commit to him having a larger role moving forward.
* Explosive plays were a key in Michigan State’s offensive turnaround last year but haven’t been there as much this season, especially against quality competition. With a running game that has struggled following the departure of All-American Kenneth Walker III, they become even more glaring.
Michigan State’s longest gain against Maryland was a 19-yard pass from Thorne to Broussard. That means in the last two games, the team has only one play of at least 20 yards and that was a touchdown pass from backup Noah Kim to Germie Bernard in the final minute of the loss to Minnesota.
The Spartans need to rip off larger chunks and the blame can be spread around. Thorne missed open receivers at times and drops were part of the problem as well.
* Continuing with the theme of what’s been lacking – and there’s a lot – the inability to generate turnovers and sacks remain. Other than Michigan State’s goal-line stand in the fourth quarter – its third of the year – Maryland didn’t have a turnover.
The Spartans entered the game tied for first in the nation in fumble recoveries with seven but six came in the first two games against MAC opponents. And, heading into Saturday, they were one of only four teams in the nation without an interception.
Michigan State makes gains but nowhere near enough to avoid another loss
Through two games, Michigan State was first in the country with 12 sacks but had zero the following two weeks and only one on Saturday. And that wasn’t much of a sack as Tagovailoa took a 1-yard loss after being pressured and trying to run up the middle. Defensive end Jacoby Windmon, who had 5.5 sacks through the first two games, has zero since.
* Michigan State remains shorthanded on defense as four players who began the season as starters were out again on Saturday. Tackle Jacob Slade missed his third straight game, end Jeff Pietrowski was out for the second consecutive week, safety Xavier Henderson missed his fourth straight game and linebacker Darius Snow suffered a season-ending injury in the opener. Additionally, end Khris Bogle was out after being injured against Minnesota in his first start with the Spartans.
Team health has a been a major problem for the Spartans this season, especially on defense. Although Tucker and players haven’t used that as an excuse, it’s clearly a factor.
Henderson made the trip to Maryland and threw the ball around on the field during pregame warmups while still wearing a large brace on his right leg. It’s unclear when he will return but Tucker thought it was beneficial for the fifth-year senior and captain to be there supporting the team.
* Another week, a few more tweaks to a struggling defense. After Justin White replaced Chester Kimbrough as the starting nickelback against Minnesota, Angelo Grose moved from safety to that spot on Saturday while reclaiming his old position. That also led to true freshman Jaden Mangham making his first start at safety alongside Kendell Brooks.
Mangham was beat on a what could have been a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter but Tagovailoa overthrew receiver Rakim Jarrett. Although the changes were notable moving forward, the pass defense struggled again.
Michigan State, which has typically stuck to a 4-2-5 scheme since Scottie Hazelton took over the unit in 2020, showed a few more traditional three-linebacker sets at times on Saturday with Aaron Brule joining starters Cal Haladay and Ben VanSumeren.
* Although Bryce Baringer remains one of the best punters in the nation, Michigan State had a horrific day in placekicking. True freshman Jack Stone handled those duties over the first four games this season and was still on kickoffs against Maryland but Ben Patton got the first crack at splitting the uprights. The walk-on graduate transfer from Auburn made his first extra point but missed a 33-yard field goal in the first half that led to him being replaced.
After Stone reclaimed the spot, a botched snap cost the Spartans an extra point that would have tied the game in the second quarter. And after they moved the ball late before halftime to set up a field goal attempt, Stone’s 45-yard kick was blocked. Tucker said going with Patton first over Stone in placekicking was based on practice and pregame performance.
Related Michigan State football stories:
Michigan State defense shorthanded at Maryland
Three years after being cut, Michigan State’s Bryce Baringer could be best punter in nation
5 things to watch in Michigan State vs. Maryland and a final score prediction
Ad Choices