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Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles threw for 363 yards and 3 touchdowns as the visiting Spartans defeated the Maryland Terrapins 27-24 on Sept. 7. Kicker Jonathan Kim hit a 37-yard field goal with 1 second left on the clock to secure the win.
Game Summary
In the first quarter, the Terps and Spartans traded touchdown passes on each teams’ opening drives. Terps QB Billy Edwards Jr. scored a rushing touchdown with 47 seconds remaining in the first quarter to put the Terps up 14-7. Michigan State had the only two scores of the second quarter, a 34-yard touchdown pass from Chiles to wide receiver Jaron Glover and a 50-yard Kim field goal as the half ended.
The Terrapins tied the game at 17 with the lone score of the third quarter, a 45-yard Jack Howes field goal. The first play of the fourth quarter saw Edwards hit right end Dylan Wade on a 28-yard touchdown to put the Terps up 24-17. Then, the Spartans' defense took over and stifled the Maryland offense. After rushing for 248 yards in Week 1, the Michigan State defense held the Terps to only 86 rushing yards. The final two scores, both in the fourth quarter, gave the Spartans the win.
Turning Point
The Terps led 24-17 when Howes missed a 41-yard field goal that would have put the Terps up by 10. Michigan State then took over on their own 23-yard line. The Spartans needed only one play to tie the game. Chiles took the snap and the speedy Marsh used a double move to split Maryland defensive backs Perry Fisher and Kevyn Humes. Then, 77 yards later, the game was tied 24-24. Maryland head coach Mike Locksley gave credit to Chiles for his performance. “The game plan was to make them beat us throwing the ball,” Locksley said. “Aiden Chiles and those receivers did the job.”
What it Means for Michigan State
Michigan State rode the arm of Chiles and the legs of Marsh for this win. Known for his run-heavy offensive philosophy, Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith opened up the pass attack against Maryland. Chiles finished 24-for-39 for 363 yards with 3 TDs and 3 interceptions. Marsh chipped in 8 catches for 194 yards and a score. If the Spartans can throw the ball this well, then they will be a threat in the Big Ten Conference. This is a huge conference win for the Spartans. Next week, Michigan State hosts Prairie View at 3:30 p.m., on Sept. 14 in East Lansing, Mich. For now, the Spartans are in first place in the Big Ten.
What it Means for Maryland
This was a game of missed opportunities for Maryland. The missed field goal, the lapse in defense and the inability to run the ball all hurt the Terps. Maryland had a chance to get out in front of their Big Ten schedule and now they’re playing from behind. They have some positives to build off but also have some things to work on. “We’ve got a lot of things to clean up,” Edwards said. “We’ve got a really tough game next week, we’ve got to get this stuff corrected fast.” Edwards finished 26-for-34 for 253 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. Wide receiver Tai Felton was Edwards’ top target, grabbing 11 catches for 152 yards and 1 TD. The Terps have a non-conference road tilt with former ACC foe Virginia at 8:00 p.m., on Sept. 14 in Charlottesville, Va.
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