Maryland handles Michigan State under the lights
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- Maryland and Michigan State both played like teams desperate for a win as they exchanged blows Saturday night in College Park, but the Terps proved to want the victory more as they came out on top in front of their home crowd 28-17.
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“This is a huge win for us obviously with it being Michigan State and against a conference opponent and all of that,” Maryland head coach D.J. Durkin said. “But more than anything, just coming off of the two weeks in a row that we’ve had together where obviously we had our struggles, for our guys to dig deep and have that type of response I think is huge.”
The extra week to rest his injured shoulder worked wonders for Maryland’s senior quarterback Perry Hills, who was sidelined for last weekend’s loss to Minnesota but had his best performance of the season against the Spartans.
“Our leader was back,” Durkin said of Hills’ return.
More from TSR: WATCH DURKIN BREAK DOWN THE TERPS' WIN OVER MICHIGAN STATE
Hills finished the game 21-for-27 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. The dual-threat quarterback also added 29 yards on the ground for the Terps.
“It feels really good,” Hills said. “It’s hard just to watch and not be able to do anything. It just feels really good to be back out there battling with the guys.”
Hills was efficient throughout the game and was mobbed by his celebrating teammates on the sideline after his 9-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Levern Jacobs in the fourth quarter to seal the game for Maryland.
“I know I told him that he’s a tough son of a gun and I told him I love him,” Durkin said when asked what his message was to Hills after that play. “There’s a lot of guys that wouldn't have even played, and not only did he play, but he played really well. That just tells you what he’s all about. He’s as tough as they come. He’s been that way since day one when we got here. And his teammates all know it. Players know each other better than anyone and they know what that guy is all about and he’s about his team and doing whatever he has to do to help us win.”
But it was hardly a one-dimensional attack for the Terps against their Big Ten East Division foe. Maryland got back to running the ball effectively after being stifled last weekend against the Golden Gophers.
Sophomore Ty Johnson and true freshman Lorenzo Harrison shouldered most of the workload for Maryland’s backfield, combining for 26 carries, 220 yards and a touchdown. Senior power back Kenneth Goins also chipped four carries for 23 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Johnson continued to show the home run hitting ability he has all season long and increased his gaudy per carry average for the season to 10.3 yards by picking up 115 on just 9 carries against Minnesota.
Harrison continued to lead Terps running backs in touches, racking up 105 yards on 17 carries, and got the scoring going for Maryland with an 8-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
“Those guys are doing a great job,” Durkin said of Harrison and Johnson. “I think the offensive line is doing a great job blocking for them. When you add up [Harrison’s] side-to-side yards, I think he might have had 400 yards so we have to get him hitting the hole north a little bit better, but he’s doing a great job; he really is. The guy competes and plays hard and [Johnson] does as well.
“When they get the ball in their hands, there’s always an opportunity to hit a big one...You put the ball in their hands and sometimes the play that you call that might just be OK, with a guy like that, all of a sudden it becomes a big one and those are game changers.”
Although the Terps defense allowed 426 total yards, Maryland came up with timely stops and turnovers throughout the game to help contribute to the win. Cornerback Alvin Hill intercepted Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke in the first quarter and the senior now leads the Terps with two picks on the season.
“Off the line I was one on one with no safety--I might pick up a safety on an inside route but he ran a deep route,” Hill said, recalling his interception. “So I was outside by myself and I saw him go up but I was right in his hip pocket on the outside of him and I was able to switch positions with him and go up and get the ball.”
In the second half with Michigan State threatening in the red zone, Terps sophomore cornerback JC Jackson forced a fumble that was recovered by Maryland defensive lineman Chandler Burkett.
Improving on their performance from last weekend, Maryland won the turnover battle against the Spartans and did a much better job of protecting the quarterback while also not costing itself with penalties. The Terps offensive line allowed just one sack against Michigan State and as a team Maryland had just three penalties for 25 yards.
“I think our offensive line took some pride and ownership and said we’re not going to get Perry banged up in this game,” Durkin said.
But for as good as the Terps’ pass defense was against the Spartans, Maryland’s troubles stopping the run continued. Michigan State rushed for 270 yards as a team, led by sophomore LJ Scott, who had 128 yards on the ground and a touchdown.
The run defense is still an area where Maryland will look to make strides moving forward, but for now, Durkin and his squad are relishing their biggest conference win to date.
“It’s another program-building win,” Durkin said.