Michigan St Stuffs Maryland After Tumultuous Week For Terps

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) 

A tumultuous week for Maryland ended with a sobering defeat.

Michigan State capped a rough stretch for the unsettled Terrapins football program, using a stout defensive performance to secure a 24-3 victory on Saturday.

LANDOVER, MD - SEPTEMBER 1: Members of the Maryland Terrapins celebrate their 34-29 win over the Texas Longhorns at FedExField on September 1, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

The Terrapins (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten) managed only 100 yards and nine first downs for interim coach and offensive coordinator Matt Canada.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Interim head coach Matt Canada of the Maryland Terrapins looks on during the second half against the Michigan State Spartans at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Connor Heyward ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns to help the Spartans (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) become a bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 years, the only exception a 3-9 stumble in 2016.

The loss followed the reinstatement, then dismissal, of Maryland head coach DJ Durkin over the span of two days.

"This week was a challenging week. That's a fact. You guys all know that," Canada said. "But we came in and worked every day. Our kids played hard. We lost today because we just didn't play well enough. We played a really good football team and I didn't coach well enough."

Canada spoke alone, opting not to make the players available to the media.

"Our players are more than capable of speaking and they will," Canada said. "They've had a big week, a challenging week."

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach D.J. Durkin of the Maryland Terrapins walks off the field with athletic director Kevin Anderson after defeating the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

On Tuesday, Durkin was reinstated by the University System board of regents following a probe into the culture of the football program. The investigation was launched soon after school president Wallace Loh acknowledged in August that "mistakes were made" in the treatment of Maryland offensive lineman Jordan McNair, who collapsed during an offseason workout and died two weeks later of heatstroke.

The decision to bring Durkin back from paid administrative leave created such a furor among students and politicians that Loh fired Durkin on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the board of regents chairman resigned from his post.

Several outlets reported that three players walked out of a meeting with Durkin on Tuesday. After practice that day, the backup punter, who had spoken out about the coaching staff, was reportedly assaulted by a teammate who supported Durkin.

Coming off all those distractions, the Terrapins were looking to become bowl eligible with their third win in four games. Instead, they fell behind early and never got the offense working.

The Spartans scored on their first possession, added a first-quarter field goal and went up 17-3 in the third quarter when Max Rosenthal recovered a Heyward fumble in the end zone.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on prior to playing against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

"Huge win for us," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. "We stayed focused on the task at hand, which was to win No. 6."

Dantonio fully understood Maryland's unique situation.

"I'm sure there were a lot of distractions. They have faced a very emotional tragedy earlier in the year," Dantonio said. "For that, we are all very sorry. Everything else that's going on is difficult for us to comprehend, being on the outside looking in. But our thoughts and our prayers go with the McNair family and also our thoughts are with the entire Maryland football program as they move through challenging times."

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Max Rosenthal #49 and Matt Dotson #89 of the Michigan State Spartans recover a fumble for a touchdown during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Maryland's effort to come back was thwarted by two fourth-quarter turnovers. Javon Leake lost a fumble on the MSU 26 and Byron Cowart fumbled on an interception return with the Spartans recovering in the end zone for a touchback.

"We make that score, it's 17-10 with 11 minutes to go, we're right in the game," Canada said.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a touchdown past Antoine Brooks Jr. #25 and Deon Jones #14 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

On the next play, Heyward ran for an 80-yard touchdown for a 24-3 lead with 11 minutes left.

"I don't know how to describe it," Heyward said. "You're just smiling and then looking at the Jumbo screen hoping you don't get caught."

Maryland's strong running game was limited to 26 yards (on 29 carries) by the nation's top-ranked rushing defense. Kasim Hill went 8 for 21 for 74 yards for the Terps on a very windy day.

THE TAKEAWAY

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Byron Cowart #9 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)

Michigan State: After putting off a decision on his starting quarterback until late in the week, Dantonio settled on senior Brian Lewerke, who returned from a shoulder injury to go 11 for 20 for 87 yards and an interception before being replaced by redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi.

"I know there were a lot of distractions this week over here (at Maryland), but same for us, not knowing exactly what's going on as well," Dantonio said.

The Spartans have some work to do in the passing game, but the defense is good enough to make up for that and keep them competitive against any foe.

Maryland: When the Terps are bad, they're bad. Maryland's one-dimensional offense sputtered again, and those two turnovers in the fourth quarter didn't help. Maryland's four losses this season have come by a combined 86 points.

EJECTED

Terrapins defensive tackle Mbi Tanyi was ejected in the second quarter for throwing a punch at a Michigan State player.

UP NEXT

Michigan State: The Spartans host No. 8 Ohio State.

Maryland: The Terrapins travel to Indiana.

© 2018 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Read more
f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.