Michigan State football: Grading the Spartans after impressive win over Maryland

Michigan State got bowl eligible on Saturday with an impressive 24-3 at Maryland. Once again, it was Michigan State’s defense that led the way, but the offense did plenty of things well, too.

The Spartans are getting healthier, and that’s a good thing with Ohio State coming to town next week.

Here’s what I liked — and didn’t like — about the Spartans’ win over Maryland:

What I liked

Finally, a first-quarter touchdown

Here’s a rarity. Michigan State’s impressive 12-play 79-yard opening drive ended with an 18-yard Connor Heyward touchdown run. It was the first time the Spartans had scored a touchdown in the first quarter since the Indiana game way back on Sept. 22. That was a whopping 42 days ago! Playing with a lead was huge, especially with all those injuries they’re dealing with on offense.

Defense got everything right but the shutout

Michigan State’s defense played well enough to pitch a shutout against Maryland, but the Terps did sneak in a second-quarter field goal. The Spartans’ special teams let the defense down a bit after a 16-yard punt gave Maryland the ball at the MSU 42-yard line. It only took a few first downs to get into range. Outside of that, they were nearly perfect.  Maryland quarterback Kasim Hill was just 8-for-24 passing for 74 yards and the running game was awful, gaining only 26 yards on 29 carries. That’s total domination there, especially since Maryland came into the game averaging 246 yards per game rushing, good for second in the Big Ten and No. 11 in the country. The Spartans shut them down completely.

Connor Heyward has himself a day

Connor Heyward had a huge game, rushing for 156 yards on just 15 carries. It was a bit of a surprise because Heyward had only 201 yards all season, and just 10 yards in five carries the past two weeks. All year long, backups have had to step up with so many guys going down with injuries and Saturday was Heyward’s day. Michigan State ranked No. 120 (out of 129 teams) in rushing prior to the game, averaging only 107 yards as a team. Heyward helped change that. “I felt like I was picking whatever hole I wanted to go to,” he said. “When you get in that rhythm and that flow, it felt like anything was open and you want the ball more and more.”

What I didn’t like

Brian Lewerke didn’t do much in the passing game

I’m definitely nit-picking here because it was good to see Brian Lewerke back out there after missing a game with a shoulder injury. But he only threw for 87 yards on 11-for-20 passing and didn’t take many chances because it was so windy. Of course, he didn’t really have to, because the running game was so good. “Obviously, I didn’t practice at all last week and did more this week trying to work back into it,” Lewerke said. “Coach (Mark Dantonio) said, ‘If you feel like you’re ready to go, then you can go.’ Obviously, I’m not 100 percent, but I felt good enough to contribute. The wind didn’t help, but overall we ran the ball well so that was awesome.”

I missed watching Josiah Scott play

Michigan State sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott missed eight games this season, and I haven’t liked that one bit. It was so nice to see him back out there Saturday. He’s that good. “It’s been rough but rewarding at the same time when you get football taken away from you for a long period of time,” Scott said of missing nearly three months. “You kind of just grow attached to it. You don’t take each day for granted. You just try to go out there and give it your all.”

Tom Brew

Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.