Michigan State Edges Maryland 27-24 in Thrilling Big Ten Opener

Michigan State pulled off a thrilling 27-24 victory over Maryland on Saturday in their Big Ten opener, with Jonathan Kim sealing the win with a 37-yard field goal in the final second. The Spartans, led by quarterback Aidan Chiles, overcame turnovers and penalties to stage a late-game comeback and hand the Terrapins their first loss of the season.

Chiles, a transfer from Oregon State, had a rollercoaster performance, throwing for 363 yards and three touchdowns but also tossing three interceptions. Despite his mistakes, Chiles made the critical plays when it mattered most, including a 77-yard touchdown strike to freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh late in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24. That big-play connection set the stage for Michigan State’s defense to get a stop, and Kim’s game-winning kick sent the Spartans to 2-0 on the season.

Early Struggles and Resilience

Michigan State’s offense showed flashes of brilliance, but turnovers nearly derailed their efforts. The Spartans started strong, matching Maryland’s early score with a touchdown of their own on their first drive. Chiles connected with Montorie Foster on a 9-yard pass to tie the game 7-7 after Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. opened the scoring with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tai Felton.

However, mistakes plagued Chiles in the first half. After the Spartans’ defense forced Maryland into a quick third-down stop, Chiles sailed a pass intended for Marsh that was intercepted by Terrapins safety Glendon Miller, who returned it deep into Michigan State territory. Maryland capitalized quickly with Edwards running it in from 7 yards out, giving the Terrapins a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Despite the setbacks, Chiles rallied the Spartans. On the next drive, he led Michigan State on an 11-play, 75-yard march, finding Jaron Glover for a 34-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 midway through the second quarter. After some back-and-forth defensive stops, the Spartans had a chance to take the lead just before halftime. Kim initially missed a 55-yard field goal, but an offsides penalty on Maryland gave him a second opportunity, and this time, he drilled it from 50 yards to send Michigan State into the break with a 17-14 lead.

Maryland Answers in the Second Half

The second half saw Maryland claw its way back into the game, capitalizing on Michigan State’s mistakes. Chiles threw his second interception of the game on the Spartans’ opening drive of the third quarter, and Maryland turned that turnover into points with a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17.

Maryland then regained the lead early in the fourth quarter after another miscue by Michigan State. A blown coverage left Dylan Wade wide open for a 28-yard touchdown pass from Edwards, putting the Terrapins up 24-17 with just over 12 minutes remaining in the game.

With momentum swinging in Maryland’s favor, Michigan State’s offense needed a spark—and they found it in the form of Nick Marsh. On the next play from scrimmage, Chiles stood tall in the pocket, absorbed a hit, and launched a deep ball down the middle to Marsh for a 57-yard gain. Although the Spartans’ drive stalled due to a false start and negative plays, Marsh’s big catch set the tone for the eventual comeback.

Michigan State’s Late-Game Heroics

Michigan State’s defense came up big when they needed it most. After Maryland had a chance to extend its lead to two scores, Terrapins kicker Gavin Howes missed a 41-yard field goal with just over four minutes to play. The Spartans wasted no time in capitalizing on the missed opportunity.

On the very next play, Chiles launched a deep pass to Marsh, who raced 77 yards for the game-tying touchdown with 4:11 left in the game. The Spartans had finally found their offensive rhythm, and the defense followed suit, forcing a quick three-and-out from Maryland.

With the ball back in their hands and the clock winding down, Chiles led Michigan State on a methodical drive. A key pass interference call against Maryland on a third-down play kept the drive alive and moved the Spartans into field goal range. Kim, who had already made a clutch kick earlier in the game, stepped up once again and delivered the game-winning 37-yard field goal with just one second remaining.

Key Performances

Nick Marsh’s breakout performance was the highlight for Michigan State. The freshman wide receiver finished with eight catches for 194 yards and the game-tying touchdown. His chemistry with Chiles, despite the quarterback’s ups and downs, was evident throughout the game.

Chiles, despite his three interceptions, showed resilience in his second career start. The young quarterback finished 24-for-39 passing, with three touchdowns to go along with his 363 yards. While his turnovers put the team in tough spots, his poise in the final minutes helped Michigan State secure the win.

For Maryland, quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. put up a strong performance, completing 26 of 34 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Wide receiver Tai Felton was his favorite target, hauling in 11 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown. Felton’s back-to-back 150-yard games marked the first time a Maryland player accomplished the feat since Jermaine Lewis in 1995.

However, Maryland’s run game struggled, managing just 86 yards on 31 carries, which ultimately limited their ability to control the game when they had the lead late.

Coaching Milestones and Defensive Highlights

The win marked a significant milestone for Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith, who became the first Spartans coach to win his Big Ten debut since John L. Smith in 2003. Despite the turnovers and penalties, Smith praised his team’s resilience.

“It’s still early. It’s Game Two. We still have a lot of football left,” Smith said. “But at the same time, some of the messages we’re preaching, some of the belief that comes from finding a way on the road, resiliently, with some durability throughout the game, that echoes some of our messages.”

Maryland’s defense, while opportunistic with interceptions, was ultimately exposed by Michigan State’s big plays downfield. The Terrapins’ safety Glendon Miller had a standout game with two interceptions, extending his streak to four consecutive games with a pick. He is now just one game shy of tying the school record set by Lewis Sanders in 1999.

Looking Ahead

Michigan State improved to 2-0 on the season and will look to build on this victory when they host Prairie View A&M next week. The Spartans showed that while their offense remains a work in progress, they have the playmakers to be dangerous in the Big Ten.

Maryland, now 1-1, will regroup and prepare for a prime-time matchup against former ACC rival Virginia next Saturday. The Terrapins will need to clean up their run game and avoid costly penalties if they hope to bounce back from this tough loss.

For Michigan State, this win serves as a confidence boost, especially for a young quarterback like Chiles, who showed the ability to bounce back from mistakes and lead his team in clutch moments.

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Eric Boggs

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