For the Maryland Terrapins, it was new beginnings for this football season after QB Taulia Tagovailoa used up his eligibility, and the Terps chose Billy Edwards Jr. as their QB1 for the 2024 season. They did a great job of keeping their QB1 choice as a secret until the first offensive play last week when Edwards stepped into the huddle that led to the Terps destroying Connecticut at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland by a final score of 50-7. Now, the Terps have their first Big-10 matchup with a home game with Michigan State.
Maryland has had recent success against Michigan State, winning their last two matchups. This trend could give the edge for Maryland, especially considering these games were part of a broader narrative where Maryland had been improving their standing in the Big-Ten.
Coming off a strong Terps’ start with a 50-7 victory over UConn, Maryland enters this game with momentum. They’ve shown that they can put points on the board with Edwards at quarterback. The team ranked high in total yards and particularly excelling in passing yards. The Terrapins have also demonstrated a robust defense, especially in terms of points allowed per game.
Overall, the Terps’ offense piled up 629 yards with 381 coming through the air and 248 on the ground. The Terps finished Week One ranked first in the Big Ten in total offense and passing offense and second in both rushing offense and scoring offense. It was the the third time in the last 25 seasons where the Terps had at least 375 passing yards and 200 rushing yards in a game, also doing so on October 30, 2020 against Minnesota and September 25, 2004 at Duke.
Maryland returned five starters on the offensive side of the ball in 2024, including All-Big Ten selections in running back Roman Hemby and wide receivers Tai Felton and Kaden Prather. OL Kyle Long and TE Preston Howard also return. Howard caught his first career touchdown pass in Maryland’s win over Auburn in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
Last week, Maryland’s defense held UConn to just 88 rushing yards and forced either a punt or turnover on 11 of 15 UConn drives. Seven starters returned for Maryland’s defense, including Third-Team All-Big Ten selection Ruben Hyppolite II and Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection Quashon Fuller. Other returners include defensive linemen Jordan Phillips and Tommy Akingbesote, linebacker Kellan Wyatt and defensive backs Dante Trader Jr. and Glendon Miller.
“When you start thinking big picture about our team, we’ve been laying this foundation for this year’s team from the time we got here. It’s the start of a new Maryland football legacy. It didn’t start in last week’s game. It’s a continuation of what we’ve tried to do over the last five years here as a program. Each game this season is another step towards us being able to do that.”
— head coach Michael Locksley said on Tuesday
With the Terps’ win last week against UConn in their non-conference game, it was the13th-straight non-conference season opening win. Also that win extended the Terps’ non-conference win streak to 13. Coach Locksley so far is 15-1 in non-conference games.
Maryland has won eight games in back-to-back seasons, and that is a testament to the team’s consistency and improvement, especially given the historical context since their last such achievement was in 2002-03.
Maryland’s record: 1-0, 0-0 Big Ten
Michigan State’s record: 1-0, 0-0 Big Ten
All-time series: Michigan State up 10-4, and Maryland has won the previous 2 matchups
BetUS Sportsbook : Maryland favored -9.5, O/U 44.5
Kickoff: Saturday, Sept 7, 3:30 EDT
Stadium: SECU Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network, with Jason Ross Jr. and Anthony Herron
Streaming TV: Big Ten
Radio: Audacy Radio App / SiriusXM 136; 105.7 FM (Balt.) / 980 AM (D.C.) — Johnny Holliday (play-by-play), Steve Suter (analyst), LaMont Jordan (sideline)
