Terps Defense Causes Havoc Leading to 31-9 Victory Over Michigan State
The motto for the Terps program in the offseason was to flip the script due to them going back to the historic script uniforms the team used to wear every game. Well, this week, the Terps flipped the script and ended up coming out to a 21-0 lead and never looked back.
In the last two games, the Terps had gone down 14-0 before storming back and winning the games. However this week they turned things around and ended up scoring a touchdown on their first three possessions while the defense was locking the Spartans down and pitching a shutout through the first 24 minutes of the game. Taulia Tagovailoa accounted for all three of the Terps touchdowns in the first half thanks to a rushing touchdown from one yard out on a QB sneak and two passing touchdowns with one to both Tyrese Chambers and Sean Greeley giving both Chambers and Greeley their first touchdowns as Terps.
The score would be 21-3 heading into the half and the Spartans simply were not taking advantage of golden opportunities they were getting on offense. On their first possession, they got the ball down to the goal line however the Terps would force a turnover on downs. Then on their last drive of the first half, the Soartans got into field goal range but the Terps wound up blocking the kick keeping it a 21-3 ball game.
The Terps defense kept up their dominance throughout the rest of the game forcing a total of five turnovers and recording three sacks as well. The Terps offense however was not able to keep up their dominance in the second half only scoring ten more points. In the first half, Tagovailoa seemed to have hurt his right hand and it could have possibly affected how the offense played in the second half. It was not until late in the fourth quarter when Tagovailoa would connect with Octavian Smith on a tunnel screen that the Terps would score another touchdown and seal the win.
This week’s players of the game are Taulia Tagovailoa and Beau Brade. After missing last week against Virginia, Brade got the turnover party started with an interception. Brade would then go on to lead the team in total tackles with 10 including a tackle for loss as well. Tagovailoa finished the day going 21/36 with 223 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and an interception, as well as having five rushed for 37 yards and a rushing touchdown.
This was the Terps first win in East Lansing since 1950, as well as the first time the Terps have beat Michigan State in back to back match ups. The Terps will look to become 2-0 for the first time in conference play since joining the Big Ten as well as being 5-0 for the first time since 2001 when they take on Indiana next week. The game is set for a 3:30PM EST kick off time and will be airing on the Big Ten Network.
