College Sports

Maryland handles Michigan State 28-17

Posted October 22, 2016 7:00 am

By TODD KARPOVICH

Maryland head coach DJ Durkin and quarterback Caleb Rowe celebrate a touchdown against Michigan State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Associated Press

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - Perry Hills threw a pair of touchdown passes in his return to the lineup and Maryland kept Michigan State winless in the Big Ten with 28-17 victory Saturday night.

Maryland (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) also extended the Spartans' losing streak to five games, the longest skid under 10-year coach Mark Dantonio.

Ty Johnson led Maryland's dominant running attack with 115 yards on nine carries, while Lorenzo Harrison finished with 105 yards on 17 carries. The Terrapins amassed 447 total yards .

Michigan State redshirt freshman Brian Lewerke got his second consecutive start and went 11 for 24 with 156 yards with an interception. He also ran for 79 yards on 10 carries. LJ Scott had a big day on the ground for the Spartans finishing with 128 yards and a touchdown.

The Spartans (2-5, 0-4) took their first lead, 17-14 on a 34-yard field goal by Michael Geiger with 1:35 left in the third quarter. Johnson continued to find a holes and a 44-yard run put Maryland into Michigan State territory. Two plays later, the Terrapins retook the lead on a 2-yard run by Kenneth Goins Jr.

Hills put the game away with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Levern Jacobs with 3:23 left in the game. Hills was 21 of 27 for 200 yards.

Michigan State linebacker Riley Bullough was ejected with 4:39 left in the first quarter for targeting. That penalty helped Maryland extend a season-long 96-yard scoring drive, capped by Harrison's 8-yard run.

THE TAKEAWAY

Michigan State: The Spartans face an uphill battle for a 10th straight bowl appearance with the toughest part of the their schedule still ahead. Michigan State must still play No. 3 Michigan next week and No. 2 Ohio State (Nov. 19).

Maryland: After a 4-0 start, the Terrapins gained some much-needed momentum to avoid missing a bowl game for the second consecutive season. However, Maryland plays three ranked opponents (Michigan, Ohio State and No. 8 Nebraska) over its final five games.

UP NEXT

Michigan State hosts No. 3 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) next Saturday. The Spartans stunned Michigan 27-23 last season when safety Jalen Watts-Jackson picked up a flubbed punt and ran 38 yards for the go-ahead touchdown on the final play of the game.

Maryland travels to Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosiers (3-4, 1-3) beat the Terrapins 47-28 last season and lead the all-time series 3-1.

Maryland quarterback Perry Hills throws a pass in the first half in an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Associated Press

Maryland running back Lorenzo Harrison, center, is congratulated by quarterback Perry Hills, left, and tackle Michael Dunn after scoring a touchdown against Michigan State in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Associated Press

Michigan States' quarterback Brian Lewerke throws a pass against Maryland as Gerald Holmes blocks in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md.(AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Associated Press

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio, right, reacts to a penalty in the first half in an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) The Associated Press

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