Post-Game Notes: Maryland

Nov. 14, 2015

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• Michigan State leads the all-time series against Maryland, 6-1, including a 4-1 record in Spartan Stadium. Saturday's game marked Maryland's first appearance in East Lansing since 1950.

• Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has produced a 50-12 record (.806) in home games since 2007. With its 24-7 victory over Maryland, MSU extended its current home winning streak to seven games. The Spartans are 35-6 (.854) since 2010 and 19-1 (.950) since 2013.

• Michigan State has won 22 of its last 24 games against Big Ten opponents, dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale, including 17 wins by double-figures.

• MSU has won 62 of its last 77 games (62-15; .805), dating back to the beginning of the 2010 season. In addition, the Spartans have won 35 of their last 39 games (.897), dating back to the 2012 regular-season finale. MSU has won 33 games since the beginning of 2013 (33-4 record), third most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision during that period. The Spartans are bowl eligible for a school-record ninth straight year.

• Since 2010, MSU has recorded 37 regular-season Big Ten victories, the most of any team in the conference. (Note: Ohio State has won 40 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season.) Michigan State is 37-9 (.804) in Big Ten regular-season games since 2010.

• Since 2008, MSU has recorded 47 Big Ten regular-season victories, tied for the most of any team in the conference with Ohio State (Note: OSU has won 54 games, but had to vacate seven victories following the 2010 season).

• Michigan State is 49-12 (.803) as a ranked team in the AP Poll under Mark Dantonio.

• The Spartans still have scored at least 24 points in 25 consecutive games, which is the longest active streak in the NCAA FBS (Baylor has an active streak of 24-straight games and plays against Oklahoma Saturday night).

• Michigan State held its second opponent below 300 total yards, as Maryland managed 289 yards total offense on 73 plays. The Spartan defense allowed a season-low 7 points, while shutting the Terrapins out over the last three quarters. Michigan State also recorded a season-best five takeaways (3 interceptions, 2 fumbles) and scored 17 points off Maryland turnovers.

• Thanks to Riley Bullough's 44-yard interception return in the second quarter, Michigan State has now scored 24 defensive touchdowns under head coach Mark Dantonio (since 2007). The Spartans have posted two defensive TDs in 2015 (RJ Williamson: 64-yard fumble return vs. Air Force).

• With three receptions for 27 yards against Maryland, senior Aaron Burbridge became the seventh different Spartan (ninth time) to eclipse the 1,000-yard receiving milestone in a season. Through 10 games, Burbridge has 65 catches for 1,021 yards. His 65 receptions (tied for eighth) and 1,021 receiving yards (eighth) rank among the top single-season totals in MSU history.

• Sophomore Gerald Holmes led the Spartans in rushing for the second-straight game and third time this season, gaining 83 yards on 18 carries against Maryland. Holmes closed out Saturday's scoring with his sixth rushing touchdown of the season, a 3-yard run behind right guard with 7:20 left in the third quarter.

• Fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook, the winningest quarterback in school history, improved to 32-4 record (.889) as the starter, including a 21-2 (.913) mark against Big Ten opponents.

• Junior Tyler O'Connor came off the bench to complete 6-of-11 throws for 44 yards against Maryland, including a 10-yard touchdown strike to Macgarrett Kings Jr. with 6:52 left in the first quarter. His 11 pass attempts represent a career high (previous high: 10 vs. Youngstown State, 2013). O'Connor directed TD drives of 50 yards (10 plays) in the first quarter and 62 yards (11 plays) in the third quarter.

• Sophomore safety Montae Nicholson recorded a career-high nine tackles (5 solos, 4 assists) to go along with his third career interception against Maryland.

• Sophomore nose tackle Malik McDowell set career highs for tackles (8) and tackles for loss (4.5 for 14 yards) against Maryland. His 4.5 tackles for loss are the eighth-best single-game total in MSU history. McDowell also was credited with a half sack (2 yards) and forced fumble.

• Junior linebacker Riley Bullough recorded seven tackles (3 solos, 4 assists) and scored his first career touchdown against Maryland, returning an interception 44 yards to give Michigan State the lead for good at 14-7 with 2:07 left in the second quarter. It marked Bullough's fourth career interception and second of the season. Bullough was credited with a tackle for loss (4 yards), including a half sack (3 yards), against the Terrapins.

• Red-shirt freshman Jake Hartbarger set career highs for punts (7), punting yards (297) and punts inside the 20 (4) against Maryland. Hartbarger averaged 42.4 yards on seven punts against the Terrapins.