Photo by: Rey Del Rio/MSU Athletic Communications
Post-Game Notes: Maryland
11/3/2018 9:15:00 PM | Football
• Michigan State won its 700th game in program history on Saturday with a 24-3 victory over Maryland . . . MSU is one of 27 schools in the FBS to own 700 victories . . . MSU's all-time record is 700-456-44 (.602).
• The Spartans are 8-2 all-time against Maryland, including a 3-1 record in College Park . . . the Spartans are 4-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014.
• Mark Dantonio improved to 106-48 during his tenure at MSU . . . he is three wins away from tying Duffy Daugherty (109) for the most victories in program history.
• Michigan State improved to 29-11 (.725) in November under Dantonio . . . his teams have won 23 of the last 31 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014; 3-1 in 2015; 1-3 in 2016; 3-1 in 2017; 1-0 in 2018).
• MSU is 32-16 (.667) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a 26-10 (.722) record since 2010 . . . Dantonio has won at least one road game in every Big Ten stadium.
• With six wins on the season, Michigan State is bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under Dantonio.
OFFENSE
• MSU rushed for a season-high 269 yards on 46 attempts against Maryland . . . the Spartans are 72-8 under Dantonio when rushing 40-plus times in a game . . . the 269 rushing yards were the most by MSU since it had 271 against Maryland last season on Nov. 18, 2017 . . . MSU is 87-19 when outrushing its opponent under Dantonio.
• Sophomore Connor Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards and tied his career high with 15 carries and two rushing touchdowns . . . he scored on an 18-yard TD in the first quarter and on an 80-yard TD in the fourth quarter that put MSU on top 24-3 . . . Heyward's 80-yard TD run was the longest of the season for MSU and the first Spartan rushing TD of at least 80 yards since 2014 (Delton Williams 80 yards vs. Eastern Michigan) . . . Heyward also had a career-high 208 all-purpose yards (157 rushing, 49 kick return, 2 receiving) . . . he had a season-long 49-yard kickoff return to open the second half . . . Heyward's 157 rushing yards were the most ever by a Spartan against Maryland (previous: LJ Scott with 147 yards in 2016).
• MSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the first time this season, going 79 yards on 12 plays in 6:00, capped by an 18-yard Heyward TD run.
• Sophomore wide receiver Cody White returned to action for the first time since Sept. 29 (hand injury) and caught two passes for 20 yards . . . he had a game-long 24-yard reception for a first down in the first quarter.
• After not playing quarterback last week due to an injury, Brian Lewerke returned to his starting role at Maryland, completing 11-of-20 passes for 87 yards and one interception . . . he also ran for a season-high 45 yards on nine carries, including a 22-yard run.
• Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges recorded season highs in both carries (eight) and rushing yards (36).
• Redshirt freshman fullback Max Rosenthal scored his first career touchdown after pouncing on a Heyward fumble in the end zone that made it 17-3 MSU with 4:17 left in the third quarter.
• Michigan State held a 36:56-23:04 advantage in time of possession.
DEFENSE
• Michigan State, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, held Maryland to a season-low 26 yards on the ground . . . the Terrapins were also held to a season-low 100 yards of total offense (74 passing, 26 rushing) . . . the 100 total yards were the fewest by an MSU opponent since Minnesota only had 96 on Nov. 24, 2012 . . . MSU has held seven of its nine opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season . . . it marked the first time MSU has held an opponent under 100 yards passing this season . . . the 74 passing yards were the fewest by a Spartan opponent since Rutgers had 40 on Nov. 12, 2016.
• The Spartans recorded five sacks (43 yards) and nine tackles for loss (54 yards).
• Joe Bachie recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards), three forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and recovered one of the fumbles he forced.
• Kenny Willekes tied his career high with two sacks (17 yards) and also had 2.5 tackles for loss . . . he had seven tackles overall.
• Naquan Jones registered career highs in tackles (6) and tackles for loss (2.0 for 14 yards) . . . he also was credited with his first unassisted sack in the fourth quarter.
• The Spartans forced six three-and-outs for the Maryland offense, including three straight to start the game.
• Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott saw his first action of the season after suffering a knee injury in preseason camp . . . Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, started the game and was credited with one pass break-up.
• In 154 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing 79 times (51 percent). MSU is 68-11 (.861) in those games, including a 58-6 record since 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin hit a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter . . . he is now 12-of-13 in field-goal attempts this season.
• The Spartans are 8-2 all-time against Maryland, including a 3-1 record in College Park . . . the Spartans are 4-1 against the Terrapins since Maryland joined the Big Ten in 2014.
• Mark Dantonio improved to 106-48 during his tenure at MSU . . . he is three wins away from tying Duffy Daugherty (109) for the most victories in program history.
• Michigan State improved to 29-11 (.725) in November under Dantonio . . . his teams have won 23 of the last 31 games in November (3-0 in 2010; 4-0 in 2011; 1-2 in 2012; 4-0 in 2013; 3-1 in 2014; 3-1 in 2015; 1-3 in 2016; 3-1 in 2017; 1-0 in 2018).
• MSU is 32-16 (.667) in Big Ten road games under Dantonio, including a 26-10 (.722) record since 2010 . . . Dantonio has won at least one road game in every Big Ten stadium.
• With six wins on the season, Michigan State is bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons under Dantonio.
OFFENSE
• MSU rushed for a season-high 269 yards on 46 attempts against Maryland . . . the Spartans are 72-8 under Dantonio when rushing 40-plus times in a game . . . the 269 rushing yards were the most by MSU since it had 271 against Maryland last season on Nov. 18, 2017 . . . MSU is 87-19 when outrushing its opponent under Dantonio.
• Sophomore Connor Heyward ran for a career-high 157 yards and tied his career high with 15 carries and two rushing touchdowns . . . he scored on an 18-yard TD in the first quarter and on an 80-yard TD in the fourth quarter that put MSU on top 24-3 . . . Heyward's 80-yard TD run was the longest of the season for MSU and the first Spartan rushing TD of at least 80 yards since 2014 (Delton Williams 80 yards vs. Eastern Michigan) . . . Heyward also had a career-high 208 all-purpose yards (157 rushing, 49 kick return, 2 receiving) . . . he had a season-long 49-yard kickoff return to open the second half . . . Heyward's 157 rushing yards were the most ever by a Spartan against Maryland (previous: LJ Scott with 147 yards in 2016).
• MSU scored a touchdown on its opening drive for the first time this season, going 79 yards on 12 plays in 6:00, capped by an 18-yard Heyward TD run.
• Sophomore wide receiver Cody White returned to action for the first time since Sept. 29 (hand injury) and caught two passes for 20 yards . . . he had a game-long 24-yard reception for a first down in the first quarter.
• After not playing quarterback last week due to an injury, Brian Lewerke returned to his starting role at Maryland, completing 11-of-20 passes for 87 yards and one interception . . . he also ran for a season-high 45 yards on nine carries, including a 22-yard run.
• Redshirt freshman Weston Bridges recorded season highs in both carries (eight) and rushing yards (36).
• Redshirt freshman fullback Max Rosenthal scored his first career touchdown after pouncing on a Heyward fumble in the end zone that made it 17-3 MSU with 4:17 left in the third quarter.
• Michigan State held a 36:56-23:04 advantage in time of possession.
DEFENSE
• Michigan State, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, held Maryland to a season-low 26 yards on the ground . . . the Terrapins were also held to a season-low 100 yards of total offense (74 passing, 26 rushing) . . . the 100 total yards were the fewest by an MSU opponent since Minnesota only had 96 on Nov. 24, 2012 . . . MSU has held seven of its nine opponents to under 100 yards rushing this season . . . it marked the first time MSU has held an opponent under 100 yards passing this season . . . the 74 passing yards were the fewest by a Spartan opponent since Rutgers had 40 on Nov. 12, 2016.
• The Spartans recorded five sacks (43 yards) and nine tackles for loss (54 yards).
• Joe Bachie recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss (5 yards), three forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and recovered one of the fumbles he forced.
• Kenny Willekes tied his career high with two sacks (17 yards) and also had 2.5 tackles for loss . . . he had seven tackles overall.
• Naquan Jones registered career highs in tackles (6) and tackles for loss (2.0 for 14 yards) . . . he also was credited with his first unassisted sack in the fourth quarter.
• The Spartans forced six three-and-outs for the Maryland offense, including three straight to start the game.
• Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott saw his first action of the season after suffering a knee injury in preseason camp . . . Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American, started the game and was credited with one pass break-up.
• In 154 games under Dantonio, Michigan State has held its opponents to under 100 yards rushing 79 times (51 percent). MSU is 68-11 (.861) in those games, including a 58-6 record since 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Matt Coghlin hit a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter . . . he is now 12-of-13 in field-goal attempts this season.
Players Mentioned
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | Nebraska
Sunday, October 05
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 29 2025
Monday, September 29
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | USC
Sunday, September 21
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Sep. 15 2025
Monday, September 15