Michigan State catches up and beats Maryland with a last-second field goal

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland – Jonathan Smith won his Big Ten debut and it was a memorable performance.

Michigan State (2-0, 1-0 Big Ten) caught up in the fourth quarter and Jonathan Kim scored a 37-yard field goal with one second left for a 27-24 win at Maryland (1-1, 0-1) on Saturday.

The Terrapins had the momentum and a chance to take a two-point lead with less than five minutes left, but missed a field goal and the underdog Spartans capitalized with two late points. Aidan Chiles scored a 77-yard touchdown on a pass from freshman receiver Nick Marsh and Kim made the game-winning kick.

It was the second week in a row that Michigan State survived a performance plagued by turnovers and penalties, this time in a sloppy and exciting game. In his second career start, Chiles finished the game completing 24 of 39 passes for 363 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Marsh had a standout performance in just his second college game, making eight catches for 194 yards and a touchdown. Montorie Foster and Jaron Glover each caught a touchdown, while Nathan Carter and Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams combined for 21 carries for 105 yards.

Maryland's Billy Edwards Jr. completed 26 of 34 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Tai Felton caught 11 balls for 152 yards and one score, keeping the Terrapins from winning.

After scoring 50 points in a season-opening win last week, Maryland got the ball early in the game and went on a 14-play offensive in which it converted all four third-down attempts. Edwards caught a pass from Felton for a 15-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

The Spartans countered with a touchdown on their first possession as Chiles made short throws to start with and Carter ran for 30 yards. Chiles capped the drive with a 9 yard touchdown to Montorie Foster to tie the game.

Michigan State finally got a stop on the third attempt, but quickly gave the ball back. Chiles threw the ball to Nick Marsh and was intercepted by Glendon Miller, who returned it to the 17. Two plays later, the Terrapins scored on the short field when Edwards ran 7 yards for a 14-7 lead in the final minute of the first quarter.

Chiles responded to his third interception of the season by leading an 11-play, 75-yard drive. After another overthrow to start, he finally made a deep throw, hitting Jaron Glover for a 34-yard touchdown to tie the score at 10:07 of the second quarter.

Michigan State got the ball back with just over two minutes left in the first half and converted two third-down attempts as they crossed the halfway line. Jonathan Kim's 55-yard field goal attempt went wide left, but an offside call against Maryland gave him a second chance and he hit the goal posts from 50 yards out. That sent the Spartans to the locker room with their first lead of the game (17-14).

They had a chance to extend the lead on their first possession of the second half after making some good plays. Chiles had tight end Michael Masunas free in the end zone, but he missed the target and was intercepted for the second time in the game. The Terrapins again converted the loss into points, scoring a 45-yard field goal to tie the game again.

An interception by Michigan State safety Nikai Martinez was negated by a questionable pass interference by Charles Brantley, which proved costly. On the first snap of the fourth quarter, a botched coverage led to Dylan Wade catching a 28-yard touchdown pass completely free and the Terrapins regained the lead, 24-17.

On the next play, Chiles was on the field to intercept a punt and threw the ball deep up the middle, giving Marsh a 57-yard gain. The Spartans followed with a false start and two negative running plays before another turnover. Chiles was under pressure and the ball appeared to slip out of his hand as he attempted to throw it, and it hung in the air, giving Miller his second interception of the game.

The Terrapins gave it back with their first turnover of the game when Brantley intercepted a deflected pass, but the Spartans took a three-point lead for the second time in the game. Maryland had a chance to bring the game to two points, but Howes missed right field on a 41-yard field goal attempt with 4:22 left in the game. One play later, Chiles went upfield to Marsh again, this time for a 77-yard touchdown as the Spartans tied the game again with their first touchdown of the half.

After Michigan State made a stop, Marsh was called for pass interference on third down, extending the drive and leading to Kim's game-winning kick.