Maryland players expect Michigan State to be its best in Big Ten opener at Spartan Stadium

During practice this week, Maryland coaches have been stressing to their football team that Michigan State will be vastly different in the Big Ten opener at Spartan Stadium than it was on film in an embarrassing loss to Washington. That message, it appears, is being taken seriously based on comments made by Maryland football players after practice on Wednesday.

“We know that the Spartan defense is going to come out and play hard,” junior running back Colby McDonald said. “They are not going to beat themselves. They are going to come out and they are going to know their keys. They are going to try and blitz us. We know all of that. We have to be prepared at all times, just like we are playing a Big Ten Championship.”

Maryland’s offense has started slower than head coach Mike Locksley would have liked to this point in the season. Ahead of the Big Ten opener, The Terps are placing heavy emphasis on playing a complete game at Michigan State. Last Friday night at home against Virginia, Maryland fell behind 14-0 before scoring 40 straight points in a 40-14 victory.

“It’s really everyone being on the same page and everyone doing their job,” Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa said. “Coaches are going to have a good gameplan. For us, from the start, we are going to have to come out firing off the ball. Just playing fast. In practice, that’s what we’ve been working on. It’s more of mentality thing. We’ve got to come out firing.”

McDonald who leads Maryland in yards-per-carry (7.9) through three games is the part of the three-prong tailback rotation that includes Roman Hemby and Antwain Littleton II. Hemby leads the group in carries (40), rushing yards (403), and touchdowns (four). He is also the most accomplished receiver of the bunch to this point in the season.

Michigan State faces a Maryland rushing attack that ranks just outside the Top 50 in yards per game (176.0). A near 1,000-yard rusher last season, Hemby is getting the bulk of Maryland’s tailback carries. Both McDonald and Littleton have upped play from last season.

“All camp they were pushing us and telling us that we are going to need to be good in this run game,” McDonald said. “Our running backs coach was saying we’re going to need all of us to be successful this season. I feel like we compliment each other.”

Offensively, Maryland is expecting the Michigan State defense to show a variety of different blitzes.

“It’s nothing we haven’t seen in camp, and it’s nothing that we’re not prepared for,” McDonald said. “We just have to stay focused and locked in mentally to everything that they throw at us.”

Ignoring noise from the Michigan State fans in Spartan Stadium is something that Maryland players are determined to do.

“They are going to try and get our attention,” McDonald said. “They are going to try and keep us from being locked in by saying whatever. We’ve just got to lock in as a team and not pay attention to them. We have to have each other’s backs. We’re not playing against the fans.”

“Michigan State is a crazy place,” added Tagovailoa. “The last time I went there, and it was cold too, fans were out there with no shirts. Amped up, ready for the game. It get’s challenging when you are out there on the field with the defense and everything and they are yelling and you are trying to make adjustments. That is the biggest challenge.”

Outside linebacker Donnell Brown, a two-time FCS All-American at St. Francis (PA), believes discipline will be key on defense against the Spartans.

“They do a lot of shifts and they run to the boundary a lot,” said Brown, who leads the team with two interceptions. “This week is really important as far as starting out in the Big Ten fast.”

Brown is looking forward to checking out Michigan State in person after hearing what Maryland coaches and players with experience playing at Spartan Stadium have told him about the environment.

“I used to love traveling when I was at St. Francis,” Brown said. “It’s nice to go to different environments and different states. I remember when we played Eastern Michigan, but now we are playing Michigan State. That’s crazy.”

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