Michigan State ends 2025 season with a 38-28 win over Maryland to stop losing streak

In what was the 2025 season finale for both Michigan State and Maryland, as neither team is bowl eligible, the Spartans ended the campaign on a high note with a 38-28 victory over the Terrapins at Ford Field in Detroit.

The win snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Spartans, and Michigan State earned its first and only Big Ten win of the season. MSU finishes the 2025 campaign with an overall record of 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten). Meanwhile, Maryland ends the season on an eight-game skid to also finish at 4-8 (1-8).

Michigan State got the scoring going early, driving 70 yards in 10 plays on its first possession. Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic found tight end Kai Rios for a one-yard touchdown. It was Rios' first catch as a Spartan.

After the extra point from kicker Martin Connington, MSU took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.

The teams traded punts on the next few possessions, but the Spartans found the scoreboard again early in the second quarter when Connington added a 25-yard field goal to make the score 10-0 in MSU's favor.

The Michigan State defense forced a quick three-and-out on Maryland's next possession and got the ball back via punt. Six plays later, the MSU offense got into the end zone once again when Milivojevic found wide receiver Nick Marsh for a 15-yard touchdown.

After the extra point, MSU led Maryland 17-0 with 8:40 left to play in the second quarter.

Maryland immediately answered on its next possession, however, driving 75 yards on eight plays. Quarterback Malik Washington finished off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalil Farooq.

With 5:43 remaining on the clock before halftime, Maryland cut Michigan State's lead to 17-7.

Michigan State found the scoreboard once again before halftime, though. Milivojevic connected with tight end Jack Velling on a nine-yard touchdown with four seconds left in the second quarter.

Velling's impressive catch and Connington's extra point extended Michigan State's lead over Maryland 24-7 at the break.

Maryland attempted to storm back in the second half, however. The Terrapins opened the third quarter with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a five-yard touchdown run by running back DeJuan Williams. The extra point was good, making the score 24-14 in MSU's advantage with 11:36 to go in third quarter.

Michigan State quickly punted on its next possession, and Maryland capitalized. The Terrapins found the end zone once again when Washington hit wide receiver Shaleak Knotts on a 25-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good.

All of a sudden, the score was Michigan State, 24, Maryland, 21, with 6:26 to go in the third quarter.

With momentum swinging to Maryland, Michigan State needed a spark. The Spartans got just that, as wide receiver Alante Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to the house. Brown's touchdown and Connington's extra point extended MSU's lead back out to double-digits at 31-21 with 6:12 to play in the third quarter.

Maryland would not go away, though. A 40-yard rush by Williams helped set up another Maryland touchdown. The Terps' drive was capped by a 24-yard touchdown pass from Washington to Farooq. The extra point was true.

The score was 31-28 in MSU's favor with 5:06 remaining in the third quarter.

Maryland had a chance to tie the game at 31-31 early in the forth quarter, but kicker Sean O'Haire missed a 27-yard field goal attempt wide left with 7:38 left to play.

Michigan State had a chance to drain some time of the clock. Running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver had a 38-yard run to start the possession, but the drive ended in disaster when Milivojevic threw an interception to Maryland defensive back Jamare Glasker.

Maryland took over the ball with 3:22 left to play. But the MSU defense forced a turnover on downs when Washington was sacked by Spartan cornerback Aydan West on fourth down.

MSU took control of the ball 3:01 left at the Maryland 35-yard line and would get the put-away touchdown after being helped out by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty called on Maryland. With 1:56 left on the clock, Milivojevic hit wide receiver Omari Kelly on fourth down for a 10-yard touchdown.

Michigan State led Maryland 38-28 with less than two minutes to play.

The Michigan State defense ended things on Maryland's next possession when defensive back Aveon Grose intercepted Washington. The Spartans took over and after a couple of kneel-downs, earned their first victory since Sept. 13.

With the 2025 season over for the Spartans, all eyes turn to MSU's coaching situation, as head coach Jonathan Smith's future with the program is unclear.