2025 Michigan State Season Finale: First Half Recap

It wasn’t the season anyone dreamed of, hoped for, or would even wish upon their worst enemy.

Through months of pain and frustration, Spartan fans have learned just how low a once-proud program can fall. After a promising 3–0 start, the train derailed completely—off the tracks, off the bridge, and into the frozen water below.

A season defined by a record-tying eight straight Big Ten losses, an NCAA penalty impacting the next three years, and a desperate midseason quarterback change will go down as Michigan State’s worst campaign in nearly 70 years. The future remains dim with scholarship restrictions looming and no clarity on the long-term coaching direction.

But through all of it, the roster has never quit. And tonight, the Spartans carried that last shred of dignity from East Lansing down to Detroit, where they meet Maryland at Ford Field in the 2025 season finale.

Both teams enter with one game left and plenty of scars. Purdue is the only other conference opponent without a Big Ten win, and Maryland isn’t much better at 1–8. Still, Vegas favors Michigan State—so let’s break down how the first half unfolded.

First Quarter

Michigan State opened the game with one of their cleaner opening scripts of the season. A few strong runs by Davion “Tau” Tau-Tolliver and a crisp Milivojevic completion quickly advanced the ball to midfield. Maryland forced a third and long, but with pressure in his face, Milivojevic delivered a dart to Nick Marsh to keep the drive alive. Moments later, a rare clean pocket led to a defensive pass-interference call, pushing the Spartans further ahead.

Tau-Tolliver took three straight carries down to the Maryland one-yard line. On second down, Milivojevic sold a perfect play-action fake and found tight end Kai Rios for a one-yard touchdown and a 7–0 lead.

Maybe it was the Lions logo or the NFL environment, but both teams looked more organized early than their records would suggest. Maryland responded with a fast, efficient start as Malik Washington distributed the ball quickly. But after two poorly thrown deep shots stalled the drive, MSU’s defense regrouped and forced a punt.

Michigan State’s second drive began with a burst from Brandon Tullis to escape poor field position. But the momentum died quickly—highlighted by a Milivojevic third-down throw that hit Marsh in the hands for what should have been a first down. The drop proved costly, and the Spartans punted.

Maryland opened their next possession with a first down on the ground, but a 25-yard end-around was erased by a brutal holding call, setting up 1st-and-20. No matter—Maryland picked up another chunk gain on the next play. Still, the resurgent Michigan State defense, fresh off three dominant quarters last week against Iowa, stiffened again and shut out the Terps through the opening frame.

Second Quarter

The Spartans began the quarter up 7–0 and immediately added to it. Tau-Tolliver ripped off a pair of solid runs, but the highlight came moments later: a gorgeous pocket and an even better throw by Milivojevic, who hit Omari Kelly for a 61-yard catch-and-run. Tack on a Maryland penalty and a quick screen to Marsh, and MSU was set up inside the 10.

Milivojevic missed Marsh on a pressured third-down rollout, so the Spartans settled for a field goal and a 10–0 lead with 12:26 left in the half.

Momentum fully swung. The MSU defense pounced on Maryland’s next possession and forced a three-and-out.

Then Milivojevic took over.

Three sharp throws moved the Spartans right back into Maryland territory. After Tullis pushed MSU into the red zone, Milivojevic capped the drive by connecting with star sophomore Nick Marsh for a touchdown and a 17–0 lead. For the first time all season, Michigan State looked like a complete team—fitting that it came against a one-win opponent, at Ford Field, in the final game of the year.

Maryland felt the urgency immediately. Washington played with more aggression, using his legs to extend plays and orchestrate a fast-tempo attack. Despite Maryland’s fifth false start of the half, Washington found Jacob Farooq wide open in the end zone from six yards out—so open, the nearest Spartan defender might as well have been back in East Lansing. The lead shrank to 17–7.

On MSU’s next drive, Maryland’s defense finally came alive and forced a three-and-out.

The Terps kept the momentum, moving the ball effortlessly on a series of chunk plays. But with 4th-and-2 at the MSU 25, their deep shot into the end zone was smothered by excellent Spartan coverage—turnover on downs.

With 48 seconds left, Milivojevic hit Marsh for a big gain and MSU pushed quickly into the red zone. With four seconds left, Jonathan Smith opted not to kick—arguably his most aggressive call in two seasons.

It paid off.

Milivojevic tossed his third touchdown of the half, giving Michigan State a commanding 24–7 lead heading into the locker room.