Takeaways from Maryland football’s 38-28 season-finale loss to Michigan State

Maryland football wrapped its 2025 season with a game at Ford Field against Michigan State.

The Terps found themselves in a 17-0 deficit early but closed to within a field goal in the third quarter. From there, a kick return touchdown by Michigan State was matched by Jalil Farooq’s second touchdown, the first multi-touchdown game by a Terp since Sept. 24.

But they faltered late, with a missed field goal followed by a late touchdown sealing the eight-game losing streak — and a repeat of last season’s record.

Here are three takeaways from the season finale.

Bottom of the Big Ten battle

In a twist that few fans of either apathetic fanbase would have expected, Maryland against Michigan State was one of the most exciting games of the Big Ten’s final slate — largely due to the freshman vs. redshirt freshman quarterback battle.

Quarterback Malik Washington went 38-of-61 for 459 yards — the second-most by a Maryland quarterback in a single game ever — and three touchdowns, with his interception on the last meaningful play of the season an anomaly. He saved his best game for last.

So did Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic, though. In his fourth-ever start, the former three-star recruit had a five-star day, going 27-of-39 for 292 yards, four touchdown passes and an interception.

Watching such an exciting game, it’s easy to wonder where these teams’ performances were hiding all season. In reality, this matchup was one perfectly made to bring that level out of each team.

Neither had felt success since late September. Maryland had allowed 30.9 points per game in conference play, while Michigan State’s figure was 32.6 points allowed per game. The Terps have been walking wounded all season, with many players battling through injuries, and Michigan State’s pregame injury list seemed to stretch on forever.

Put simply, two of the worst defenses in the Big Ten were alternating field time, with two offenses desperate to fight for a glimmer of pride. Now, it is the Terps that have to do some soul-searching.

With Michigan State’s losing streak broken, it is Maryland that has the second-longest winless run in the conference. The Terps have lost eight straight Big Ten games, only ahead of Purdue, which is at 11 — no other team in the conference has lost more than four in a row.

“This year wasn’t good enough, let’s start with that,” head coach Michael Locksley said. “Did not meet expectations that any of us set inside of Jones-Hill House. Not good enough, not coached good enough, not played well enough, and that starts with me.”

Maryland still has a deep-ball problem

One of the things that made Maryland easy to beat in 2024 was its propensity to blow assignments in the secondary. Long shots down the field could turn the tide in an instant, forcing the Terps into deficits they couldn’t claw out of.

In 2025, the deep game has continued to be killer for Maryland — but on the other side of the ball.

Washington has shown flashes that undeniably make him — and Maryland — an enticing watch next season. However, through the last eight games of the season, Washington has gone 20-of-65 on passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield — including an astounding 3-of-14 mark against Michigan State.

For comparison, opponents have completed 24 of their 47 such passes across the same timespan.

Some of that comes down to the receivers; drops have been notable. One of the best-thrown deep balls of the day came on the pivotal second-quarter 4th-and-2 that Shaleak Knotts couldn’t haul in.

It feels as though the issue could extend beyond receiving personnel, though. At times, Washington has been inconsistent with his footwork.

For a freshman quarterback, that is alright — improving his feet and his touch with the moonballs can come with practice. And he certainly overcame that particular struggle, consistently keeping his team in games throughout the year.

“What I’ve learned about this team, they don’t quit,” Locksley said. “These guys keep continuing to fight. So to have that foundation gives me the hope that if we keep the right guys and we bring the right guys in, and we do a better job of coaching … we’ll see this program transform.”

What comes next?

Maryland football knows who its head coach will be. Beyond that, not much is known. With 279 days until Maryland football kicks off its 2026 season, at least 280 questions need to be answered between now and then.

Fifteen players in the class of 2026 have officially committed to Maryland, giving the Terps the 51st-best upcoming recruiting class, per 247Sports. Three locked in or flipped following athletic director Jim Smith’s affirmation that Locksley would return for his eighth season — and more have to come. Retaining Zion Elee is a must, too.

In moments this season, Locksley has rationalized the team’s lack of success by pointing out that Maryland has several freshmen playing in key positions. The inexperience, he has reasoned, is a big difference-maker in tight games.

With that in mind, then, it may be less important which players enter as freshmen. Instead, the most value may come from the players which enter through the transfer portal.

With more funds supposedly available to Locksley as part of his retention, it remains to be seen how that transfer portal action will play out. Some of Maryland’s transfers this season were success stories; others, less so.

The transfer portal officially opens Jan. 2, just over a month after the season finale. Several players will make their decisions far before then, though. Getting over the taste of a defeat to previously conference-winless Michigan State in that time could be difficult for potential incoming players.

At the same time, the transfer portal is two-sided. Getting over the taste of a second straight 4-8 season may be a task some of Maryland’s best find too difficult to overcome. Assurances from Locksley and players that the locker room is in a better position, that this is not the “same old Maryland,” will be tested.

“We’ve got to retain this roster, which I expect us to be able to do,” Locksley said. “I’m confident that we’ll get this program bounced back the way we all want it to be.”

Locksley has a plan for the program. Smith saw his vision and agreed with it. Time will tell how it plays out.