Maryland closes out ‘disappointing’ season against Michigan State looking to end losing streak

After a predictable yet still numbing rout by No. 18 Michigan in its final home game, Maryland will stay in a Great Lakes state of mind as it finishes a disappointing season in Detroit on Saturday against Michigan State.

“Obviously, disappointing. Disappointing where we are today, but still really encouraged … we need to finish this iteration the right way as best as we possibly can, to send our seniors out the right way,” Maryland coach Mike Locksley said Tuesday. “We have a chance to write our own ending to a really tough year.”

The Terrapins’ current seven-game losing streak is tied for the second-longest in program history, sharing ignominy with Locksley’s first team in 2019, which lost the same amount in a row to finish its season.

“Losing games doesn’t make you a loser. It means you didn’t reach the outcome you wanted at that point,” Locksley said.

A 45-20 loss to the Wolverines last Saturday ensured a second-straight losing season for Maryland, but to a man, players stressed that this team remains different than 2024, a group Locksley admitted that he lost amid the lack of success.

“Last year, there was a lot of arguing across the ball during practice, especially in the locker room. There wasn’t the unity we have this year,” Maryland center Michael Hershey said. “I mean, guys care about each other. We’re here for each other … Last year, it felt like the season would never end, to be honest. But this year, it’s like, wow, it’s already our last game.”

Like Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten), the moribund Spartans’ season has taken a similar tack. Both schools started undefeated before beginning a Big Ten slide — with Michigan State’s stretching to eight after a walk-off field goal loss to Iowa last week.

“I mean, kind of like looking at yourself in the mirror. This is a team that’s lost some really close games … they haven’t had a lot of things fall their way this season,” Locksley said of the Spartans (3-8, 0-8). “But when you look at them on offense, their quarterback, Aidan Chiles, if he’s able to play, he’s one of those guys that you have to account for in how you game plan.”

In his first season as a starter in 2024, Chiles led the Spartans to a walk-off Week 2 win at Maryland, 27-24, behind a 363 yard, three touchdown passing performance. The junior, however, has been benched at times this season and has missed the last two games with a foot injury. His replacement, freshman Alessio Milivojevic, threw for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception last week. 

“The guy that stepped in a week ago stepped in admirably, threw the ball well, really gave them a chance to win the game,” Locksley said. “And I expect them to come into this game much like us, wanting to end it the right way.”

The game is indoors at Ford Field as part of a football weekend that will see the NFL’s Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers in their traditional Thanksgiving Day game as well as two days of state high school football championships. 

“It’s amazing, man, it’s amazing. It’s a dream come true,” Maryland defensive end Zahir Mathis said. “You know, I never was acquitted to be able to play in an actual NFL stadium. So it’s a dream come true for me. I’m glad to be proud to be playing in it.”

Maryland’s trip is its first to the Motor City since a 2016 Quick Lane Bowl appearance.

“Typically, you go to Detroit this time of year, weather is a factor. Wind is a factor,” Locksley said. “It’s ideal conditions for a team like us, which needs all the work we can get to be able to go out and play to the best of our ability in ideal conditions.”

Following the game, Locksley will quickly move his focus to National Signing Day, the early period of which begins Dec. 3. 

“As the clocks hit zero against Michigan State,” Locksley said, “our offseason starts immediately.”

Five-star defensive end and top-three ranked national recruit Zion Elee of Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy is expected to make official his commitment to the Terrapins that day, which would make him the highest-rated signee in program history.

“We’ve got 48 hours to make sure that the recruiting part — we talk about retention, we also have to do recruiting — and to me, we’re off to a pretty solid start with that,” Locksley said. “And there’ll be some surprises, as always, as we try to build this thing for the ‘26 season to be our best.”