East Lansing — Michigan State hasn’t done anything easy all season, so it was fitting that becoming bowl eligible was a grind.
Kicker Matt Coghlin kicked four field goals, including a 33-yarder with 2:14 left in the game to give Michigan State a 19-16 victory over Maryland before a sparse crowd at Spartan Stadium.
The victory means Michigan State (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) is bowl eligible for the 12th time in coach Mark Dantonio’s 13 years leading the Spartans.
Brian Lewerke was 30-for-40 passing for 342 yards but threw two first-half interceptions. Lewerke accounted for the Spartans’ only touchdown on a 1-yard run in the second quarter while Coghlin added field goals of 40, 36 and 32 yards.