COLLEGE PARK — For two-plus seasons, Maryland junior wide receiver Daniel Adams mainly watched from the sideline as other receivers played roles in Maryland's offense.
But on Saturday, he caught a 20-yard touchdown pass that cut the Terps' deficit to 9-7 midway through the second quarter.
The catch was Adams' first since transferring to Maryland from New Mexico after the 2011 season.
Big returns
Maryland sophomore Will Likely has been a threat on punt returns since his freshman season last year, consistently using his speed and vision to break off game-altering runbacks.
On Saturday, he proved capable of making the same impact on kick returns.
Likely had a 42-yard return in the first quarter and later had a 52-yard kickoff return to Michigan State's 41-yard line, which set up Adams' touchdown.
End zone
Former Maryland men's basketball coach Gary Williams, a recent Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, was honored after the first quarter. … The Terps defense played mostly well during the first half, but free safety Anthony Nixon had two lapses that led to big plays for Michigan State. Nixon, who dropped a potential interception early, was beaten for a 50-yard pass play in the first quarter that set up a field goal. Nixon later missed a tackle that allowed the Spartans to turn a short pass into a 62-yard gain. The play went to Maryland's 3-yard line and set up a touchdown run by running back Jeremy Langford.