Coming off consecutive blowout losses, the Maryland football team (4-2, 1-2 Big Ten) is tied with Michigan State (2-4, 0-3) at the break.

Here’s what you need to know from the opening 30 minutes.

1) Perry Hills returns

A shoulder injury against Penn State forced quarterback Perry Hills to miss the second half against the Nittany Lions and last week’s loss to Minnesota , but the redshirt senior, who coach DJ Durkin said was a game-time decision Thursday, returned as the starting signal caller in the Terps’ game with Michigan State on Saturday night.

Maryland looked more in sync with Hills on the field compared to quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome, who made his first-career start last week against Minnesota and managed an offense that gained 100 yards of total offense through three quarters.

Hills stood on the sideline during the 31-10 loss to the Golden Gophers but managed a productive first half against Michigan State, competing 14 of his 18 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.

While many of Hills completions came on short and intermediate throws, Hills threw a 36-yard second-quarter touchdown to wide receiver D.J. Moore, who ran wide open in the middle of the field.

The score put Maryland up, 14-7 with about six minutes left in the half.

2) Terps struggle stopping the run

In his weekly press conference Wednesday, defensive coordinator Andy Buh said the Terps’ front seven played one of its best games against Minnesota. Aside from allowing a 70-yard touchdown run, the unit held the Golden Gophers to 3.6 yards per carry.

Saturday, Michigan State averaged 6.5 yards per rush. Entering the game last in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (136.2), the Spartans ran for 163 yards on 25 carries.

Running backs LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes took turns gashing the Terps defense. Scott, who finished with 91 yards in the first half, scampered for a 48-yard touchdown run for Michigan State’s first score in the second quarter, while Holmes accumulated 58 yards on his 11 carries over the opening 30 minutes.

Holmes’ one-yard touchdown right before the break helped the Spartans tie the game at 14.

3) Spartans’ penalty woes

Maryland hasn’t been able to stop Michigan State’s rushing attack, and Spartans quarterback Brian Lewerke has completed 6 of his 10 passes for 85 yards. Michigan State has scoring drives of 74 and 85 yards, respectively.

The Spartans would likely be leading, however, if penalties didn’t stall their drives and keep Maryland’s alive.

On the Terps’ opening drive, Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough had two 15-yard penalties, the second of which was a targeting call, resulting in his ejection. The Spartans jumped offside later in the drive, which ended with freshman running back Lorenzo Harrison’s eight-yard touchdown run to put Maryland ahead. Michigan State also had an offensive pass interference penalty that wiped away a 4th-and-3 conversion inside Maryland’s 30-yard line.

Michigan State finished the first half with six penalties for 69 yards.