MSU overcame a slow start Saturday night against Nebraska but now leads 17-13 at the half. Here are the top takeaways from the first half:

Nebraska stuffs MSU on fourth down

MSU received the kick-off and was able to drive into Nebraska territory with help from a 43-yard rush by sophomore running back Gerald Holmes. With the ball at the Huskers’ 23-yard line, the Spartans elected to go for it on fourth and 1 instead of kicking a field goal. The Nebraska defense stuffed freshman running back LJ Scott and the Spartans turned the ball over on downs.

Nebraska scores first

The Spartans’ offense struggled early and punted to the Huskers with 11:11 remaining in the first quarter. Nebraska was able to put together a 9-play, 38-yard drive and capped it off with a 44-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Drew Brown, bringing the score to 3-0, Nebraska.

… and second

The Cornhuskers took over with 5:15 remaining in the first quarter after another MSU punt. It took Nebraska 3:28 seconds on seven plays to drive 80 yards for a 38-yard touchdown reception by junior wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp. The Huskers’ junior quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw for 59 yards on 4-for-4 attempts on the drive, putting his team up 10-0.

Geiger gets the Spartans on the board

The Spartans got their first points of the game on a 46-yard field goal by junior kicker Michael Geiger. The scoring drive lasted five plays and drove 42 yards in 1:33. Holmes had a 25-yard carry on the drive to bring the Spartans into Nebraska territory.

Kings’ reverses field, scores MSU’s first touchdown

On third down and four to go from the Nebraska 34-yard line, senior quarterback Connor Cook threw a short pass over the middle to senior wide receiver Macgarrett Kings Jr. Kings did the rest, as he reversed field and ran the catch in for MSU’s first touchdown of the game, making the score 10-10 with 11:35 remaining in the half.

Nebraska takes a 3-point lead

With 4:21 remaining in the half, the Huskers’ Brown kicked another field goal (43 yards) which arguably would have been good from 60 yards-out. The kick capped off a 3:04 drive which lasted eight plays for 35 yards, bringing the score to 13-10, Nebraska.

MSU takes the lead before halftime

The Spartans were able to grab the lead going into halftime, 17-13, on a 18-yard receiving touchdown by Kings. The pass was Cook’s second touchdown pass of the half, both coming on third down.