MSU (2-2, 0-2 Big Ten) returned home following a loss to Indiana and was greeted in a non-conference affair with BYU (2-3, Independent). At the half, MSU leads the Cougars 7-3, carried through the half by defensive stops and an impressive first drive.
That first drive saw the Spartans execute 15 plays and take 7:03 of the clock, the longest drive numbers of the season for MSU in those categories. They went 72 yards and capped off the touchdown drive with an 8-yard run from junior Gerald Holmes, who got the start over sophomore LJ Scott.
Senior quarterback Tyler O’Connor went 6-for-8 on the first possession for MSU’s offense, including two third down conversions and one fourth down conversion all through the air. O’Connor finished the half throwing only one more pass –– 6-for-9 for 48 yards.
Holmes ran well for MSU in the first half, particularly on their first and third offensive possessions. Holmes finished the half with 53 yards rushing and one touchdown on 12 attempts. Scott wound up with just three carries for nine yards.
Defensively, MSU held BYU to just three points by stopping them on third and fourth down. The Cougars were 4-of-9 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth. Both fourth down conversion attempts happened inside the MSU 30-yard line, one of which was a run stuffed on 4th and inches from the MSU 3-yard line.
The Spartans had a number of changes in their lineups, especially up front. Senior Kodi Kieler started at left tackle over sophomore David Beedle and redshirt-freshman Tyler Higby took over for sixth-year senior Brandon Clemons at left guard. Clemons wound up starting at defensive tackle with junior Malik McDowell suspended for the first half and redshirt-freshman Raequan Williams injured.
Overall, the Spartans were subbing different lineman on the defensive front for the first half, trying to find the right combination. They contributed to stopping BYU on fourth down in its first drive, and the defense held star running back Jamaal Williams to 49 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
On the injury front, sophomore cornerback Tyson Smith started over senior Darian Hicks, who left the Indiana game with a hip injury. Hicks did not see the field in the first half for the Spartans. MSU was led defensively by junior safety Montae Nicholson (eight tackles, one for loss) and linebacker Chris Frey (seven tackles, quarterback hurry).
BYU quarterback Taysom Hill finished the half going 10-17 with 88 yards. The Cougars were led defensively by linebacker Fred Warner with five tackles. A 35-yard field goal as the half ended got BYU on the board.
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