The Spartans went backwards on their second drive.
Tyler O’Connor had trouble fielding the first snap of the drive, and the ball got away from him. O’Connor was able to fall on the ball, but not before a loss of nine. A holding penalty then brought up a second-and-28. O’Connor threw an incomplete pass — an illegal shift was called on MSU, but declined — bringing up third down. He then scampered for five yards, coming up well short of the first down. Jake Hartbarger’s 42-yard punt was downed at the BYU 44-yard line, where the Cougars will begin their third drive down 7-0.