A 35-yard field goal from Brayden El-Bakri as time expired in the first half put BYU on the board, but Michigan State leads 7-3 at the break.
The Spartans ran the ball on its last 13 consecutive plays of the half, last passing on fourth-and-2 (5-yard catch by Donnie Corley on MSU's first drive of the first quarter).
Tyler O'Connor is 6-of-9 for 46 yards for Michigan State.
Gerald Holmes has 12 carries for 53 yards and the lone touchdown for the Spartans. L.J. Scott has three carries for nine yards, while O'Connor has a six-yard run.