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PROVO — When looking at BYU’s schedule this year everyone knew the first eight games were going to be tough with each game, for the most part, being a could-go-either-way game. That was except for the Michigan State game in East Lansing on Oct. 8th. Well, turns out after six games of that opening stretch BYU is now 3-3 with their biggest win coming against the Michigan State Spartans.
The first half wasn’t great for the Cougars and BYU went into half time down 7-3 after scoring a field goal at the end of the second quarter.
The second half was a very different story, however, and both the BYU offense and defense came out firing on all cylinders. The defense started forcing three and outs and the offense was moving the ball on each drive.
A lot of Cougars had solid games, but the running game was the X factor and QB Taysom Hill looked like the dominating athlete we all remember and love.
Hill didn’t end the game with phenomenal numbers, 138 through the air with one TD and another 47 on the ground with another TD, but what the stats don’t say is that Hill made big plays for first downs and gave the Cougars the spark they needed.
Hill took control of the game, but the defense showed up to play as well. They held the Spartans to only 85 rushing yards and 14 points at home. The defense came up with big plays when they needed them like this Michael Davis interception in the fourth that set up another BYU TD.
Yes, Davis then did get a pass interference called against him that put MSU on the 2 yard line, but we won’t hold that against him. He still had a great game.
Along with Hill’s performance we had great night’s from the BYU running back’s with Squally Canada running for 50 yards and a TD as well as Jamaal Williams having another big night with 163 yards and two TD’s.
Canada looked like a freight train dragging what looked like the entire Michigan State defense a couple of times.
Then Williams just had his way with the MSU defense at times.
BYU finished the night with 398 yards of total offense while the defense held MSU to just 206. Every game this year has been a nail biter, but this is the first game BYU was performing on both sides of the ball and put MSU away early.
Next up for BYU is a home game against the SEC team Mississippi State on Friday, Oct. 14th at 8:15 MDT.
Also, here’s a punter for good measure:
John has been writing about movies, news, sports and pretty much anything awesome for more than five years. John is the co-host of the Flix Junkies podcast and will always entertain you with his stories.
