MICHIGAN — It took a few weeks, but perhaps BYU is beginning to find its offensive stride under new head coach Kalani Sitake and new offensive coordinator Ty Detmer.
After a stale first half at Michigan State, the Cougars found the end zone four times in the second half to record a big 31-14 win in Big Ten country.
Jamaal Williams, who set records with his five touchdown performance last week at home against Toledo, was right back to his effective self on the ground. The senior scored twice in the fourth quarter, and he piled up another 163 career rushing yards.
Williams is well on his way to becoming the leading rusher in program history.
Michigan State scored on their opening drive, but wouldn’t score again until late when the game was already out of hand. The Spartans did lead 7-3 at the half after the Cougars gambled and failed on a couple of 4th down tries.
But in the second half Taysom Hill gave the Cougars their first lead after finding Colby Pearson midway through the third quarter. Hill would later follow up with a 12-yard keeper to begin the final quarter. A Michael Davis interception then set up William’s first score to put BYU up 24-7, and they would cruise onto their third win of the season from there.
The win puts BYU back at .500 with a record of 3-3, and they next host Mississippi State on Friday night. The 14 point margin was also the first game all season where the Cougar’s failed to win or lose by a spread of more than three points.
