The Michigan State Spartans received the opening kickoff, but had to punt after going three-and-out after three straight rushes. The Golden Gophers took the field and a Marqueis Gray completion to D'Jon McKnight went 64 yards for a touchdown, putting the Spartans in an early deficit. But they didn't lay down and accept it - Kirk Cousins hit B.J. Cunningham on the next drive with a 69-yard completion, taking it all the way to the Minnesota six-yard line. Cousins eventually hit Keith Nichol for a four-yard touchdown and a Dan Conroy extra point tied the game at 7-7.
After a Minnesota punt, the Spartans shot themselves in the foot. Edwin Baker went for a rush, lost four yards and fumbled the ball, allowing Minnesota to take over at the MSU 26-yard line. Gray eventually hit McKnight for a 13-yard touchdown and the Jordan Wettstein extra point was good, putting the Golden Gophers up 14-7.
Michigan State ended the quarter with a Le'Veon Bell 21-yard rush, so they are driving, but trail 14-7 heading into the second.