This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
East Lansing, Mich. • BYU helped honor on Saturday a couple of former Michigan State players who recently passed away.
The Cougars placed bouquets of roses at the 3- and 6-yard lines before the game in recognition of the jersey numbers worn by former Spartans Mike Sadler, a punter, and Mylan Hicks, a defensive back.
Also, BYU captains Taysom Hill, Kai Nacua, Jamaal Williams and Harvey Langi presented the flowers to Michigan State's captains before the coin toss. Hicks' No. 6 was painted at midfield.
Spartans' coach Mark Dantonio and many players attended Hicks' funeral on Friday in Detroit. The 23-year-old member of the Calgary Stampeders was shot and killed Sept. 25 outside a nightclub in Calgary.
Sadler died in a car crash in Wisconsin in July. His No. 3 was painted on the midfield logo for the Wisconsin game on Sept. 24.
Langi plays linebacker
Langi returned to his former position on Saturday. No, the BYU defender didn't go back to playing running back, as he did in high school and for the University of Utah. Langi played middle linebacker in obvious running situations — filling in for the injured Butch Pau'u — and at his customary defensive end spot in obvious passing situations.
When Langi was at defensive end, sophomore Adam Pulsipher or sophomore Phillip Amone played middle linebacker.
Pau'u, BYU's leading tackler, missed his second straight game with a sprained knee. He was especially missed on Michigan State's first drive, when the Spartans drove 72 yards in 15 plays for a touchdown and the Cougars missed several tackles on the possession.
The Cougars' defense allowed just 33 yards the rest of the first half.
Cougars shorthanded again
Pau'u wasn't the only BYU starter who couldn't play.
Offensive lineman Ului Lapuaho sat out for the fourth straight game.
Defensive lineman Tomasi Laulile suffered an undisclosed injury in practice last week and did not make the trip.
Cornerback Troy Warner (hamstring) also did not play, and linebacker Sae Tautu missed the first half because he was ejected for targeting in the Toledo game last week.
Backup safety Sam Baldwin is also injured and did not play.
Michigan State played without linebackers Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke, while defensive tackle Malik McDowell missed the first half while serving a suspension for a targeting penalty in the second half of last week's 24-21 overtime loss to Indiana.
Briefly
Chad Lewis, Doug Henstrom and Vaha Ongoongotau carried out the alumni flags for BYU. Offensive lineman Parker Dawe and defensive back Cody Stewart brought out the team flags and backup offensive lineman JJ Nwigwe carried the American flag. … The Cougars lost the coin toss and Michigan State deferred to the second half. The Cougars were 0-2 in games when they lost the toss. … The Cougars entered the game with a 4-8-1 record against the Big Ten. All but four of those games were bowl games. The wins were against Nebraska (2015), Penn State (1992), Michigan (1994) and Wisconsin (1980).
Twitter: @drewjay