After falling behind by 20 points, Michigan State staged a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter to beat Baylor by a score of 42–41.
Baylor, being the home team, wore an all green uniform with a gold chrome helmet (previously worn during their thrilling 61–58 win over TCU).
After driving the ball to midfield, quarterback Bryce Petty hit KD Cannon for a 49-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven.
After stalled drives by both teams, Baylor tied the game on a 53-yard pass by wide receiver Jay Lee to Corey Coleman with 2:32 remaining in the quarter.
On third down Connor Cook attempted to option the ball to RJ Shelton, but the pass fell behind Williams and resulted in a loss of five yards.
With the ball, Baylor drove down the Spartan goal line and scored on a Bryce Petty QB sneak.
After a MSU three and out Baylor drove down and got in position for a 46-yard field goal by Callahan, giving the Bears a 34–14 lead with 11:23 remaining in the third.
On a key play of the second half, Cook hit Shelton on a shallow crossing pattern for a 19-yard gain.
Baylor's next drive began with Shilique Calhoun sacking and forcing a Petty fumble, which was recovered by the Bears.
Five plays later Petty hit wide open backup offensive guard LaQuan McGowan for an 18-yard TD, which set off a wild celebration amongst the Baylor sideline and their fans throughout AT&T Stadium.
On the ensuing kick-off, MSU kicker Kevin Cronin executed a successful onside kick (recovered by Jermaine Edmonson).
With the ball and momentum, Cook connected down the Baylor sideline with Aaron Burbridge for a 39-yard gain to the Bears' 14 yard line.
The ensuing play gave Baylor all of the momentum back as Connor Cook threw an interception to linebacker Taylor Young, who returned the ball all the way to the end zone for an apparent touchdown.
Six plays later Baylor would give the ball back to Michigan State after failing to convert on fourth down from the MSU 39.
Williamson began to return the ball for MSU and was aided by a block on Chris Callahan by Tony Lippett.
Bowl chairman Dan Novakov awarded MSU head coach Mark Dantonio the Field Scovell Trophy in a post game ceremony.
Despite losing, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and linebacker Taylor Young were awarded offensive and defensive MVP respectively.