Even when the breaks went BYU's way, the Cougars could not convert miscues into points. First there was a first quarter interception by BYU linebacker J.C. VonCohn which was fumbled 20-yards later. Then linebacker Steve Kaufusi beat OSU's quarterback in a footrace to recover an errant snap. Jason Buck had four sacks and fellow defensive tackle Shawn Knight picked up two more sacks, but none of them came during the Beaver scoring drives.
The Cougars seemed to lose steam in the third quarter after Steve Lindsley threw his second interception of that period and defensive back Scott Peterson suffered a concussion on the OSU sideline.
BYU's lone score came in the second quarter on a Lake Heimuli plunge. And BYU's Richard Hobbs blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter.
After OSU was intercepted in the endzone during the fourth quarter, reserve quarterback Bob Jensen tried to rally the Cougars--all in vain.
BYU now 6-3 overall following this non-conference battle.
Source:1987 BYU media guide