For the first time under head coach Dan Mullen, the Mississippi State University Bulldogs recorded their first loss with a lead after the third quarter. Despite a strong defensive performance, the 23-20 last-second defeat to Auburn left MSU still in search for answers.
Defensively, MSU held strong until the last two minutes of the game. Linebacker Benardrick McKinney said the defense shut down Auburn’s run game, but it must work on finishing out performances.
“We just have to finish. The defense played hard the whole game. We just didn’t finish. That is it,” he said. “Our defensive plan every game is to stop the run. I knew our defensive backs would be able to shut down the pass, so I knew if we stopped the run, we would help the defense.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott earned his second start of the season in the loss and threw for a career-high 213 yards and rushed for 133. Despite the close loss, Prescott said the Bulldogs need to turn their focus to the Troy Trojans.
“We did some good things. We just have to finish on the smaller things and finish the game out,” he said. “(Troy is) good. They’re sound. They have some good players with some experienced guys up front, and they’ll be ready to play.”
Quarterback Tyler Russell is still listed as questionable after suffering a concussion in the season-opener and has not been cleared for contact. 
Last season, MSU knocked off Troy on the road 30-24, and Mullen said his team is switching attention to a team who has a similar-style offense as Auburn.
“Last year, obviously, it was a very, very exciting game against (Troy), coming right down to the wire. And they have a lot of those guys back,” he said. “Their quarterback is special, college football’s active career passing leader. He’s a very explosive player.”
For Mullen, this week’s practice will be pivotal to gauge his team’s progress in preparation.
“We’ve got to get back to work. Hopefully they come out with a little chip on their shoulders,” he said. “To be successful you have to react, you have to respond to that type of loss, with the desire to get back out there on the field and get back to work and work harder at things.”
Mullen also said his team is eager to return home. The Bulldogs will spend their next six weeks in Starkville. 
“It’s very critical for us to win at home,” Mullen said. “That’s a standard you have to set no matter who you’re playing. You can see how difficult it is to play on the road in the SEC.”